Today, it’s hard to imagine successfully promoting products and services without high-quality visual content. Images play a crucial role in showcasing products on websites, social media, advertising campaigns, printed materials, and exhibitions.

Imagine a manufacturer needs to present their product to potential clients. The first idea might be to take photos of the product themselves. After all, the product is ready and stored in the warehouse, so taking a few photos might seem simple enough.

However, creating truly high-quality images requires considering many factors. For example, proper lighting is essential. While this might seem like an easy task, even a small change in lighting conditions, like a cloud covering the sun, can significantly impact the final result. Therefore, using artificial light sources that guarantee consistent lighting is often better. It’s also crucial to choose the right background and use a tripod for your camera or smartphone so that all product photos have consistent lighting, shadows, and angles.

With some skill and patience, you can achieve satisfactory results. If you have a small product range and all items are in stock, the photography process can be completed in a day or two. But if products arrive at the warehouse gradually, you’ll need to repeat the shooting process, ensuring that lighting, shadows, and angles remain consistent.

 

 

COSTS OF DIY PHOTOGRAPHY

At first glance, DIY photography might seem like a cost-effective solution. For instance, you can use a smartphone camera, a desk lamp for lighting, sheets of paper for the background, and an office chair as an improvised tripod. In this case, the costs could start at zero. However, if you’re aiming for a more professional result, expenses will start to rise. For example, purchasing a lightbox with built-in lighting, which provides better-quality lighting, could cost between 20 and 100 euros. A tripod to stabilize the camera might cost between 15 and 50 euros.

If you add a digital camera to this, the costs will increase significantly. Entry-level cameras range from 300 to 500 euros, while mid-range DSLRs might cost between 800 and 1500 euros. In the end, the costs for DIY photography could range from 345 to 1650 euros, not counting your time and effort.

 

CHALLENGES WITH PHOTOGRAPHING LARGE PRODUCTS

What if your product is large and heavy? For example, metal furniture or a steel ball valve with a diameter of DN 700. In such cases, a simple softbox won’t be enough. You’ll need more powerful studio lights, professional backgrounds, and equipment to move heavy objects, like a forklift or crane. You’ll also need enough space to set up all this equipment.

Don’t forget about the need for a tripod that can hold the camera at the necessary height for shooting large objects. The cost of such tripods starts at 100 euros and can go up to 300 euros. So, the costs for DIY photography of large products could range from 400 euros to several thousand euros, including the cost of equipment and your efforts.

 

PHOTO EDITORS AND ADDITIONAL COSTS

Even if you manage to take good photos, you will likely need to edit them in a photo editor. There are both free programs like GIMP and paid ones like Adobe Photoshop. Working with a photo editor requires certain skills and time, as well as the willingness to learn if you have no experience with such programs.

DIY photography has its advantages: you can minimize costs if you have the necessary skills and equipment. However, if you want to achieve high-quality images, you’ll need to invest in equipment and software, as well as learn how to use photo editors. Additionally, this process requires a significant amount of time.

 

PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER SERVICES

An alternative to DIY photography is hiring a professional photographer. A professional can offer product photography in a well-equipped studio, guaranteeing high-quality results. They will have all the necessary equipment: from high-end cameras and lenses to professional lighting and backgrounds.

However, if your product is too large or heavy to be transported to a studio, many professional photographers offer on-site photography services. In this case, the photographer comes to your production facility or warehouse with mobile equipment. They bring portable lights, backgrounds, and everything needed to create studio-quality images right on the spot.

 

A professional studio will be equipped with everything necessary:

• A DSLR or mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses.
• A set of lenses for various tasks: a macro lens for small items, a standard lens (50 mm) for general tasks, and a wide-angle lens for large objects.
• Studio lighting with softboxes, reflectors, and umbrellas for creating soft light.
• Seamless backgrounds made of paper or fabric in various colors.
• Tripods for cameras and lighting.
• Additional equipment like handheld flashes, radio triggers, product photography tables, lightboxes for small items, and professional post-processing software (Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom).
• A spacious room with at least 3-meter-high ceilings for comfortable work.

The cost of professional studio photography varies greatly depending on the location and experience of the photographer. For example, in Germany, the cost of product photography can start at 150 euros and go up to 4000 euros, depending on the photographer’s level and the range of services offered. In Poland, prices for such services are somewhat lower, ranging from 100 to 2500 euros. In the USA, a photoshoot can cost between 500 and 10,000 dollars, depending on the complexity of the shoot and the photographer’s reputation.

Don’t forget about additional logistics costs. If your product is small and compact, you can deliver it to the studio yourself, which will help reduce transportation costs. However, for large or heavy items, you may need to rent specialized transport or use a transportation company. This could add extra costs and require more time to organize.

It’s also important to consider that if not all of your products are in stock at the time of the shoot, you will have to wait for new batches to arrive. After this, you’ll need to arrange another shoot and transportation, which can cause additional delays and challenges. Unforeseen delays in delivering products to the studio can affect project deadlines and increase overall costs. Therefore, it’s crucial to carefully plan all stages of shooting and logistics to avoid unnecessary problems and extra expenses.

The advantages of hiring a professional are obvious: you get high-quality images without needing to buy expensive equipment or spend time learning. However, there are also drawbacks: the product must be in stock, service costs can be high, and you will depend on a specific photographer or studio.

 

3D RENDERING AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO PHOTOGRAPHY

 

Modern technology offers an excellent alternative to traditional photography—3D rendering. All stages of creating images take place on a computer using special 3D modeling and rendering software. This method allows you to create photorealistic images of products without the need for physical photography, which is especially useful for complex or large objects.

If you’re interested in learning more about 3D rendering and the software used, we invite you to read another article where we cover this process in more detail.

The cost of 3D product rendering can vary greatly depending on the complexity of the object and the requirements for the final result. The price is also influenced by the availability of initial data for creating a detailed 3D model of the product. For example, rendering a simple object can start at 210 euros and go up to several thousand euros.

The core element of 3D rendering is a high-quality 3D model. Various programs can be used to create it, such as the free Blender or the paid Autodesk 3DS Max. Unlike traditional photography, 3D rendering allows a product to exist only as an idea, sketch, or drawing, opening new possibilities for product visualization.

 

CREATING A 3D MODEL

There are several ways to create a 3D model for rendering:

• Based on photographs: For this method, regular photos taken on a smartphone without special preparation are enough. The key is to ensure photos are taken from different angles to accurately recreate the object’s shape. This method requires a high level of skill in 3D modeling and good spatial thinking, as you need to precisely convey all the details. Time costs can be significant, especially for complex objects.

 

 

• Using 2D sketches and drawings: This method is simpler than modeling from photographs but still requires time, especially if the object is complex. You can also rely on photos to better understand the shape and appearance. Time costs depend on the product’s complexity and the completeness of the drawings.
• Using 3D CAD models: If you already have a ready-made 3D CAD model of the product created by an engineer or designer, this greatly speeds up the rendering process. Such models can be developed in AutoCAD, SolidWorks, Rhinoceros (Rhino), and other programs and saved in formats like .dwg, .step, .fbx, .iges, .stl, etc. Before rendering, it’s important to check how the model is displayed in the visualization program, as errors can occur during export and import. These could include open areas, extra holes, or incorrect topology. An experienced 3D modeler can fix such flaws and prepare the model for rendering. This method is the fastest among all ways to prepare 3D models.
• Creating a 3D model from a point cloud: Using a laser scanner or camera, you can create a point cloud that accurately represents the object’s shape. Based on this point cloud, a specialist creates a 3D model for rendering. This method is complex and requires special equipment.

 

SETTING UP MATERIALS AND LIGHTING

After creating the 3D model, you need to set up materials (shaders) to give the object a realistic appearance. Rendering programs allow for flexible adjustments of the object’s color, reflections, transparency, and texture. For example, if your product is available in multiple colors, changing the color on the 3D model can take just a few seconds.

Lighting setup is one of the key stages in 3D rendering. It’s similar to working with lighting in a real photo studio, but here there’s much more flexibility. You can use any number of light sources and adjust them precisely to create the desired light and shadow patterns and reflections that highlight the object’s shape. Additionally, you can add an environment that will be reflected in the object, such as a realistic sky, studio, or outdoor landscape.

3D rendering allows you to create perfect lighting conditions and achieve the desired effect without the limitations of physical studio space or equipment. As a result, you get highly realistic images of the product that are indistinguishable from photos.

 

PHOTOREALISTIC RENDERING AND POST-PROCESSING

 

After setting up the 3D model, materials, and lighting, the next step is rendering. Rendering is the process of creating a 2D image from a 3D model using special algorithms. The rendering time depends on the scene’s complexity, the number of objects and light sources, and the computer’s processing power.

After rendering, the image can be further edited in a photo editor, just like with traditional photography. However, post-processing is often unnecessary if the rendering settings were well-chosen.

 

APPLICATIONS OF 3D RENDERING

 

There are several ways to apply 3D rendering for product visualization:

• Background or Isolated Images: Ideal for websites or catalogs, showcasing products with or without backgrounds.
• Realistic Environment Images: Placing the product in a lifelike setting to highlight its features.
• Exploded Views: Illustrating the internal components of the product by separating them visually.
• Technical Cross-Sections: Demonstrating the arrangement of internal elements by slicing through the product.
• Sketch Views: Used for instructions and technical documentation, providing clear and simplified visualizations.
• 3D Animations: Creating video presentations that bring the product to life.
• Configurators: Allowing users to customize different product variants interactively.
• Interactive 3D Models: Enabling users to rotate and view the product from different angles.
• AR Models: Incorporating the product into augmented reality, allowing users to visualize it in their environment.

 

BENEFITS OF 3D RENDERING OVER PHOTOGRAPHY

3D rendering offers several key benefits:

• Independence from product availability: You can create images of a product that hasn’t been manufactured yet, which is crucial for presentations, catalogs, and marketing materials.
• No need for physical shooting: You don’t need to worry about lighting, transportation, or scheduling a photoshoot.
• Flexibility in customization: You can easily change materials, colors, and textures without reshooting the entire product.
• Cost-effectiveness: While the initial creation of a 3D model may require investment, the long-term savings on photography costs are significant.
• Creative possibilities: 3D rendering allows you to create complex scenes, visual effects, and environments that would be difficult or impossible to achieve in traditional photography.

In conclusion, while traditional photography is still widely used, 3D rendering offers a powerful and flexible alternative, especially for complex, large, or not-yet-manufactured products. By leveraging modern technology, companies can showcase their products in the best possible light without the constraints and costs associated with physical photography.

If you’re interested in exploring 3D rendering for your products, we’d be happy to discuss how we can assist you in creating stunning, photorealistic images that will captivate your audience.