One of the above images was created using a camera and modern commercial lighting with familiar retouching techniques using software such as Photoshop. The other image was rendered using CGI using software such as Blender. They are both top-notch product images, but can you tell which is which? I won’t tell you the answer just […]
One of These is a Photo and One is CGI: Can You Tell Which is Which?
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How I created a razor sharp Blade of Light
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In the past months, I was obsessed with some photos of Karl Taylor showing a blade of light on a model’s face, and I wanted to give it a go on my own. I had one problem, though. Typically, you make these shots using expensive strobe attachments, which allow studio strobe to control light in […]
Hasselblad vs iPhone Shootout Shows the Importance of Lighting
Of all the various factors and variables involved in photography, light is by far the most important one. Photographer Karl Taylor argues that control over light will actually supersede the quality of a camera.
In the nine-minute video above, Taylor proves that the gear used truly does not matter if the lighting is done right. To demonstrate this, he compares a $30,000 Hasselblad system and an iPhone to capture the "same" image of a custom build Harley-Davidson motorcycle. At a glance, the images are incredibly similar with the differences in quality only made apparent when viewers zoom in on the small details where the 100 megapixel Hasselblad quality outshines the smartphone.
Taylor says when people see an image of an incredibly expensive piece of machinery like the bike above, they will say "it must be amazing to shoot with a top-end camera and top-end lenses," and he replies emphatically that it is! He loves shooting with his Hasselblad H6 and [Broncolor](https://www.adorama.com/l/Photography/Broncolor~Lighting-and-Studio?kbid=67085” rel=“norewrite sponsored”) lights because it helps him do his job better, helps make him more efficient, and helps him deliver images that are high resolution to meet the client's every need.
But, like most creatives in the world, spending that kind of money on gear is not really something they are keen on and, luckily, it is not something most will ever have to do in order to achieve great results.
"It is not just the camera that makes a great image in the same way that a typewriter doesn't make a great novel," Taylor further explains.
So while he does like shooting with high-end equipment, he makes it clear how it doesn't have as huge of an impact on his work as some might think. He provides multiple examples of how he has created award-winning images with some of the most budget-friendly light sources and camera gear that is available.
"[It is] not the brand, it's not the equipment, it just comes down to the knowledge of using and controlling light that gets great results," he says.
While many photographers have preached this in the past, it's often difficult to get newcomers to understand since it requires training, time, and practice to master. In contrast, many camera manufacturers will tout exceptional technological capabilities in new cameras that can often sound like a shortcut photographers can take to make masterful images. Unfortunately, as good as technology gets, nothing will beat a thorough understanding of light, how it works, and how to manipulate it.
To see more videos from Karl Taylor visit his YouTube channel here.
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We often see the “expensive camera vs smartphone” comparisons, but they’re not typically performed with this level of attention to detail. Especially when it comes to the lighting. But if you’re photographer Karl Taylor, the lighting is very important, especially when it comes to comparing images from one camera to another. Karl recently photographed a […]
How to Shoot an Apple-style Product Photo with Flashes and DIY Modifiers
If you've ever wanted to learn how to shoot product photos like those seen in Apple advertisements, here's a short 4-minute tutorial by photographer Karl Taylor that you can do at home with just a couple of speedlights and homemade modifiers.
The tutorial came about after Taylor challenged students in his online education program to capture the best Apple EarPods photo they could based on his brief, and Taylor took up the challenge himself as well.
"I decided to up the ante and try and do it with just speedlights. In doing so, I came up with some great tips [to show] how to ensure the product still retained a gloss look and remained empowering, highly detailed, and utilizing a manageable shooting position.
"I was very excited by the results and what could be achieved with a little creative thinking and problem solving."
Among the things you'll need for this shoot are a camera, a macro lens, two speedlights, scissors, white paper, headphones, black card, white acrylic, and white tack.
The black card is cut into the shape of your headphones, and the white paper is cut into reflectors. The headphones are stuck to the black card with the white tack.
A semi-transparent sheet of 5mm white acrylic is used for diffusing the light. A window mask is placed in front of your lens to reduce flare, and a number of reflector panels are placed in various positions above and around the headphones to add gloss highlights.
Taylor lit headphones' speaker grills separately in their own photos to bring out the details.
Once the photos are captured, you'll need to bring them into Photoshop to clean them up and put them on a black background.
Here's Taylor's polished final result:
"It’s a great setup to try if you’re looking to capture professional product photography but only have limited equipment," Taylor says.
If you enjoyed this tutorial, you can subscribe to Taylor's content on YouTube or sign up for his educational platform.
Image credits: Video, still frames, and photo by Karl Taylor and used with permission
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