Product Photography
Catalogs, Websites, Vehicle Wraps, Posters, Billboards.
Craig Augustine Photography.
Appleton Wisconsin.
Product Photography
Product photography includes photographing tangible items for catalogs, sell sheets, websites, vehicle wraps, trade show graphics, menus, posters, and billboards. Challenges to effective product photography involve working with a variety of surfaces such as glass, stainless steel, chrome, fabric, flexible plastic packaging, water, steam and anything else inherent to an item being marketed.
Utmost attention to detail is paramount when photographing products. Things must look their absolute best when placed in front of the camera. Dust, wrinkles, distracting reflections, smudges and other irregularities need to be addressed on set. Adobe Photoshop is a great tool to digitally fix issues in post production that might be impossible to correct in reality, such as a damaged box or a chipped plate. Time in front of the computer can be minimized with the proper attention to detail on set.
My experience with photographing products began over 20 years ago in the studio, using transparency film. At that time we did not have access to the ease of efficient retouching that we do today. Everything had to be right “in camera.” That meant no dust, no wrinkles, no reflections and proper lighting. I have carried that attention to detail with me and continue to exercise diligence when photographing products.
Capturing images for a catalog or a shopping cart website demands consistency. A pure white background with shadowless lighting may be required throughout, or a subtle soft focus drop shadow might help set the item apart from the white background. Lighting techniques for product photography and background treatments vary depending on the desired final result. Fine tuning the images in post production, such as removing unwanted glares, imperfections as well as background adjustments constitute a thorough workflow.
My greatest assets, I believe, are my sense of design, attention to detail and years of experience photographing products for businesses.

Have studio, will travel
A recent project I was involved in was photographing large products on location. The comfort of shooting in a studio, of which I worked in for 10 years, is that EVERYTHING I needed was there, organized and in familiar surroundings. The client comes to me, on my...

What Does New York City Smell Like? (marketing and sense memory)
When it comes to product photography, probably the item most photographed by me has been candles. I have shot all different sizes and fragrances. Some of my favorites are:These fragrances actually smell as they are labeled. The Dirt candle smells like rich soil...

I almost fell for it
I have mentioned more than a few times that I have been a professional commercial advertising photographer for a long time. I have seen advancements in just about everything connected to professional photography. Just when I thought I have seen it all, a request for...