Any advice on how to take great pictures of finished soap?

[pamperedbodysoaps]

I always thought I was good at taking pictures.... Not doing so well on taking photos of my soaps. How to you take quality pics of your soaps? Thanks in advance...

 

[agriffin]

YOu can make a light box...but I haven't done that successfully...

I simply take my soap outside on a bright sunny day onto the picnic table out back. I use the macro and go from there. Most of my touchup work is done with photoshop.

 

[Deda]

one word: Professional Photographer
ok that's 2 words, but still. My pics suck so bad that a pro was a better investment.

 

[countrygirl@heart]

I made my self a light box, i just search the web on how to make one. I made my light box out of small pvc pipe and bought some cheap white sheets and desk lights.

 

[pamperedbodysoaps]

Good to know... I've never even heard of a light box. I will look up some instructions on-line.. Wow, thanks to all of you for your advice, how nice!

 

[Tabitha]

I agree w/ Deda. Many will do it in exchange for soap too!

 

[Tabitha]

I just looked, you are on etsy! I would go place an add in the alchemy that you are looking for a phtographer. Offer to let them keep the soaps they shoot & offer a small cash payment in addition to the soaps... $10.00. You will get a dozen offers. Then just check out the photos in their portfolios & pick one.

 

[pamperedbodysoaps]

Right on... I didn't even think of doing that. I was thinking prof. photography would be so expensive... You all rock! Thank you!

 

[bathtimebouquets]

I found a great photo box on a blog. It is cheap, simple and made from many items you may already have at home. My other half made it for me. I can really tell a difference between the pictures that I use the box verus not using it. Hope this helps.

http://www.strobist.blogspot.com/2006/0 ... tudio.html


Andrea

 

[Healinya]

I just looked, you are on etsy! I would go place an add in the alchemy that you are looking for a phtographer. Offer to let them keep the soaps they shoot & offer a small cash payment in addition to the soaps... $10.00. You will get a dozen offers. Then just check out the photos in their portfolios & pick one.

Awesome!! Thanks for the info!

 

[dolly777]

I use an light box I made. I cut 2 wholes on the side of a box and covered the inside of it with white paper. Just shine some good light into the wholes and you're set. The key to good photos is not so much the camera, it's all about proper lighting and a steady hand. Natural light is also great for photography.

Hope this helps.

 

[supersoaper3000]

I am a total amateur when it comes to photography. But I have done enough to learn that there is no substitute for sunlight. Take 50 or so pictures and there will be one or two good ones in there :roll:

I also have a friend in Canada who is starting up a photography service, she has been giving me some gorgeous pics in exchange for soap and photo credits ( in fact, she should be getting a package soon-I can't wait to see her pics!!). Anyway, she has a page on Facebook: Photos by Susan Cosgrove

If you don't FB and you would like to learn more, her email is:
[email protected]

If you get frustrated taking your own, try contacting her.

 

[JacquiO]

I've been tempted myself to hire a professional photographer but I opted instead to invest in a better camera and a table top tripod.

On eBay I found a 6.1 megapixel camera with 10X zoom refurbished. Basically I got a $300 camera for $130.

If thinking of purchasing a better camera, which to me pays for itself ten times over compared to paying someone every time you need photos, these are the features you want to look for.

5 megapixels or better.
10X zoom feature
Macro Feature for close-ups. I've gotten beautiful shots of insects with this feature. It really brings the small details into focus.
And you should be able to mount it to a tripod.

I've bought lights with 150watt bulbs for indoor shots but I think outdoor in sunlight looks best. Rather than invest in photography lamps I just purchased some inexpensive shop lights with the metal domes and clamps to clip on over your work area.

Taken using the shop lamps and a black cloth purchased from a local fabric store. I try to to crisscross two or more lamps to avoid shadows:

Taken using the macro feature:

Product photo using outdoor lighting:

I haven't had any type of photography training but with a better camera, use of a steady tripod and some basic tips from a selling on eBay guide I've been able to get really great results. My only problem is that I often forget to disable the time/date stamp. But then I just try to crop them out when I edit and resize.

HTH,
Jacqui