Pre-sales for the BIG marketing and business workshop are now live!!!!! tinhouse-studio.com/product/pre-order-commercial-photography-business-and-marketing-in-2024/
Even in my early photography days trying out for journalism (1980s!) the publishing/printing staff were adamant that they wanted "breathing space" around the subjects - so my stuff got published even though others guys probably had "better" shots but they cropped too closely to fit editorial preferences.
This can also be seen in illustration\paintings made for book covers. On its own it might seem like a weird composition, but that’s because they left room for a big title to go along with it.
I'm a graphic designer first and commercial photographer second. Over 90% of the photography, especially food and product, is clip pathed so it can be placed wherever over any background the design requires. It's always been that way.
Very true as designer, having a simple and straightforward photo helps a whole lot! Especially when it is to be composed into another concept entirely and the pictures are building blocks.
I shoot editorial for a music magazine, I always leave space around the image, 90% or more of my shots are in portrait format, if the picture becomes part of the lead story, then it can end up on a front cover at A4. Space gives the layout team room to add Title, banners, QR codes etc. Key message is know your audience.
This is exactly why 6x6 square format was so popular for commercial stuff back in the day. Place the subject centrally giving the art design people plenty of crop-ability to play with, any which way they chose. landscape, portrait or whatever. While at the same time maintaining good resolution.
I find your insights into the world of commercial photography so interesting. As someone who has an interest in the artistic side of product photography its actually really refreshing to hear the honesty of what earning from product photography actually entails from a business POV
Certainly. Here's an enhanced version that incorporates the concept of layout and cropping: Dear Scott, Thank you for sharing your valuable insights. Your perspective resonates strongly with my experiences in commercial assisting, particularly regarding composition and layout considerations. When I first started commercial assisting, I was intrigued by the unique compositional approaches, which often differed from the traditional photographic techniques I had studied at art school. These compositions seemed to prioritize negative space in unconventional ways, which piqued my curiosity. This observation led me to inquire with my mentor about the rationale behind these distinctive layouts. His response was illuminating: he explained that these compositions were deliberately crafted with text placement and potential cropping in mind. He emphasized the critical importance of: 1. Leaving adequate space for copy (text) within the frame 2. Ensuring flexibility for various cropping ratios to accommodate different media formats 3. Balancing the visual elements to maintain impact across multiple layout scenarios This revelation was a pivotal moment in my professional development. It underscored the fundamental principle that one must always consider the end product and its potential variations when creating commercial imagery. Understanding that a single image might need to work across print, digital, and other media formats - each with its own layout requirements - transformed my approach to composition. Like you had mentioned clients often need images for multiple different spaces. Your shared experiences serve as a valuable reminder of these essential concepts. It's always enriching to gain insights from fellow professionals in our field, as it broadens our collective understanding and enhances our craft. Thank you once again for contributing to this discussion. I look forward to further exchanges of ideas and perspectives on the intricate balance between artistic vision and practical commercial requirements in our industry. Best regards, Eric Carlson
Yeah. I always shoot wider so they can crop in how they need. Better to have the “bleed” on the edges than have to create more background it in the computer.
Here’s a quick heads up for you if you didn’t go to Brooks Institute, Santa Barbara California never have anything touching when you’re shooting product !
Yes this video is helpful, I guessed things were this way, but it’s nice to have it cleared up. Essentially you’re shooting stock images for a graphic designer to use in the ad, right?
Yeah, it’s split into photos (a full advert from an image) and then what we call digital assets, which are more common now days and have multiple uses. Then it’s out into what’s called a brand toolbox
Hello, I've been inspired by your videos and sampled some ideas from your past work. I'm a designer and sometime (where applicable) I take photos. If you don't mind, I'd love to help make thumbnails for your videos. As Designer, i've seen a problem i can solve and that portion could get some help.
Pre-sales for the BIG marketing and business workshop are now live!!!!! tinhouse-studio.com/product/pre-order-commercial-photography-business-and-marketing-in-2024/
Even in my early photography days trying out for journalism (1980s!) the publishing/printing staff were adamant that they wanted "breathing space" around the subjects - so my stuff got published even though others guys probably had "better" shots but they cropped too closely to fit editorial preferences.
This can also be seen in illustration\paintings made for book covers. On its own it might seem like a weird composition, but that’s because they left room for a big title to go along with it.
I'm a graphic designer first and commercial photographer second. Over 90% of the photography, especially food and product, is clip pathed so it can be placed wherever over any background the design requires. It's always been that way.
Very true as designer, having a simple and straightforward photo helps a whole lot!
Especially when it is to be composed into another concept entirely and the pictures are building blocks.
I shoot editorial for a music magazine, I always leave space around the image, 90% or more of my shots are in portrait format, if the picture becomes part of the lead story, then it can end up on a front cover at A4. Space gives the layout team room to add Title, banners, QR codes etc. Key message is know your audience.
This is exactly why 6x6 square format was so popular for commercial stuff back in the day.
Place the subject centrally giving the art design people plenty of crop-ability to play with, any which way they chose. landscape, portrait or whatever.
While at the same time maintaining good resolution.
I find your insights into the world of commercial photography so interesting. As someone who has an interest in the artistic side of product photography its actually really refreshing to hear the honesty of what earning from product photography actually entails from a business POV
Certainly. Here's an enhanced version that incorporates the concept of layout and cropping:
Dear Scott,
Thank you for sharing your valuable insights. Your perspective resonates strongly with my experiences in commercial assisting, particularly regarding composition and layout considerations.
When I first started commercial assisting, I was intrigued by the unique compositional approaches, which often differed from the traditional photographic techniques I had studied at art school. These compositions seemed to prioritize negative space in unconventional ways, which piqued my curiosity.
This observation led me to inquire with my mentor about the rationale behind these distinctive layouts. His response was illuminating: he explained that these compositions were deliberately crafted with text placement and potential cropping in mind. He emphasized the critical importance of:
1. Leaving adequate space for copy (text) within the frame
2. Ensuring flexibility for various cropping ratios to accommodate different media formats
3. Balancing the visual elements to maintain impact across multiple layout scenarios
This revelation was a pivotal moment in my professional development. It underscored the fundamental principle that one must always consider the end product and its potential variations when creating commercial imagery. Understanding that a single image might need to work across print, digital, and other media formats - each with its own layout requirements - transformed my approach to composition. Like you had mentioned clients often need images for multiple different spaces.
Your shared experiences serve as a valuable reminder of these essential concepts. It's always enriching to gain insights from fellow professionals in our field, as it broadens our collective understanding and enhances our craft.
Thank you once again for contributing to this discussion. I look forward to further exchanges of ideas and perspectives on the intricate balance between artistic vision and practical commercial requirements in our industry.
Best regards,
Eric Carlson
Seeing the photograph as part of the bigger picture is both a nice funny wordplay and humble.
Awesome video Scott which makes complete sense, after hearing it. Thanks for sharing.
Love the insight, very interesting.
Awesome advice, thanks!
Great info, as always, Scott!
Interesting perspective as always!
Yeah. I always shoot wider so they can crop in how they need. Better to have the “bleed” on the edges than have to create more background it in the computer.
Great explanation.
Here’s a quick heads up for you if you didn’t go to Brooks Institute, Santa Barbara California never have anything touching when you’re shooting product !
On a more serious note, very interesting insight.
Yes this video is helpful, I guessed things were this way, but it’s nice to have it cleared up. Essentially you’re shooting stock images for a graphic designer to use in the ad, right?
Yeah, it’s split into photos (a full advert from an image) and then what we call digital assets, which are more common now days and have multiple uses. Then it’s out into what’s called a brand toolbox
Hey love your videos, my friend put me in your direction, also from Leicestershire 🤙
I compose for brutal right eye astigmatism. Not sure how that’d work out in post.
very useful
Gotta leave space for the copy/text!
Hello,
I've been inspired by your videos and sampled some ideas from your past work.
I'm a designer and sometime (where applicable) I take photos.
If you don't mind, I'd love to help make thumbnails for your videos.
As Designer, i've seen a problem i can solve and that portion could get some help.
Not me feeling like I'm taking up valuable time at the quick watch look