Studio shooting from the company KOLORO
Successful photography is a combination of the photographer’s professionalism and quality studio equipment. Artistic photography carries a certain message, it shows the world the author sees. Its purpose is to make a person look at it and find something new every time. Advertising photography, on the contrary, should convey its main message as quickly as possible.
Types of studio photography
Advertising and staging photography can be both subject photography (only the product is in the frame) and with the involvement of models. Each photographer has his own specialization, there is usually something that he does better. The more specific a photographer’s work is, the more knowledgeable they are about their industry. Therefore, you need someone who specializes in subject photography. A wedding, club or fashion photographer is not suited to work with inanimate objects.
There are two types of object photography : a photo of an isolated object or in a certain relationship with a group of other objects. Photos of isolated objects on a white background are made for presentations to customers of the product or for online stores and catalogs. This method allows you to maximize the focus on the product.
The second option is more commonly used in photos for promotional materials. Here you need a vivid picture that will sell the product. The point is that after one look, a person will want to possess the product, be it a dress, a watch, a bottle of perfume or chocolate. This result is the responsibility of the project creation team.
Subject photography: challenges and solutions
The main task of subject photography is for the photographer to reproduce the color, shape, texture of the object, its properties and the quality of the material from which it is made. These photos are used in advertising magazines, booklets, presentations for clients.
If the subject photography is required for further printing of these images, it is usually done 3-4 months before they are published in magazines or on big boards. It takes 3-4 days to organize a photo shoot, a full shooting day lasts 8 hours. The footage is usually about 1000-1500, the best ones (10-20) are selected, retouched and printed.
The process of organizing studio photography is a complex and time-consuming one. The most important thing is to have a detailed list and to be thorough with all the details. Because if you forget some little thing like napkins, which should be part of the entourage – everything can go to waste. To prevent this from happening you need to describe everything in great detail in the brief – the project scenario.
In addition, you should be prepared for unforeseen force majeure circumstances that are not spelled out in the brief. The team should be interchangeable, it is desirable to discuss the process with the photographer and models in advance – this will help to save time and get a result that will not disappoint anyone.
The basic components of a studio shoot:
- Brief;
- Photographer;
- models;
- A team of stylists and makeup artists (chef, food stylist if food is involved);
- the project manager and his team;
- Props.
This is by no means an exhaustive list. It all depends on what exactly is being filmed, what is the goal and budget of the project.
ADVANTAGES OF STUDIO PHOTOGRAPHY:
Turning to the photo studio the client gets not only a photographer, but also a good technique. Another bonus is a team that knows how to work with it. The photo studio also has a base of makeup artists, stylists and other people whose help is needed in creating the final product.
Often, however, clients have their own team. In that case, you may only need a photographer or equipment from the studio. There are some undeniable advantages to working in a studio rather than an open space.
- Light. Shooting in a studio gives you the opportunity to create a lighting character that will suit a particular project. With the technique, you can set up the perfect lighting and not depend on weather conditions.
- Additional Techniques. Smoke machines, wind blowers, special filters and camera nozzles – equipment that makes it easier to realize ideas. Another plus is the ability to customize the background. The photo studio also provides options for retouching finished photos and printing them.
- Comfort. Working in the studio is much more comfortable than working outside. The client and team are not weather dependent, any conditions can be recreated if desired, even rain and snow. Also unlike parks or rooftops, there are facilities for comfortable breaks. In the studio, the process is usually faster due to a more predictable script. Shooting will not be hindered by passing gawkers or gusts of wind.
Food stylists as part of advertising photography
A food stylist is a person who creates appetizing images of food. Abroad is all he does and no photography. In Ukraine there is no such division, most stylists are also photographers. Food images are needed for product packaging , restaurant menus, cookbooks and magazines, and POS materials.
There has been a food styling industry overseas for a long time. It usually comes from culinary schools. In Ukraine, this is still only a part of the advertising industry. Food photography is handled by several professionals (up to 20 people), the centers are Kiev, Odessa, Lviv and Kharkiv. It is the food stylists who are responsible for the gorgeous food images we see on posters and packages.
Most people are convinced that photo and TV commercials do not use real products, but moulages and substitutes (PVA glue instead of milk). But that’s not entirely true. In America, it is illegal by law to pass off inedible products as food. There is no such law in Ukraine.
Photographers try to show products as naturally as possible, and resort to the least amount of manipulation. However, there are problematic products, such as beer. It loses its appearance very quickly, the foam sags, the glass fogs up. They may pour sunflower oil instead of real beer.
And for the shine of the fruit, you don’t have to spray them with hairspray, it’s much easier to brush on some sunflower oil and rub it in. There are special sprays that are sprayed on bottles to produce frosty patterns.
Before putting a picture of the dish together, the food stylist carefully considers everything, makes sketches and sketches. The photographer may shoot not the product itself, but its “stand-in” while he or she selects the most successful angle. It is only after good angles have been identified that the main product comes into play.
Results
Organizing a photo shoot without outside help and contacts is difficult. It will take a lot of nerve, careful monitoring of the process, and extreme attention to detail.
Photography is an investment. It will be placed on advertising platforms, and “sell” the product. Therefore, you should not skimp on it.
KOLORO branding agency creates advertising masterpieces. Contact us and photos of your product on billboards and citylights will leave no one indifferent!
