Tips&Advice for photographing products for company brochure??

[midvale99]

Hi

Just joined this forum so appologies if this sort of question has been asked before. But Im after rather specific advice, not just general advice that I can get off the net elsewhere.

I am a product designer and keen photographer. I have recently been asked by the company I work for to take some rather professional looking photos of our products in situ. The machines we deal with are casino terminals, pub quiz machines, digital jukeboxes etc. Bascially any sort of public entetainment machine with a touchscreen. The photos will be of some models playing the terminals in the pub.

I have owned my Canon EOS400D DSLR with 80-35mm lens for about 5 months now and have experimented with a range of different photography styles. However I haven't done too much indoor photography, let alone studio photography with proper lighting. Firstly can anyone tell me if they think that the lens I own will suffice or if I need a new one (if so, which sort). Secondly, what sort of lighting will I need to hire? Thirdly any tips or advice on how I go about approaching taking the photos and how I should set up the lighting. I am going to be purchasing a light meter too.

Thanks in advance.

[Lounge Lizard]

Do you mean a 35-80mm lens rather than an 80-35mm lens?

Any lens may be used to take photographs. What's more important is your creativity and knowledge of photography rather than specific kit. That is very difficult to impart as a response to a forum question.

I suggest you find good examples of the type of photographs you want to take and then ask 'how do I take photos like that?'

[midvale99]

Hi Thanks for your reply. Yes my appologies its a 35-80mm lens. Im sure people can figure that out. Im aware that any lens can take a photograph but Im also aware that some lenses are more suited that others to certain subject matter.

The problem is that I haven't really found any photos of pub terminals where people are playing them. And I most probably wouldnt be able to track down the photographer and ask him/her questions.

It is tips and advice on how to light the scene that I am most interested in but thanks anyway.