Photography of items for website

[Yangster]

Hopefully there are some experts on here that can help me.

Up until now I have been relying on finding good product images from manufacturers sites etc, but I have just got my own range of packaging produced and need to get professional quality box photos taken for use on my website, tried taking them against a plain white background but just doesnt look right with shadows etc... is there an easy way to do it... i.e. the right lights and background etc...

[Epicurus8a]

http://www.wikihow.com/Create-an-Inexpensive-Photography-Lightbox

[lordsmurf]

Iron a sheet, hang it on the wall. Having a good camera with a hotshoe flash (bounced) helps. I use a Nikon D200 or Nikon D3 for all "studio" shots like this.

What kind of products? Maybe I can help, PM me.

[thecoalman]

The good looking imges are created not photographed except the product itself. There are exceptions but for boxes or boxy type products that will be the case. Use a blue or green screen background, its the same technique used for video. The color is not essential as long as its solid. The key is to use a lot of light so there are no shadows. Use the magic wand on your image editor to select and remove the background, then you can add your own background. Be sure to add shadow.

[lordsmurf]

The good looking imges are created not photographed except the product itself..

That can be true, but the "absolute" statement you've made is false. Commercial photography is one many hats I wear, and have worn for many years. I was doing these kinds of shots longer before digital cameras were affordable, before most people had heard of Photoshop, etc -- all on film and in a darkroom. And I was the "amateur" because I used 35mm insist of medium or large format.