What's the point ?

[rashedahmed]

For some years, specially product photography has got the look & feel of 3D /CGI. Then what's the point of shooting a pro quality beer bottle and later turn it in to a computer generated image in post production ?

[Ed_Ingold]

Aren't all digital images "computer generated?" That aside, a CGI version of a still image can be placed where you want it, oriented or viewed from a different angle, and can even move in a realistic fashion. I suspect the example you cite is related to "product placement," an important source of revenue for the producers and advertisement for the sponsor.

 

Assuming you have a computer, turn to the setup page for your video card. Options for the display of 3D animation will be illustrated.

[Charles_Webster]

For some years, specially product photography has got the look & feel of 3D /CGI. Then what's the point of shooting a pro quality beer bottle and later turn it in to a computer generated image in post production ?

Because it has to be perfect. It is exceedingly difficult to shoot absolutely perfect product photos, so why not just get 99% close and let the digital artist who will composite it with the background, etc. fix it up?

 

And if you have ever shot beer bottles and glasses, it's way more difficult than people imagine, in fact all food photography is much more difficult than the audience thinks.

[Ed_Ingold]

A task frequently given to photography students is to shoot a golf ball on a white background. A more recent example is a clear glass vase on plexiglass.

 

It's all about light and the control thereof. The camera and medium is secondary. I suggest you read the book, "Light, the Science and Magic" by Bivens and Fuqua. Among other things you will learn why crossed polarizers are not a panacea. Another classic reference is "Photoshop Masking and Compositing" by Katrin Eismann.

[Sandy Vongries]

For some years, specially product photography has got the look & feel of 3D /CGI. Then what's the point of shooting a pro quality beer bottle and later turn it in to a computer generated image in post production ?

 

To earn a good living? Satisfaction of doing your best? Just for fun?

[Wilmarco Imaging]

Agree with Phil. Product images can be created from CAD/Industrial design rendering software with no camera involved in the process. To the OP's question: what's the point? To achieve the creative objective as quickly as possible within the budget.

[BeBu Lamar]

They should be using CGI for wedding photography too (well if they do that may be it's not photography)

[Ed_Ingold]

They should be using CGI for wedding photography too (well if they do that may be it's not photography)

What does the customer want? An acquaintance who ran a popular ice cream stand once said, "If the customer wants ice cream in his pocket, you ask him to stand closer to the window."

 

Most portraits, wedding or other, need a significant amount of retouching, which may approach CGI in some respects.

[Jochen_S]

photography has got the look & feel of 3D /CGI

Isn't that the case with glamour photography too? - Facial skin entirely airbrushed and a tad of PP plastic surgery on the side?

We sell products as something they aren't or at least won't stay for long. - Do we sell products at all? Or just the dreams related to them?

I guess the only field where honest product photography is needed is the retail of used goods, where cosmetic condition dictates the price.

[movingfinger]

Do we sell products at all? Or just the dreams related to them?

I guess the only field where honest product photography is needed is the retail of used goods, where cosmetic condition dictates the price.

The first rule of selling is to get the customer to stop and notice your product. So as you suggest, in product advertisement, one does not offer the mundane reality (even in the glamour world), rather one offers the dream. On the web getting customers to stop and notice is called "click bait".

 

Even in communist and totalitarian societies where the leadership 'sells' the glories of the revolution and/or work and/or the leader, photography is employed to make those things seem wonderful, marvelous.

 

In any domain where photography is employed first and foremost to get people to stop and notice something you wish to sell them, honesty is way down on the priority scale. In particular with used goods, post processing to hide defects and flaws can be very useful. Sellers wishing to be honest can tell themselves they will discuss the flaws and shortcomings after the potential buyer has placed his foot in the door or responded to the ad with an inquiring email.;)