Apple is known for their attention to detail but it may surprise you to know that just how much work is put into their product photos.
Photographer Dwight Eschliman reveals that 54 photos he took of the iPod touch were combined to make one product image that was perfectly in focus.
The most challenging aspect of shooting store panels for Apple is the balance between the size of the file and the depth of field. Often the products small enough that our depth of field is very narrow. In order for the product to appear entirely in focus, we have to shoot a number of focus zones, which are stitched together in post. This video is a stop motion video made from all of the focus zones that were shot for this iPod Touch. The number in the corner is the number of the focus zone. In the video you can see the progression of the focus march from front to back. For this left iPod Touch, it took 54 frames just to get the product to appear completely in focus.
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Comments (4)
Comments are closed for this article.
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cody - February 16, 2012 at 8:33pm
... he couldn't just stop down the lens?
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David - February 16, 2012 at 5:12pm
Okay... but why so many?
Couldn't the photographer just increase depth of field and perhaps only stitch 5-10 photos? Seems more like a lower skilled photographer than a demanding company.
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David - February 16, 2012 at 5:15pm
Oh wait, I just remembered that since it's close-up photography, depth-of-field is reduced. But still, it's not reduced by THAT much. We're talking about photographing iPod's and other gadgets, not ants and morning dew.
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Notch - February 16, 2012 at 5:10pm
This is better than using CGI? The photos look so manipulated already I assumed this was the case. Seems odd to start over again for every shot and angle.