13. Shooting Product

The nice thing about photographing a product, rather than a person, is that your setup is (usually) much smaller. For me, this means I can experiment with new lighting and processing techniques much more easily—and without the stress of having a subject waiting while I tweak lights, and so on. So, when I want to try a new lighting technique, I run to Target to buy a cool-looking bottle of cologne or to DSW for an equally cool pair of shoes. When I am done, I return them and get my money back.

Lighting a Product with a Reflective Surface

Case in point: On a scouting trip to Target last year, I found a bottle of Versace Man cologne that had both glass and metallic surfaces. Reflective surfaces are tricky to light, so the bottle ...

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