pilot1022
Member
Why is it when people photograph their pens or other small items they insist putting other items in the photo? If it’s a wood pen they put it on a wood stand or a wood block to support the pen. Or they might make a setting to put the pen in thinking it will look natural; rocks , shells or sticks of wood, you get the idea, hence they think, a better looking photo. If you’re trying to create an artsy photo to enter a photo contest then fine, but remember this, you’re shooting a product photo and you want to sell that product. You want to enhance the product not distract from it. The eye should be guided from the edges of the photo to the subject matter, i.e. the pen. Let nothing stand in the way of this. Not shadows or any props. If a stand or some type of brace is needed to establish a certain angle or to eliminate a shadow or some other minor defect then make that brace as unobtrusive as possible. Remember the background is important too, keep it plain and simple. The last thing you want is someone looking and thinking “oh that a lovely shell, or gee a nice colored sky", if they do that your photography has let you down. If you use any background or props it should lead the eyes to the subject matter and hold it there. Less is better..........