Just buy translucent placemats and roll them into a cone. They are made out of the same plastic and cost about a dollar a piece. I've done this and it works great.
I was a dedicated watcher of the Event Space when there were life instructors. People like Eileen Raftery, Adam Morelli, Michael Medford and others live to an audience at B&H. Those were truly educational and had me tuned in for the next educator. This was just another Tupperware commercial like Gary Fong's speedlight diffuser.
Might have been interesting to see a comparison for a non-coned, like a white box lighting setup. Flexible translucent LDPE Plastic Sheet 48x24x (0.03/0,06) are available for customized coning sizes for a fraction of the cost as the alternative for those would love engaging in DIY adaptations.
Interesting product and a practical stop gap for a problem that exists for a large segment of folks needing "better" product photography. Looks like another tool that like everything in photography can have its use but is part of the final answer. Karl is an exceptional educator - and unlike many "on the internet" his work & results speaks to his expertise. I have watched countless of his tutorials and they have been invaluable but yes this one - as noted - feels a little different as it is anchored around starting with the product (tool) thus feels like a sales pitch... which most B&H and the "other" NY stores videos are. In the end looks like a useful product & if space, time or other limitations restrict doing a full blown product shoot. Might be very useful during engagement shoots for a quick and dirty 5 min ring shot. Also the price, especially for those used to getting pillaged by companies for very basic (low tech) accessories (looking at you Profoto) seems very reasonable.
Back in the 1980s I did a lot of tabletop and shot automobiles. It was fun being inspired by you. I wish I could put my talents and creativity to better use right now. I worked with some amazing movie cinematographers that I probably shouldn’t name because they were union. In between their movie deals, they would do these commercials to keep the cash flows.
I can see these being okay for people just doing a little etsy side hustle with a phone or something but it doesn't remotely touch a professional setup at least nothing I'd ever use. This definitely isn't the kind of video I expected to see in the B&H Event Space... this really belongs on the HSN!
How do you handle eliminating the BLACK HOLE effect on the watch face glass where the camera is located? Probably not an issue so much on most products, but with the watch glass facing directly up, it's an issue.
So far the only way I’ve been able to get rid of that is by using a two way mirror dome. It’s also a give and take. You can get rid of the camera hole but depending on the item, the product can reflect into itself ha.
B&H videos are always geared toward selling something, but this video is more salesy than usual. I find that it detracts from the usefulness and appeal.
Over a $100 in Aussie dollars for a piece of plastic. I checked the price of the lighting set up he mentioned. Over $4K in Australia. Not while my bum points groundwards. Great ad though.
![White Background Photography and What You NEED to Know! [Tips, Kit & Lighting Setups]](/img/n.gif)
Just buy translucent placemats and roll them into a cone. They are made out of the same plastic and cost about a dollar a piece. I've done this and it works great.
Good refresher course. Thanks.
Lol that'd be me with the pet collar comment. 😄 Love you work Karl! You're the best at what you do.
Incredible presentation
I was a dedicated watcher of the Event Space when there were life instructors. People like Eileen Raftery, Adam Morelli, Michael Medford and others live to an audience at B&H. Those were truly educational and had me tuned in for the next educator. This was just another Tupperware commercial like Gary Fong's speedlight diffuser.
Might have been interesting to see a comparison for a non-coned, like a white box lighting setup. Flexible translucent LDPE Plastic Sheet 48x24x (0.03/0,06) are available for customized coning sizes for a fraction of the cost as the alternative for those would love engaging in DIY adaptations.
The product is so simple and amazing, it made me want to buy and take pictures even though I am not a product photographer.
Interesting product and a practical stop gap for a problem that exists for a large segment of folks needing "better" product photography. Looks like another tool that like everything in photography can have its use but is part of the final answer.
Karl is an exceptional educator - and unlike many "on the internet" his work & results speaks to his expertise. I have watched countless of his tutorials and they have been invaluable but yes this one - as noted - feels a little different as it is anchored around starting with the product (tool) thus feels like a sales pitch... which most B&H and the "other" NY stores videos are.
In the end looks like a useful product & if space, time or other limitations restrict doing a full blown product shoot. Might be very useful during engagement shoots for a quick and dirty 5 min ring shot.
Also the price, especially for those used to getting pillaged by companies for very basic (low tech) accessories (looking at you Profoto) seems very reasonable.
Back in the 1980s I did a lot of tabletop and shot automobiles. It was fun being inspired by you. I wish I could put my talents and creativity to better use right now. I worked with some amazing movie cinematographers that I probably shouldn’t name because they were union. In between their movie deals, they would do these commercials to keep the cash flows.
I can see these being okay for people just doing a little etsy side hustle with a phone or something but it doesn't remotely touch a professional setup at least nothing I'd ever use. This definitely isn't the kind of video I expected to see in the B&H Event Space... this really belongs on the HSN!
How do you handle eliminating the BLACK HOLE effect on the watch face glass where the camera is located? Probably not an issue so much on most products, but with the watch glass facing directly up, it's an issue.
So far the only way I’ve been able to get rid of that is by using a two way mirror dome. It’s also a give and take. You can get rid of the camera hole but depending on the item, the product can reflect into itself ha.
B&H videos are always geared toward selling something, but this video is more salesy than usual. I find that it detracts from the usefulness and appeal.
Why go through all that? Can't you just adjust exposure in camera and then make final adjustments in post?
Over a $100 in Aussie dollars for a piece of plastic. I checked the price of the lighting set up he mentioned. Over $4K in Australia. Not while my bum points groundwards. Great ad though.
52 minute infomercial
Don’t buy them, cheaply made cones, snap broke the first time I used it.