Please advise on product photography. I list electronic test equipment
on my website. I have a 7 mega pixel camera. I just tried using a
white-white background for my pictures but after much effort I finally
realized that a very-white background is not the best solution. I wish
to use Photoshop to eliminate the background behind the equipment so
each item appears to float. Exactly like is done in many product
catalogs. I know this is very common but there must be a trick or
technique I'm not aware of. Of course I'd like the best quality,
professional pictures possible but I do understand that people spend
many years to become proficient in photography. So, I am realistic in
my expectations. But, I know I can get getter pictures than I have
currently.

First, is there and good online info on using a digital camera for
product photograph (product advertising)?

Second, what background would be best. Do I need a green-screen?
Obviously, a white-white background is not the answer. Plus the
white-ness seems to compete with the darker colors, especially black,
and the camera doesn't seem to process the scene correctly.


the old fashioned way to do this was to use a 'product' table which was a
frame that held two sheets of plexi that curved up at the back end, way up,
and curved down in the front. you could raise the top layer from an inch to
six or so, and put a sheet of paper under and literally float your item and
even get a real drop shadow or no shadow at all.

some of the issues you maybe having is that you are using some AUTO
functions, a camera sensor will assume a medium gray, the ultimate 'all
things equal' and so when the sensor sees a view of white it will give you
an exposure that will render a medium gray. A dark or black object
surrounded by white, as well as a bright object surrounded by black just
confuse the hell out off sensors.

you might want to try to use manual exposure, just do a test where you shoot
each f/stop or even 1/2 stop, once you get your expo selected you can shoot
at that from then on.

search ebay for EZcube and buy one, they are cheap for what you get. that
will smooth out the lighting and if you put the light source at the same
place you should get reasonably close exposure each time.

put your item on a small box and see if that helps, even if it shows you can
erase it in photoshop.