THE FOTO MACHINA 2021 GIFT GUIDE TO YOURSELF
If you’re a photographer looking to get into product photography, or an online vendor with the means to build your own set up, gifting yourself with a few key pieces of gear can make a world of difference to your final output. And the best part is, you don’t have to spend a fortune to up your photography game.
For the purposes of this list, we’ll assume you already have a camera to work with and some basic lighting. And if you add these five items to your home studio, you’re that much closer to producing your own professional quality product shots.
Here are our top 5 recommendations to elevate your product photography set up. Plus there’s a bonus at the end that pretty much guarantees you amazing product shots!
Manfrotto 190go! Aluminum M-Series Tripod with MHXPRO-BHQ2 XPRO Ball Head
A good tripod is arguably the most important piece of kit for any product photographer, second only to the camera itself. There are ways to hack lighting and editing, but there’s no substitute for having a tripod. Compact and versatile, Manfroto’s 190go! Aluminum M-Series Tripod offers amazing value. The M-Lock System makes it super easy to set up and take down.
It’s incredibly portable at 45 centimeters, or 17.7 inches, when folded. Fully extended, it has a maximum height of 1.5 meters, or 59.8 inches, including the center column. And because of its aluminum construction, it weighs a mere 1.6 kilos, or 3.7 pounds, and can support 15 kilos, or 33.1 pounds, of gear.
A single 90° twist on its M-Lock System deploys the individual leg sections. Four independent leg sections let you work on uneven ground, while the D-shaped aluminum tubes offer greater torsional support for greater stability. An Easy Link attachment extends its versatility so you can attach accessories like an LED light or reflector without the need for an additional stand.
We love that it’s perfect for working with flatlays. Just position the center column at a 90° angle parallel to the ground, and you’ve got a minimum height of just 3.5 feet to work with.
The 190go! comes with the XPRO Magnesium Ball Head, featuring an integrated RC2 quick release cam lock. It’s equipped with a safety catch to prevent quick release plates from accidentally disconnecting, while the 200PL-14 Quick Release Plate comes a rubberized, non-slip surface. The spring-loaded lever allows for quick release and reattachment.
The ball-and-socket joint makes movement easy, whether you need the camera on a swivel, angled, or fully tilted. A secondary locking knob lets you rotate the head 360°. You can even use it with other tripods or support systems that feature a 3/8"-16 mount.
Lantern Softbox
Good lighting is critical factor in any kind of photography. And when it comes to product photography, you need to keep your lighting consistent. That’s why professional studios always have a controlled lighting environment—like a light box for small items or a full lighting set up for larger products—which allows them to bring out every single detail.
A lantern softbox approximates the effect of a Chinese lantern and can light an entire space. The Godox CS-85D in particular has a 270° beam angle ideal for product shoots, as well as video recording and live streaming, giving you soft, even omni-directional lighting.
It comes equipped with an industry standard Bowens mount, which makes it fully compatible with any Bowens mount flash or continuous light. If you want a little more control of your lighting, opt for the detachable 4-section skirt, which you can roll up and down to block out any unwanted bouncing light.
The CS-85D is made with pro-grade, heat-resistant fabric, and sealable venting. You can set it up in seconds and comes with a durable nylon carrying bag, making it good piece of kit when you’re on the go.
Adobe Creative Cloud Photography Plan
Having great product shots doesn’t end after taking the shot. Post-production is all too often overlooked, and yet it’s an absolutely vital step in the process. Every single photo still needs retouching to get rid of any unwanted noise and making sure everything is color accurate.
The Adobe Creative Could Photography Plan comes with Photoshop and Photoshop Lightroom; both indispensable tools for any photographer. They boast intuitive interfaces and are loaded with powerful editing features accessible through mobile, desktop, or web. It’s everything you need to crop, edit, and combine photos, and you can create your own presets for added productivity.
The Creative Cloud ecosystem allows you to seamlessly work between Adobe apps. Plus the basic Photography plan includes 20GB of cloud storage—upgradable to 1TB—, which lets you access and edit your photos on the go. Since the desktop apps are installed directly on your computer, you don’t need to be online to run them.
At around P650 a month, this is incredible value, especially if you’re regularly producing content. If you’re still unsure, Adobe offers a free 7-day trial before you purchase.
Color-Accurate Monitor
Now that you’ve got the software covered, you’re going to need the hardware to match. That means a monitor calibrated for photo editing, one that’s high contrast and maximizes clarity.
Your usual consumer-level monitors aren’t equipped with the same panel technology as those used by professionals. These have a broader pre-calibrated color spectrum for pro-level color precision, uniform levels of brightness, and wider viewing angles. And while you may be tempted to go for 4K, a monitor with 2K resolution is more than enough to suit your purposes. It will also save you money.
While you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to options for color accurate monitors, we’ve shortlisted it down to 2 that’ll give you the most bang for your buck. These check all the boxes when it comes to peak color accuracy, optimized color calibration, and panel technology.
Option 1. Asus Proart PA278QV.
https://www.lazada.com.ph/products/asus-proart-display-pa278qv-professional-monitor-27-inch-ips-wqhd-2560-x-1440-100-srgb-100-rec-709-color-accuracy-e-2-calman-verified-proart-preset-proart-palette-ergonomic-stand-i1639166805-s7039986359.html?spm=a2o4l.searchlist.list.3.4eec66c7c92IR6&search=1
Option 2. BenQ PD2700Q
https://www.lazada.com.ph/products/benq-pd2700q-27-inch-27-2k-qhd-100-rec709-and-srgb-color-space-designer-eye-care-monitor-i514594967-s1375852043.html?spm=a2o4l.seller.list.45.3c972814SFjg8u&mp=1
Savage Seamless Background Paper
76% of product shots are on white backgrounds, which means if you want to sell on digital marketplaces, shooting against a white backdrop is unavoidable. And while almost any white surface might do, there’s nothing quite like seamless background paper.
We recommend the #01 super white Widetone Seamless Background Paper from Savage. Its non-reflective, fine-tooth finish made with acid-free material facilitates even lighting, letting you photograph people and products against a smooth surface.
At 9 feet by 36 feet, it’s got a whole lot of uses beyond photography and is perfect for events, decorations, banners, and more.
https://www.shuttermaster.com.ph/collections/savage
A Professional Photo Shoot
If you really want to treat yourself, why not invest in hiring a professional photography studio to do the work? They have the expertise and equipment to get it done quickly and with stunning results.
Make sure to double check if they offer extra services like editing and archiving. There are studios that outsource these last few steps, so try to find one that can do all the post production work for you and organize your photos so you can easily sort and choose what you need.
Producing the best quality product photography takes a lot of work. The best part is, high quality doesn’t have to mean high priced. Even if you do decide to hire a professional product photography studio, you’ll find that a single sale can easily cover what you paid for that product shot. Here’s added advice on how to choose one.
What you invest could potentially be worth tenfold. Don’t leave your business to chance, and always make sure your products are shown in the best possible light.