How to Properly Photograph CE Games for use on the site

[twistedsymphony]

My "studio" is very cheap (~$40) and simple, I explain it in the top post. Here are some pictures of what the setup looks like from a little further back.






I've been thinking about adding 2 more lights to help get rid of some of the shadows and improve the natural brightness of the scene, which should improve the clarity of the images a little.

[Xmo]

Thats really nice set up I like it. It looks a lot professional, than my bed lol.

[LowlyAssassin]

Is it a wise idea to use a single.photo source aimed at a photo umbrella to diffuse and reflect the light back onto the object being photographed?
If not then is it acceptable to use 2 light sources in the same configuration

[comaamen86]

the setup looks familiar




got to say the additions do look crisp when added to db, something i would like to do but real lack of space

[gu8]

Originally Posted by comaamen86

the setup looks familiar




got to say the additions do look crisp when added to db, something i would like to do but real lack of space

[Cosmic_Link]

Originally Posted by comaamen86

the setup looks familiar




got to say the additions do look crisp when added to db, something i would like to do but real lack of space

[aselwyn1]

Um ok why are we bringing hostage pictures into this?

[Xmo]

Originally Posted by aselwyn1

Um ok why are we bringing hostage pictures into this?

well obviously comma is just trying to show that having good lighting is very essential. if you have flash, there will be reflections bouncing of that muzzle

[twistedsymphony]

Originally Posted by LowlyAssassin

Is it a wise idea to use a single.photo source aimed at a photo umbrella to diffuse and reflect the light back onto the object being photographed?
If not then is it acceptable to use 2 light sources in the same configuration

if you notice on my setup I have 2 light sources pointed directly at the item...

they key is that they're in a reflector housing and that they're mounted very high and at opposing angles...

This is so that the light is diffused as much as possible buy the time it reaches the item, the high angle also prevents glares on the shiny surfaces of some packages.

To be honest even with 2 100Watt bulbs the light isn't as bright as I'd like it to be for this setup, I either have to crank up the exposure on the camera (which can make the images blurry) or brighten up the image in photoshop.

At some point I plan on adding 1 or 2 more lights to help with this issue.

Your Primary goal is to have nice smooth even light (no hard shadows, no overly dark or hot spots or glare)

Your secondary goal is to make the "scene" as bright and vibrant as possible this allows the colors to come out and allows the camera to capture the image without any blur due to long exposure or graininess due to low lighting.

[kittychloe]

I have an odd question, with regards to clothing items given as CE content, IE shirts, hats, jackets ECT...

Would you prefer the item to be flat and laid out? or when possible would it be fine for the clothing to have practical demonstration so people could see what it looks like on a model..

Would you allow the database to show a mannequin wearing the clothing if the lighting was the same as the rest of the CE's?