GIFs and 360 product photos put a unique twist on photography and videography. Not only are they fun, but they are an effective tool. As we all know, human attention spans are getting shorter. Therefore, content is getting shorter. GIFs and spins provide customers with a short visual tour of your product/company which strengthens your brand and marketing strategies.

GIFs have been around since 1987. That may surprise you considering they are the star of the show on Twitter. In 2016, Twitter debuted the ability to search and send GIFs in tweets and direct messages. The impromptu #GIFparty started and companies such as NASA, GoPro, and IHOP all joined in the fun. It was a BYOG (Bring Your Own GIF) kind of party.

GIFs are perfect for social media.

Creativity is limitless with GIFs. GIFs tell a quick story or convey a relatable emotion or moment by highlighting a key occasion from an event, offering a behind the scenes view of your office, or showcasing how a product works in an engaging way.

If you’ve read this far but secretly have no idea what a GIF is…

GIF stands for graphics interchange format. They tell a bite-sized story in a few seconds by storing multiple images or still frames from a video in an image file, bringing the image to life with animation, and accentuating key features.

Our latest spin on product photography was for Gerber Gear – highlighting the features and angles of the tool from all sides.

Spin photography is used to give viewers a more realistic impression of your product which is linked to increased sales and increased visual information.

According to Adobe Scene 7, “91% of individuals surveyed want the ability to turn products around in full 360-degree spin and zoom in on any perspective”.

Photography can make or break a sale, but research shows that spin photography, in particular, is shown to decrease product returns. A better-informed customer will less likely be unhappy with their purchase.

“Within the first couple of weeks of adding 360 spin images to their product pages, the company saw a 6-8% lift in conversion rates.” –Amazon Spokesperson

What’s next? VR and augmented reality shopping

Ikea and Amazon now have virtual stores. Furthermore, with e-commerce sales rapidly rising, it is crucial to provide the consumer with detailed product photography – giving the viewer the additional confidence needed to buy your product. The days of relying on a customer to see your product in person to make a sale are long gone.

Contact the team at Studio 3 today to put a spin on your product or bring it to life with an animated GIF.

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Our amazing team brings sunshine and warmth to the office every day. Likewise, we bring sunshine solutions to your product photography with lighting, props, backdrops, and our digital media team. You bring the product, we’ll bring the summer-location your budget approves.

Lighting and backdrops and props, oh my!

The most important technique our team applies to create sunshine for a photo is lighting. For example, one of our photographers, Craig Wagner, modifies and utilizes lighting at different angles to create specialized shadows and ambiance for your creative projects. Just call him walking sunshine. The key is properly spaced lighting to obtain the perfect shadow every time. High ceilings are used to our advantage for room sets creating that needed distance for a large subject like this shot for Marquis Spas.

Our photographer’s crisp shadows and dramatic sunlight are not all we can provide in-studio. We also have amazing props and backdrops. The color and texture of the background add a sentiment to the photo evoking a mood. Backdrops can range from subtle soft colors to a crisp white or a seamless backdrop to create that sunny day.

In this photo, you can see how the backdrop, lighting, and various props tell a summer story on their own.
 

 Our Digital Media team:

Along with our photographers, our digital media team create sunshine and warmth even on the rainiest days. For composite images, they combine multiple layers to create one beautiful and flawless scene. When putting together a composite image, one has to consider many different variables. The most obvious are the colors, placement, and size of different elements. As a result, these decisions will affect how, where, and in what order the viewer focuses their attention. 

‘For this piece, I played a lot with the placement of the surfboard and boombox to make it feel natural, organic, and compositionally pleasing. Light and color also play a critical role in how a viewer responds to a piece and whether an image looks “realistic”. I wanted this particular piece to have a nostalgic, yet timeless vibe, and I think the long shadows and warm tones created by the sunset help convey this feeling.’ –Lucio Barbarino Digital Artists at Studio 3

Rain or shine, the team at Studio 3 have your back to create that perfect photo you visualize for your brand. Give us a call. We would love to add a little sunshine to your day.

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1. Choosing the right background for the food at hand

Not all surfaces and backgrounds are photogenic. And while others might be beautiful on their own, they still may not necessarily complement the food/beverage at hand. So, what are some factors to consider when selecting a background? Color is a big one. Ideally, you want to avoid overly-bright colors or busy patterns that will distract from your subject. A shiny surface probably wouldn’t be a good choice either. Using neutral or pastel color palettes can go a long way in making your food/beverage ‘pop’- in a similar way that a certain color might bring out a person’s eyes. For instance, if most food contains warm color tones, it might be a good idea to shoot against cool-toned surfaces to create a pleasing contrast. If you want to learn more about how to create ‘color harmony,’ check out this helpful article on the subject, which also includes some useful guides.
You can also use the background to express character, suggest a mood, or establish a sense of place. Here’s a photo taken by Studio 3’s very own David Bell, which showcases a delicious chocolate cake placed in a rustic environment. The flooring suggests farm-style, naturalism, organic ingredients etc., while the rich brown tones in the wood compliment the chocolate perfectly.     

2. Knolling style – to use or not to use?

You may not be familiar with the term, but you’re definitely familiar with the style. ‘Knolling’ refers to this style of photography:

Bright + even lighting, Birds-Eye point-of-view, and a meticulous arrangement of items. First popularized in 1987 by a janitor who would fastidiously arrange the various construction tools he found around the warehouse, ‘Knolling’ photography has recently taken over Instagram as one of the most prolific trends in recent years – and has also found a strong niche in food/beverage photography. It’s easy to see why: if executed correctly, Knolling photography has a unique way of making any subject look bold and dazzling – even if it’s just some popcorn. Right angles, clusters of color, and clean/crisp lines are the name of the game. An appreciation of image composition, as well as the spatial relationships between objects will help your Knolling photography soar.

3. Using mist, glycerine, and other fakery

Want that ultra-fresh, dripping condensation look? Simply hit your glass with some mist! Or even better yet, many professionals will use Glycerin to the same effect. It gives your food/drinks a cold, fresh look, which in turn makes them appear more delectable. This is especially true of foods like fruits and veggies. If you see food in photographs looking wet or frosty, then you can bet your top dollar that glycerin was used! Think of your classic vending machine: can you picture those big water droplets rolling off a cold can of Coke on the front image? Yup, that’s either mist or Glycerin.

If your image requires ice, we highly suggest the use of fake ice cubes. Obviously, real ice melts, thus requiring frequent re-sets, which can take time and money away from your project (and also make a mess!). If you happen to be using glass, real ice will also cause significant fogging, obscuring your subject even more. These are just a few of the reasons professional photographers have embraced the use of fake ice and other perishable food prop replacements.   

4. Styling: Paint, pins, and putty

It takes a fine touch. There are countless cosmetic steps food stylists can take to improve the overall quality and composition of your food/beverage photography. Remember, we’re not actually serving the food, so no need to shy away from using un-edible items to get the necessary shot. Metal pins, for instance, can be used to hold food in place if you want to display the perfect balance of ingredients without them falling over. Photographer and food stylists will also use non-stick putty to the same effect, like so:

Ultimately, it’s about arranging and styling your subject to maximize it’s photogenic potential. Is your food stackable, or should it be fanned out, serving style? Does your subject have green stems? Should a side dish be included? What about some unique serving flatware? You can even utilize acrylic paint to boost colors, cover up blemishes, and even create patterns if desired. Get creative here! Like any good dish, there is a lot more to the finished product than merely the sum of the individual parts. It’s about how they all interact!
Here at Studio 3 Inc., we not only specialize in food and beverage photography, but also portraiture, lifestyle, sports, and product photography. Since 1974, we’ve been making your photography dreams come to life! Partner with us for your next creative endeavor, and see just how we stay inspired.
 

The post A Focus On Food: Our Tricks And Tips Behind Food + Beverage Photography appeared first on Studio 3, Inc.®.

We have a good time on set

Lastly, our Digital Team steps in and works their magic.  The processes of Color Grading and Digital Retouching are extremely intricate – just ask Sean Yates, one of our in-house Graphic Artists:

“Color and clarity are of central importance when retouching images. …We always strive for and deliver accurate color.”

In reality, the Digital Team does a lot more than just retouching:

 
Finished product:

And that’s not the end! Studio 3 partners with the same clients year after year because they love the end result, and appreciate the creative relationships formed. We take the utmost pride in these collaborations and are always striving to bring something new and exciting to the table for the next shoot. Give us a call today, and find out how Studio 3 can help elevate your brand with the coolest+catchiest photography in the Pacific Northwest.
 

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What colors are consumers loving this month? Season? Year?

What does this mean for you? How can we help?

The most exciting part of the rainbow world in which we work is getting to put our skills to good use. Our commitment to client satisfaction and beautiful photography is unmatched in our field. From styling – to shooting – to retouching – to bragging about our clients – we love keeping life colorful. DO HUE?
 
 

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