Teapots and Studio Work

As a foreigner I like to adapt to my surroundings. Being in England I hope to accustom myself to a bit of the English culture, in aid of doing that I have taken up collecting novelty tea pots – Very British. My collection started off with a chicken, so far have four others; a cup cake, a bunny in a dress and apron whose holding her own little tea pot in which the real tea actually comes out of (adorable), a black cat and a house.  Yesterday myself and a few others booked out the studio and what better subject to practise on than my teapots? Nothing.

This shoot is purely experimental, just to practise with lighting and becoming more comfortable with the studio. To start off with me and my assistants, Simon, Chris and Aislinn, set up the scene. I wanted to use a purple background because I thought a nice bright colour would be a fun addition to the photograph. I don’t want the photographs to look old fashioned and boring I want to show people that novelty teapots are fun and not only for old people, contrary to the remarks I usually receive. I also had an idea in my head of how I wanted the image to look.  I would photograph the tea pots individually, I would place them on an old fashion table I have at home because I think it looks appropriate. I wanted the lighting on the actual tea pot to be clean and I wanted a certain brightness on the backdrop glowing around the teapot.

Our initial set up was as above. We placed a soft box on the right and a snoot directing light onto the backdrop behind the teapot.



The above images were the first couple of shots, they were ok, but not what I was after. I realised there was an imbalance and I wanted a soft box on the other side as well.

So the above photograph shows the new set up.

I think I took this image horribly wrong. The angle and where the table is at in the image is just uncomfortable.

I quite like the two above images, I think the subject is used better in its space. I also think the lightings ok but I’m sure I could do more, but it’s a decent start.

Next, my cupcake teapots.



The teapot photographs just look a mess. The teapot is over exposed, the back drop looks a mess. I haven’t done well here but am keen to improve in our next booking in the studio.