How to Photograph Shoes, or not
As I said in the previous entry I am no expert. Here’s how I do it.
The basics are shown in the photo below:
1 roll solid color wrapping paper. cost: $1.00
1 roll masking tape. cost: $1.00
white cardboard or foam cost: $2.00
(buy a few extra)
utility lights or other light source x2 (whatever is around the house will work)
light bulbs (any kind will do) One shown in photo, the other was used to take the photo)
Expensive stuff: shoes
Not shown: camera (flash turned off)
Set Up:
Place a table against a wall in any easy place.
Unroll the wrapping paper, the back should be white or off white.
With the white side facing you take 2 SMALL pieces of masking tape and tape the paper to the wall about 3 feet above the table.
Allow the rest of the roll to drape across the table and down to the floor.
Secure paper to table with a few Small pieces of tape.
Place the shoes on the white paper.
Place light sources to the left and right shining away from the shoes.
Use white cardboard to reflect light back at shoes so that no shadows are visible.
Adjust lights as needed for a pleasing image.
Note: Use whatever you have around the house to prop reflector cardboard at proper angles (be creative).
If your camera has adjustable white balance calibrate it to the backdrop of wrapping paper now.
Last and most important: take the picture.
If you did it right it will look something like this:
If you want to photograph someone wearing shoes the set up is similar.
Find an area to shoot the photo without unnecessary background clutter.
Note: no table is necessary.
Position model, adjust lights and reflectors for a pleasing photo, again no shadows and no flash.
Take the picture.It looks like this: (Note: Since I don’t have a model you are stuck with me)
Reflectors can be placed anywhere out of the photograph to balance and even out lighting conditions. The photo below shows one possibility.
That is the easiest way I know of, I am sure there are other ways.
BTW: this type of lighting will work with just about anything.
Have fun.
What is your experience with the compact fluorescent daylight bulbs? Are they close enough to give a normal daylight white balance?
The CFL daylight bulbs are usually between 5200 degrees K and 5600 degrees K. That is close enough to use daylight white balance.
incandescent daylight bulbs are also in that range.
You can shoot with any type of bulb provided two factors be met. 1st is that all the bulbs that you use have to be exactly the same (same color temperature). 2nd factor is that you either have to find a white balance preset that matches your lightbulbs, or shoot in RAW format. I would recommend shooting in RAW, as you can balance it to any (literally) type of light.
Very helpful tip. And practical in that it uses everyday stuff. Thank you!
How would you photograph a strappy sandal?
Thanks.
Hi Sharon,
Strappy sandals present a problem in that the straps tend not to stay where they look the best. I generally use 22 gauge memory wire cut to size (available at most craft stores) behind the straps out of camera view to maintain proper shape.
Lighting would be exactly the same.