Basic Photography Course

aircraft. It is used extensively to show damaged,

defective, and unsatisfactory equipment-from aircraft
engines to zippers.

The discussion on illustrative photography in this

chapter is limited to those aspects that apply to studio

work. In this sense, illustrative photography should be
considered as product photography. The techniques
given here are not necessarily "locked up" in the studio.
They can be taken outside the confines of the studio and
put to good use in the field.

Product photography, then, is the making of

photographs for the purpose of illustrating or explaining

something about a product, either in whole or in part.

EQUIPMENT

The three types of format cameras and the lighting

units used to accomplish product photography are
discussed in this section.

Camera

The variety of subjects encountered in product

photography requires a camera with a long bellows
extension, vertical and horizontal swing adjustments,
tilt, rising front, and lateral shift and both long- and
short-focal-length lenses. All of these features exist on
a view camera.

The view camera is the primary tool of professional

product photographers. An 8x10 view camera is usually
the largest size in use today. Photographers that want to
produce the highest quality photography use it. Its large
film format and adjustments help to produce clear,
sharp, nearly distortion-free photographs that are in
complete focus.

Large film-format cameras provide high-quality

images because the negatives or transparencies do not
have to be enlarged as much as smaller negatives. A large

film format in and of itself does not necessarily ensure

high-quality product photography. Long tonal range,

from highlights to shadow detail, is required. Lighting
ratios must be calculated and adjusted with care, and

exposure calculations must be precise. Lenses of the
highest quality, which are spotlessly clean, enhance the
photographic quality of any size format.

VIEW CAMERAS.

Most Navy photo labs do not

have an 8x10 view camera; but most of them do have a
4x5 view camera, and you should use it for most product
photography. Whatever view camera you use, it must
be supported on a steady tripod.

MEDIUM-FORMAT CAMERAS.

If for some

reason, such as a need for speed or limited working
space (such as inside the cockpit of an aircraft), a view
camera cannot be used for product photography, then a
medium-format camera should be your next choice.

Some photographers choose other than a
large format camera simply because they are
willing to sacrifice quality for convenience,
rather than use a view camera. They
probably have the attitude of "it's good
enough for government work." Do not fall
into this trap. Instead, always strive to

produce photography of the highest
professional quality. As we have said before,

you will be known by the quality of your

photography more than anything else.
Maintain the attitude that "nothing is too
good for the Navy."

Medium-format cameras can be hand-held, focused

rapidly, and many images can be produced in a relatively
short time. The film size, however, is not as conducive
to high-quality photography as the 8x10 or 4x5 formats.
The main disadvantage of a medium-format camera for
product photography is its lack of adjustments to correct
distortion.

35MM CAMERAS.

Finally, we have the small

format, 35mm camera. Because of its small film size,
many photographers do not even consider it for use in
product photography, particularly in the studio. It does,
however, have its place in product photography,
particularly when a large number of exposures must be
made in rapid succession or when working space is very
limited; for example, inside the intake ducts of a jet
aircraft.

Which of the three format cameras-large, medium,

or small format-should you use for product
photography? There is no best camera to use; there is,
however, only one best camera to use for each
assignment, and you must be able to choose the one that
best meets the needs of the photographic assignment at
hand.

Lights

The lighting equipment most commonly used for

product photography is incandescent lamps and
electronic flash or strobes. All lighting units have one or
several of the following means of controlling light:
reflectors, lenses, barn doors, diffusers, snoots,
umbrellas, or reflector boards.

6-22

contents

Basic Photography Course

<- previous page

next page ->


DOFMaster for Windows On-line Depth of Field Calculator DOFMaster for Mobile Devices On-line Depth of Field Table Hyperfocal Distance Chart Articles FAQ Recommended Books Support Contact Links Home As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.	contents <- previous page next page -> aircraft. It is used extensively to show damaged, defective, and unsatisfactory equipment-from aircraft engines to zippers. The discussion on illustrative photography in this chapter is limited to those aspects that apply to studio work. In this sense, illustrative photography should be considered as product photography. The techniques given here are not necessarily "locked up" in the studio. They can be taken outside the confines of the studio and put to good use in the field. Product photography, then, is the making of photographs for the purpose of illustrating or explaining something about a product, either in whole or in part. EQUIPMENT The three types of format cameras and the lighting units used to accomplish product photography are discussed in this section. Camera The variety of subjects encountered in product photography requires a camera with a long bellows extension, vertical and horizontal swing adjustments, tilt, rising front, and lateral shift and both long- and short-focal-length lenses. All of these features exist on a view camera. The view camera is the primary tool of professional product photographers. An 8x10 view camera is usually the largest size in use today. Photographers that want to produce the highest quality photography use it. Its large film format and adjustments help to produce clear, sharp, nearly distortion-free photographs that are in complete focus. Large film-format cameras provide high-quality images because the negatives or transparencies do not have to be enlarged as much as smaller negatives. A large film format in and of itself does not necessarily ensure high-quality product photography. Long tonal range, from highlights to shadow detail, is required. Lighting ratios must be calculated and adjusted with care, and exposure calculations must be precise. Lenses of the highest quality, which are spotlessly clean, enhance the photographic quality of any size format. VIEW CAMERAS. Most Navy photo labs do not have an 8x10 view camera; but most of them do have a 4x5 view camera, and you should use it for most product photography. Whatever view camera you use, it must be supported on a steady tripod. MEDIUM-FORMAT CAMERAS. If for some reason, such as a need for speed or limited working space (such as inside the cockpit of an aircraft), a view camera cannot be used for product photography, then a medium-format camera should be your next choice. Some photographers choose other than a large format camera simply because they are willing to sacrifice quality for convenience, rather than use a view camera. They probably have the attitude of "it's good enough for government work." Do not fall into this trap. Instead, always strive to produce photography of the highest professional quality. As we have said before, you will be known by the quality of your photography more than anything else. Maintain the attitude that "nothing is too good for the Navy." Medium-format cameras can be hand-held, focused rapidly, and many images can be produced in a relatively short time. The film size, however, is not as conducive to high-quality photography as the 8x10 or 4x5 formats. The main disadvantage of a medium-format camera for product photography is its lack of adjustments to correct distortion. 35MM CAMERAS. Finally, we have the small format, 35mm camera. Because of its small film size, many photographers do not even consider it for use in product photography, particularly in the studio. It does, however, have its place in product photography, particularly when a large number of exposures must be made in rapid succession or when working space is very limited; for example, inside the intake ducts of a jet aircraft. Which of the three format cameras-large, medium, or small format-should you use for product photography? There is no best camera to use; there is, however, only one best camera to use for each assignment, and you must be able to choose the one that best meets the needs of the photographic assignment at hand. Lights The lighting equipment most commonly used for product photography is incandescent lamps and electronic flash or strobes. All lighting units have one or several of the following means of controlling light: reflectors, lenses, barn doors, diffusers, snoots, umbrellas, or reflector boards. 6-22 contents Basic Photography Course <- previous page next page ->	As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
	WWW.DOFMASTER.COM © 2006 Don Fleming. All rights reserved.