Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Vinjatek
    • Home
    • Shop
    • About
    • Contact
    • Gear
      1. Reviews
      2. Bags
      3. Clothing
      4. Flashlights
      5. Footwear
      6. Hunting
      7. EDC
      8. Guns
      9. Tech
      10. Knives
      11. Pens
      12. Outdoors
      13. Optics
      14. Tools
      Featured

      Best Camping Cot Reviews: Expert’s Picks & Buying Guide

      By Carl Williams05/12/2022
      Recent

      Best Camping Cot Reviews: Expert’s Picks & Buying Guide

      05/12/2022

      Best Snowshoes Reviews: Expert Picks & Buying Tips

      29/11/2022

      Best Sleeping Pad Reviews: Expert’s Picks & Buying Guide

      29/11/2022
    • Sections
      • Lifestyle
      • Tactical
      • Survival
      • Preparedness
      • Restricted
      • Hiking
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Vinjatek
    You are at:Home»Lifestyle»Ask: How is Your Gear Photography Done?
    Lifestyle

    Ask: How is Your Gear Photography Done?

    avatarBy vinja14/09/20165 Comments4 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Vinjatek on a Jet /// ASK
    Ask: Does Titanium Set Off Metal Detectors at Airport Security?
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    ASK is a series of posts answering questions asked by readers about the operative, survivalist and nomadic lifestyle. Contact us to ask your own.

    “I’ve been following your blog for quite some time and have started my own which is heavily inspired by your design and style. I’ll be doing reviews and such, so how is your gear photography shot and edited?”

    -Warren O.
    Florida, USA

    ANSWER ///

    I’m no pro photographer nor do I use any specialized gear. As a vagabond, I try to keep my packing list as light as possible. So all I use is a smartphone and some apps.

    But it’s not as simple as “point and shoot” then filter. It takes lighting, proper backgrounds and specific editing.

    VINJABOND Gear Photo Editing ///My photography style is not exactly fit for official product page placements but people do seem to like it, so if you want to do the same, these are the steps:

    1) Camera //

    Contents

    • 1 1) Camera //
    • 2 2) Lighting //
    • 3 3) Background //
    • 4 4) Editing //

    As mentioned earlier, I don’t use a dedicated camera. I use my iPhone 6S or Xperia Z5. Using an actual or high-end camera can result in better results, but with the following steps, it’s hardly necessary.

    Just remember to clean your lens with microfiber, center focus on the item and take a solid steady shot.

    With a decent smartphone, good lighting and a steady hand, you can get gear shots just like mine.

    2) Lighting //

    Without not just good lighting, but very specific conditions, I don’t bother setting up. As a nomad, it’s hard finding that but this is what I need:

    Bright white light from above is the most ideal, directly underneath with no angle from the source. This way there are no shadows and uneven coverage of the item. However, it can be tricky to get a shot without your own shadow (head, hands and camera) in it. So take the shot with the item in the upper third of the photo and crop later, to avoid casting your own shadow.

    Don’t even bother dealing with bad lighting, no amount of editing can give you worthy results.

    3) Background //

    I use 1 of 3 very specific backgrounds for all my gear photography (other than outdoor action shot). Luckily, 2 of those backgrounds are actually part of my packing list, the 3rd however is only available if I happen to find it through my travels.

    The most prevailant background I use (also used with the example photo in this post) is the back of my FAST Pack EDC Backpack. For less centralized gear shots, I layout my Raptor Hoodie Jacket in a random “wave” pattern and set the items on top. For large item shots, such as clothing and backpacks, I wait until I come across a deep black table or floor.

    Avoid reflective backgrounds that cause heavy glare and detracts from the item and kill the shot.

    4) Editing //

    I would never post a raw and unedited photo, they can always be made better and in this case, tailored to my style… This is how I edit them:

    First the raw image is opened in Photoshop CS6. It is cropped and sized. Most traces of color (80 percent) on the background is removed but retained in the actual item. The edges and corners are slightly “burned” and sometimes an inner shadow is applied, depending on how the lighting affected the image – to have even darkness / brightness throughout.

    The edited image is opened in Snapseed (OS + PC) and the “Grunge” filter is applied to the most accurate color scheme of the original photo. It is sharpened greatly, slightly with the structure and finally a big boost in contrast.

    You don’t necessarily need to use those apps, cheaper and even free ones can be used just as well.

    Due to the popularity of this question, I’ll be publishing a more in depth guide to my gear photography. If you’re a Pro Member, hit me up for more details on this.

    3,210
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous ArticleWhy I Never Hit the Gym and What I do Instead
    Next Article Microtech Assailant Knife Card : Review
    avatar
    vinja

      American patriot, former covert operative and active operations consultant, living globally as a vagabond.

      Related Posts

      Best Cooler With Wheels Reviews: Top Picks & Buyer’s Tips

      29/11/2022

      Long-Haul Flight Survival Guide

      29/11/2022

      A Day in The Life of a Nomad: Amazon Jungle

      29/11/2022

      What to Take Camping: Here’s Your Camping Checklist

      24/11/2022

      5 Comments

      1. avatar
        Warren Oza on 14/09/2016 2:28 AM

        Ahh thanks for answering my ASK question! Feel so honored!

        Reply
      2. avatar
        Specialist Zero on 14/09/2016 2:42 AM

        Love your gear photos and have wondered how you did them, no wonder they go viral. I’ll be copying your method for my instgram EDC posts.

        Reply
      3. avatar
        Pew Pew Blam on 14/09/2016 8:07 AM

        Great stuff my man, gonna up my EDC instagram game now to.

        Reply
      4. avatar
        Egan Irv on 14/09/2016 8:13 AM

        Signed up Pro for this, good stuff buddy.

        Reply
      5. avatar
        Fen Edo on 14/09/2016 8:19 AM

        Using the backpack back panel is brilliant and looks bad ass.

        Reply

      Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

      About
      About

      An outdoors, tactics, lifestyle & urban survival site that focuses on the ideology, methodology, mindset and tactics of a covert operative to utilize in life, work and play.

      Facebook Twitter Instagram

      Advertiser Disclosure:
      Some links may be affiliate links. We may get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these

      Latest
      Camping

      Best Camping Cot Reviews: Expert’s Picks & Buying Guide

      By Carl Williams05/12/2022

      There’s nothing better than pitching a tent and spending time in the Great Outdoors; that…

      Best Cooler With Wheels Reviews: Top Picks & Buyer’s Tips

      29/11/2022

      Best Snowshoes Reviews: Expert Picks & Buying Tips

      29/11/2022

      Best Sleeping Pad Reviews: Expert’s Picks & Buying Guide

      29/11/2022
      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • Pinterest
      • Instagram

      Vinjatek
      Facebook Twitter Instagram
      • Home
      • About
      • Shop
      • Contact
      • Privacy Policy
      • Terms & Conditions
      Vinjatek is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com
      Vinjatek™ Copyright © 2019 - 2022 Kooc Media Ltd. All rights reserved. Registered Company No.05695741 // Survival / Outdoors / Tactics / Gear

      Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.