It's NOT just the CAMERA !!!!

Hi,

OK, I had a few minutes last week, and decided to check

out CraigsList and"see whats goin on". I used to find some

work of of C/L, but for the last year or so it seems to be

a haven for wannabees and scammers, but it's interesting

and sometimes there's something worthwhile.

Anyway, one of the postings was for somebody looking for

a student, intern or someone with a "good camera" to take

a series of product photos of power toools.

I replied, and said that while I wasn't a student or intern,

I was a professional, my prices are competetive, and that

I have been shooting products for many years, and directed

her to my website (tricky how I sneaked in those blue letters, huh)

to see some of my work.

Well, this "Self professed advertising & packaging guru, expert and

bon-vivant" (who sounded like she was 12) responded since this

was ONLY for the PACAKGING professional photographs WEREN'T

NECESSARY, since people only throw away the packaging anyway,

and well, they're JUST tools after all.

Can you beleive this.

Hundreds of millions of dollars are spent annually by major corps.

to design, photograph, refine, test, study and otherwise tweak

packaging so that it makes the most impact within it's segment.

But this person knows better, and all she needs is a good camera

for the packaging photos.

Well, I did a test. For image # 1, I took a "good camera" one of my

older, mid-range Digital Single Lens Reflex (DSLR) cameras, approx.

10 MegaPixels, and took a product from one of my clients, and

shot it on a piece of white paper, using only the built-in

flash and the basic camera controls.

Here's the result, basic, but shot with a

"good camera." The sad part, is that this is

accepteble to many people that just don't

know any better.

Now, for the fun part.

Since I shoot a lot of tools like this for the South

American Division of some major tool

companies, I like to think I kinda know what I

I'm doing. I shoot almost all of the basic images

as "silos" on a white background so that they

can be put on other backgrounds as needed.

This next shot shows the basic rig I use for

suspending the drill, which allows me a lot

more flexability in lighting and angle.

(they're VERY specific about the angle)

Now, this rig is something I have to set-up, and

varies depending on what I'm shooting. But it does

take a bit of knowledge and some time to set it up.

The next shot shows the overall set up with the

tabletop set, the camera, computer and some

of the lighting. If you look closely at the monitor,

you can see the drill.

Now, here's where we "deviate somewhat"

I have been doing this for a looooong time.

I'm not a "student or intern", so I can make use

of what I have available.

Most "students or interns" are not going to have

the equipment I have. Not unless Mom & Dad

are very well off.

For the final image I used my usual, "Up to"

49 MegaPixel (yes Martha, 49MP, and it's not

available at Brands Mart) equivalent, digital

scan back, and approx. 4500 watts of

continuous lighting. (yes, thats 4500 watts,

my electric meter is whirling like a dervish)

Here's a version of the final delivered image.

It was a 65 Mb file, at 300dpi, and will be

appearing on South American packaging soon.

As far as image quality, there's no comparison.

While I may not have convinced the woman I was

e-mailing with, fortunately, I have a great group

of clients that know the difference, and can appreciate

the difference.

I saved her e-mail address, and I'm going to send her a link to this blog post.

I'll let you know if anything happens..

Till next time. As my Dad always said, If you can't be good, ya gotta

be good at it !

C-ya

Some new stuff

Hi folks,

Well, I've got PICTURES!!!!

Todays images run the gamut from "politically incorrect" to

wow, what a cool idea.

The one with the lovely lady & the gun is from an ad and poster

that will be printed soon and will be "on display" at the SHOT

(Shooting Hunting & Outdoor Trades) Show in Las Vegas

in Jan. '10. and apperaing in a gun magazine near you.

Nothing sells an American made assault rifle like a pretty girl

in a flag bikini.

And while it may not be "your cuppa tea" it is really good

product & people Photography. The gun looks great and well , Aspen ALWAYS looks great.

And, you can see another image from the shoot at my site

(I just love those blue letters!)

This next one is from a new client,

"Claudias Cool Hats"

Claudia Seggal is one of those people, that when you meet them you know this is a wonderful person.

She's a Cancer Survivor and the cool thing about the hats, is that the wig's "built in".

For women undergoing treatment, they just have to throw on the hat & they're "stylin & good to go" with a minimum of fuss. I think it's a great idea

and she will be launching her website sometime in Dec.

I'll keep you posted and let you know.

Well, that's all for now,

C-YA

The first one...

Well, I'm blogging.

Whoda thunk.

As all of my young, internet-savvy friends have told me, blogging is the cornerstone of "the new social media".
And of course, by blogging I'll drive more traffic to my site. And if Idrive enough traffic to my site, I'll be wealthy, thin & happy beyond my wildest dreams.

At least that's what they want me to beleive.

Knowing my luck and the current state of the economy, the only traffic I'll get is someone
that wants to pay me in ramen noodles,after 30 days of course.

I'm trying not to rant here, it's soooo hard.

Anyway, that's it for now.

As soon as I get together with my web guru and figure this thing out a little better,
I'll be posting some images & links,(like to my site using these cleverly disguised blue words...)
and other interesting stuff.

So long,

Mike Z.