Photo Studio In A Box

[Corey Bryant]

I came across Photo Studio In A Box (http://americanrecorder.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=42&products_id=157&osCsid=0 bb5c2bd5222e7f467375b32eb0f7d01) at the Consumer Electronic Show (http://www.cesweb.org/default_flash.asp).

I was wondering how you photographers might view this? I mean

Do you see it as taking your business away?
Do you think it looks like a good product to recommend?


I have told a few clients about this product who take their own pictures for their products. It looks like a nice little item for some of the smaller businesses. Most of our clients are smaller companies to one extent that sell their products. They go out & just take a picture. And then we have to go in - delete the shadow(s) and correct the background. A few have expressed interest in it but no one has yet to buy it

[the_pm]

Whoa, that looks pretty awesome actually. I've thought about rigging up something like that, but never got around to it (never needed it enough to bother). Yeah, I can see that as being threatening to photographers. Let's face it, consumer electronics are getting very, very good...

[Christina]

Neat little product!! :) I don't think this would put too much of a damper on a professional photographers career or business yet I do see this product being used by Ebay Sellers perhaps? Also small mom and pop businesses. It's an affordable solution as well especially for compact lighting, pod, background..that all folds!

[vito]

On the surface, the setup looks impressive. However, I'm skeptical as to quality.

The old adage "You get what you pay for" always applies. While the overall setup looks right, they do not give nearly enough info about the details of the individual components. Yes, they have 3 lights that point to the product. But what is the quality of the light? There are many factors ranging from the quality of the bulbs to the quality of the camera used.

I have toiled over this issue at great length, since one of my sites is dependent on quality raw video clips. In the end, I decided to outsource to a professional studio which will provide me with professional raw footage.

When it comes down to it, if you are serious about your business, don't pinch the pennies to save a few bucks. Spend what it takes to get the job done by professionals. In the long run, you are miles ahead. ;)

Vito

[Christina]

Very true yet this is for "products" so the quality of light isn't as much of an issue as it is to photographing people where the lighting must be decently close to perfect, otherwise you get interesting hues. Another thing, is that you're doing Video, so colors are again an issue. As with photography, it's easier to composite if there are flaws rather than video. With video, you can color correct but there are more factors which make that medium a lot more pricey. So the studio may just be your best bet especially if you're not that avid editor.

Factoring in the quality and costs, I would have to say that this rig is priced accordingly. You're paying for the portability. Portability is what drives prices up. I'm sure the lights used aren't of best quality but good enough for the average consumer.

:)

On the surface, the setup looks impressive. However, I'm skeptical as to quality.

The old adage "You get what you pay for" always applies. While the overall setup looks right, they do not give nearly enough info about the details of the individual components. Yes, they have 3 lights that point to the product. But what is the quality of the light? There are many factors ranging from the quality of the bulbs to the quality of the camera used.

I have toiled over this issue at great length, since one of my sites is dependent on quality raw video clips. In the end, I decided to outsource to a professional studio which will provide me with professional raw footage.

When it comes down to it, if you are serious about your business, don't pinch the pennies to save a few bucks. Spend what it takes to get the job done by professionals. In the long run, you are miles ahead. ;)

Vito

[vito]

Yes, I have to admit. As a "starter" product photography setup, it looks to be an ideal makeshift setup. Certainly a far cry from putting the product on a table and trying to get a product photo from that.

Vito

[Christina]

Yes, I have to admit. As a "starter" product photography setup, it looks to be an ideal makeshift setup. Certainly a far cry from putting the product on a table and trying to get a product photo from that.

Vito

Or taking an awful photo and then using photoshop to mask out the background and fix the lighting! :lol:

[vito]

Heh, years ago, I had a retail gift site. And whenever I was not able to search for a suitable image of the product online, I would endeavor to take a "product" photo myself. Man, I sure do appreciate the difficulty in that. Easier than it first appears.

Vito

[Corey Bryant]

I did get to see it (but not in action). It looked "cute". Sorry that is the only word I could come up with. It did seem that everything was there to take decent & quality pictures. They did have some images there that they said were taken by the box and they were fantastic looking.

The company itself is probably about 20 miles down the road from me actually.

I guess my main concern:
Let's face it, consumer electronics are getting very, very good...
Is it feasible that it would work? I mean, it does look like it would work. And as long as your products are small enough I guess, you have it made?

[Christina]

True, that is the only stipulation. Do you have products that will be that size? Or be within that size? Otherwise, you may need larger equipment. Or build a lighting area/room yourself.

For the business with average size products, I'd say it'd be perfect. i.e. jewelry, ceramics (knick knacks?), hobby/models etc.

As for consumer electronics, it is getting much better and more affordable. *thank goodness* :lol:

[vito]

Long and the short of it is - you can buy 100 bucks worth of equipment to DIY. But there is a reason that professional studios invest thousands of dollars into high end equipment - the end result is professional. There is an undisputed difference in quality.

Depends what you are looking for, I suppose.

Vito

[Christina]

Sure, the "studio" is nice. I just hate dealing with the people who think they know what they're doing ;)

Me, if I needed to, I'd book a studio for rent and do the work myself! I just love DIY!!! When we buy our first house, my present to myself will be a table saw :lol: I love building things. (Sorry for getting off topic!)

If you have the capital to invest going to the professional studios to do all the work for you, then more power to you for that! Yet, this is just a consumers solution :)

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