Can A Still Life Photographer Manage Product Photography?
Most professional photographers specialize in narrower niches such as weddings, landscapes, fashion, still life and product photography. This specialization occurs from a natural fact, which is that each of them requires specific equipment, lenses and accessories. As this type of equipment isn't cheap, there's no wonder photographers prefer to invest in one of these segments, in order to build a solid work portfolio. By doing this, they can significantly increase their chances to find more clients, as people who need a certain type of photography tend to choose professionals who have a wealth of experience in that specific niche.
Nonetheless, some of these niches overlap, thus giving these photographers an extra chance of finding new clients. Timothy Hogan - Still Life Photographer, for instance, can handle product photography very well. Both styles call for studio settings, so once you've invested in professional lighting systems and accessories for your still life projects, you're going to be all set for taking excellent photos of various products such as jewelry items, shoes, watches and food packages.
Artificial light is the common element that makes these two niches overlap. In addition, they both use the same type of lenses. You need a shallow depth of field, as this is they only way you can make the main subject detach from the other elements in the image. This means you need f 1.4 or f 1.8 lenses, as they are the ones that are suitable for this type of photography. While f 1.8 ones are available at reasonable prices, if you want to invest in an f 1.4 one, you may need to spend many hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Besides, you may also need some special filters. Again, if you want the best results, you should invest in the best filters you can find. It would be a shame to use very expensive lenses with cheap filters. Cheap glass is surely going to cause lots of aberrations, so your results won't be as good as you may expect. Most professional photographers are aware of this, so they are ready to spend as much as needed, in order to get the best possible gear. This makes them specialize, as the investment is quite large, so not all of them can afford it.
When it comes to lighting solutions and other studio accessories, you should also be prepared to invest in high quality equipment. Once you do this, it makes sense to want to get as many studio photography clients as possible. This is why most still life photographers are more than happy to take product photography projects. There are minor differences between the two styles, but the similarities make them work very well together.
In conclusion, if you intend to become a still life expert, you shouldn't ignore the opportunity of grabbing some product photography jobs. You may need to buy a few more props, but the investment would be minor in comparison with the price of your main pieces of equipment.
Nonetheless, some of these niches overlap, thus giving these photographers an extra chance of finding new clients. Timothy Hogan - Still Life Photographer, for instance, can handle product photography very well. Both styles call for studio settings, so once you've invested in professional lighting systems and accessories for your still life projects, you're going to be all set for taking excellent photos of various products such as jewelry items, shoes, watches and food packages.
Artificial light is the common element that makes these two niches overlap. In addition, they both use the same type of lenses. You need a shallow depth of field, as this is they only way you can make the main subject detach from the other elements in the image. This means you need f 1.4 or f 1.8 lenses, as they are the ones that are suitable for this type of photography. While f 1.8 ones are available at reasonable prices, if you want to invest in an f 1.4 one, you may need to spend many hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Besides, you may also need some special filters. Again, if you want the best results, you should invest in the best filters you can find. It would be a shame to use very expensive lenses with cheap filters. Cheap glass is surely going to cause lots of aberrations, so your results won't be as good as you may expect. Most professional photographers are aware of this, so they are ready to spend as much as needed, in order to get the best possible gear. This makes them specialize, as the investment is quite large, so not all of them can afford it.
When it comes to lighting solutions and other studio accessories, you should also be prepared to invest in high quality equipment. Once you do this, it makes sense to want to get as many studio photography clients as possible. This is why most still life photographers are more than happy to take product photography projects. There are minor differences between the two styles, but the similarities make them work very well together.
In conclusion, if you intend to become a still life expert, you shouldn't ignore the opportunity of grabbing some product photography jobs. You may need to buy a few more props, but the investment would be minor in comparison with the price of your main pieces of equipment.