Creating Filters From Everyday Objects

Computer programs and apps have been developed to make life easier for photographers. From Photoshop to Instagram, editing a photograph post-production has never been easier. However, veteran photographers who’ve been around before the emergence of these apps have had the opportunity to create their own filters with everyday objects. For those who want to try it out, here are some examples.

           Image source: Rgbstock.com

Negatives of colored film can simply be held up in front of the camera lens, and it becomes an instant filter. The only challenge though is finding negatives of colored film nowadays.

Cellophane is a favorite of film directors and cinematographers. To create a different aura indoors, photographers would cover entire windows in cellophane. Outdoors though, they can just wrap the lens with cellophane. They can also be mixed for a more surreal image.

Wine glasses may not be the first thing that comes to mind when people mention DIY filters, but it makes for a magical shot. The trick though is experimenting with it. Move it for a more blurred image if so desired.

                        Image source: Slrphotographyguide.com

Drapes are obviously for indoor shots. Light-colored drapes that allow light to enter and those with designs will change indoor images dramatically.

Charles Nucci is a professional photographer. He is the founder and head photographer of Nucci Studios Photography. Learn more about his studio’s products and services by visiting this website.

More Pro Tips On Becoming a Well-Rounded Photographer

Any accomplished photographer will be the first to testify that technology is no replacement for a great eye. Any established photographer will caution greenhorns of how steep and tough the competition has become. The fact of the matter is anyone can point and shoot, but true photographers know the craft inside out. Here are a two more tips on how one can hone their skills and become a complete photographer.

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Practice

Everyone’s heard the timeless adage of how practice makes perfect. The reason such a simple saying endures is that it is an absolute truth. In many of man’s endeavors, an ample amount of practice is needed to improve. The same thing applies to photography. Today’s photographers are very fortunate that with digital technology, they can shoot all the photos for practice and not have to pay for them at all. This should be taken advantage of.

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Study

Photography is a very technical art. There are many things people should learn to master the craft. From lighting, equipment, and filtering to scheduling shoots and talking to clients, there are many things a photographer can learn to be more well-rounded. Plus, there are so many kinds of photography that it is practically an endless adventure, with so much to learn.


Seasoned professional photographer Charles Nucci is the founder of Nucci Studios Photography, which specializes in advertising, product, and editorial photography. Click here for similar articles.

Current Trends In Photography To Pay Attention To

Many new photographers should have no problems with advancements in the field, as modern technology complements and makes it easier to draw out their skills and talents. These technologies won’t stop arriving, and the world will only get smaller. And if new photographers are to really break into the industry, they must understand and keep pace with emerging trends. Here are some developments to keep in mind.

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One is to accept that even though digital photography is all the rage, making photography more instant and portable via our smartphones, film hasn’t gone away. Many are anticipating a robust return to film photography in the next few years, as photographers seek to further hone the craft, like shooting one-off images. Teachers will always embrace film, anyway, as it goes back to the importance of discipline and working with light.

Lomo photography and the vintage, faded look became popular with the rise of filters on apps like Instagram. But that style has seen better days. Color is making a comeback in a big way, with more bold, vibrant combinations. It won’t go as far as to say neon will return, but hot pink and vivid yellows will become more common.

On the other hand, there will be more black & whiteshots in the next few years, particularly in post-production, showcasing more timeless shots driven by solid techniques. Serious photographers might want to pay attention to this to best develop tone and depth.

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Finally, know that the hashtag #nofilter is no joke. In fact, Getty states that “real” documentary-style aesthetics will become the norm in the market, appealing most to millennials who want more relatable, non-made-up images.

Charles Nucci is a seasoned professional photographer with more than 15 years of experience. He specializes in advertising, product, and editorial photography. For more news and updates in the world of photography, visit this LinkedInpage.

Product Photography: Of Great Detail and Critical Lighting

Photographers need not be afraid of taking close-up shots of products. Although product photography is way different from capturing photos of living subjects up close, it is a great way for photographers to get creative with their play of space and detail. With the right approach and great styling, taking close-up shots of products can make a lot of difference.

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Requiring great attention to detail and critical lighting skills, product photographers find themselves a lot closer to the subject than most instances. With the camera’s aperture working like a pupil of an eye, adjusting it accordingly lets in the right amount of light that would create an image or a photograph. A good understanding of how aperture works affects the success of anyone or any company who would like to communicate their products well to the audience, especially if they rely heavily on photography.
Understanding the full scope of aperture as compared to being tied to specific settings would let a product photographer become a problem solver as they experiment while shooting. Critical lighting won’t put a photographer in a box, rather make them more creative with their use of it. Breaking away from the basic and coming up with new ideas will keep clients wanting more. Paying attention to texture and shapes in the subject would give them strong and colorful impact.
Most product images have a higher aperture to keep the whole product in focus. In shooting solid products, lighting is king.

Image source: digital-photography-school.com

Charles Nucci is a seasoned professional photographer who specializes in advertising, editorial, and product photography. He is the founder and head photographer of Nucci Studios. For more photography tips, visit this blog.

Best editing software for product photography

Essential in photography, particularly product photography, is the post-processing of raw images to maintain the high quality of photographs. Photo editing can be as subtle as touch-ups or as intense as the enhancement of colors or the addition of layers.

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Discussed below are some of the best software for editing of photos:

Adobe Photoshop

Considered “the mother of all photo editors” and “the one editor to rule them all,” Photoshop has a plethora of tools that allow users to get the most out of their images. There are also countless guides available in the Internet for those who are not yet adept in using the software.

GIMP

The GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) is one of most popular free editing applications. It has helped users for more than two decades now. Because it is an open source program, it can be installed in any operating system, including Windows, Mac, and Linux. While it is still not on the level of Photoshop, it has the necessary features for product photography.

Fotor

Also a free photo editing software, Fotor can be accessed through an Internet browser, which means that it does not require installation and can be used on the go. It has the basic editing tools, however, its High Dynamic Range (HDR) feature allows editors apply the best lighting for their images.

Image source: fitsmallbusiness.com

Seasoned professional photographer Charles Nucci is the founder of Nucci Studios Photography, which specializes in advertising, product, and editorial photography. Click here for similar articles.

Recommended Cameras For Product Photography

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It’s important that any business merchandise comes with the best photos to make them more enticing and sellable. The ideal is to hire a professional product photographer, of course, but it doesn’t hurt to look up the needed gear and know what works best.

Budget is often the first thing to consider in this regard, and high-end DLDR cameras cost thousands of dollars. This is with good reason, as they come with interchangeable lenses (which are expensive necessities on their own). Everybody in the industry uses DLSRs as they offer the best quality, come with their own accessories, and offer customizing and future expandability.

You need not overspend for the camera, though. Cheaper point-and-shoot or the mixed variety are slowly becoming good, emergency options. The features are limited in point-and-shoot, just like Instamatic cameras of old, but the optics are okay. These will work if you need to use or post photos in a rush.

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Mixed DLSR and point-and-shoot cameras are better options. There’s no viewfinder in these; you look into a mirrorless display just like in a digital camera. And lenses are not available. But they are more portable and lightweight.

By the way, don’t be baited by cameras boasting of very high megapixels, as these don’t necessarily mean clearer pictures. At a given point, pixels just become noise because onboard sensors can’t handle them. There’s no need for such unless you’re printing photos for huge tarpaulins and the like.

Charles Nucci is a professional photographer from San Francisco specializing in high-end product photography. He is a member of both American Photographic Artists and the American Society of Media Photographers. For more on his work and services, visit the Nucci Studio Photography website.

Positive Results In Negative Space Product Photography

Negative space is a familiar element for many commercial photographers. Usually in the form of a stark white background, the purpose of negative space is to draw attention toward the subject of the photograph or to add a dramatic effect. Thus, negative space is an indispensable part of commercial photography, especially when products are involved.

Although negative space can come in many colors (either by utilizing a bare sky or utilizing the out-of-focus bokeh in the background), most of the negative space in product photography involves white or black backgrounds within a studio, all of which are meant to both highlight the product in full and make it easy for the design team to crop out.

Image source: bigcommerce.com

Some products can easily be photographed in a small white background, which can be economically set up by amateurs. Others, such as clothing that needs to be worn, may require a larger white background and a complex, room-sized setup.

Capturing a solid color background can be challenging for the novice photographer. Lighting must be of the correct intensity and diffusion, low enough to prevent needless reflections and bright enough to make the entire product visible. Especially for images meant to be cropped and edited, care should be taken to minimize shadows and reflections. The camera’s ISO must match with the Kelvin temperature of the lights used.

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Because white is the standard for negative space in advertisements, it could pose a challenge when photographing white-colored objects. Carefully lighting both the backdrop and the object can create sufficient contrast between the two spaces to showcase the product in its natural color while creating a distinction with its background.

Charles Nucci is a professional photographer with extensive experience in product photography. Visit his website for more on him and his work.