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hey sgtts what settings did you use to take those photos?
i.e. iso, aperture, shutter speed?

SGTTS, what was the flash setting on the D90 body set at? The SB600 was in "TTL" or M?

There is a shadow cast from the flash. It is quite obvious. We really need more information to be able to help you.

C80, your shot with your model, did you consider moving the candle to a better position to remove the shadow cast on her face? Not a bad shot though. Considering the settings at ISO4000, I think it came out quite well.

CTM: i added the exif data. all my flash are fired at TTL mode

SGTTS, I think when shooting items with a really white background, I find it best when my flashes are set in M mode. I also find that having a large diffuser helps spread light everywhere and reduces harsh shadows. You could use white paper as reflectors on 3 sides of the rings to help reflect or diffuse light.

Hey SGTTS, I think you are relying too much on ambient light. When you are doing studio product shots, you normally try to use flash to overpower ambient light. If you mix ambient + flash light, you are mixing different colour light sources.

Just wondering if there is any special reason for you to put your SB600 at the back? What are you aiming to achieve with that? If i'm taking thess photos and only have 1 external flash, i would use it on the most important part of the product. i.e. the box cover/ring. I would use the flash to light up the box cover and bring out the texture/shinnyness of the silver letters on the box. The shot with the ring would benefit a lot too if you place the flash to the camera left and creates a bit of highlight/reflection on the ring.
Pay attention to the shadow created by the objects, try to remove/minimise the unwanted shadow by adjusting the flash position or using another light source (flash/reflector..etc)

Also pay more attention to small details, for example, in some of the shots, the box is not completely perpendicular to the camera. (blue box in #4 for example). And it seems like the background paper is not even or something is causing the strange background shadow in photo 1 and 2


When we are taking photos, quite often we want to achieve too many things but then we are limited by our gears, time or other factors. So we really have to think carefully on how to do the shot in the most effective way with our limited resources.

thank you for the comment CTM and Yellow, I will try again this weekend

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Yellow: i actually want to case a rim light on the box... which i don't think really successful...

SGTTS: rim light is usually used to create separation between the foreground object and the (dark) background. Since you are using a white background, so rim light is not really necessary in this case.

SGTTS:

Technique - Wrong camera setting. For product photography, the subject will be entirely lit by flash, therefore there is no need for such high ISO settings, also your aperature is too big causing a shallow depth of field which explains why your image looks soft and blurry. Always adjust your flash position and flash power for product photography instead of playing with your shutter speed or ISO. For your situation, my base setting for the camera would be ISO 100, f8 or above, shutter speed can be kept at 1/160.

Composition - The composition of the boxes are average, I like the composition of #2 the most, but watch out for your horizons, as all of your photos are a little tilted and watch how you angle your lens.

Lighting - The flash is poorly lit, causing several unpleasant shadows on the subject. I think what you were trying to archieve is a high key look, therefore you should have 2 flashes firing towards the background on on left other on right instead of firing onto the subject. If you set the flash correctly, the bounce from the background will create a nice wrap/rim onto the subject. The main light should be well diffused at the front on camera left/right depending on your composition, maybe with a bit of fill to balance the shadows.

Overall - Nice first time try, keep in mind about flash photography especially in a studio like situation. Always adjust flash power/aperature rather than ISO and shutter speed.

Thank you very much for DRAW's explanation, i will keep in mind always

ok, my second attempt...

location, my house. i took these photo around 4pm
environment. indirect lighting, lighting is bounce from white wall

I'm not quite sure that why i need to bump my ISO up...

#1


ISO: 640
s/s: 1/100
F5
Flash: yes. ( bolted on my D90)

#2


ISO: 640
s/s: 1/80
F7.1
Flash: yes (bolted on my D90)

#3


ISO: 640
s/s 1/80
F7.1
Flash: yes (bolted o my D90)

i'm trying different composition here.

thx.

i'm not quite sure why i need such a high iso.
Lighting is extremely important. i have change 2 location until i found spot which is give me a softer lighting..

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it showed sometime if i use flash.. it give a less 3d result.. object is more flat and colour is very dull and solid.... wonder why is that.

thx alot.