| 360 degree product photography is a so delicate and | | | | disks. This is pretty simple as long as the disks are |
| involved topic because products come in so many | | | | perfect circles: |
| shapes and sizes. Some may be very reflective, | | | | First, you will need to find something that has a 90 |
| some may have dimensions that will prevent you | | | | degree corner like a piece of a white paper sheet. |
| from simply dropping them on a turntable, and some | | | | Place the right-angle corner of the sheet at any point |
| may have features that can be only highlighted when | | | | on the edge of the plywood disk and mark the other |
| shot from a specific angle while hanging from the top | | | | two points where it crosses the edges on the |
| and with a certain lighting setup. | | | | plywood. Then draw a straight line between the two |
| The more constraints you have in your 360 | | | | marks and connect the marks with a straight line. |
| photography setup the less options you get at your | | | | Now repeat the same procedure using another point |
| disposal for creating smooth 360 product views. It's | | | | on the plywood. The intersection between the two |
| also very important to be able to quickly assess how | | | | lines is the center of the disk. |
| your product appear from different angles with a | | | | The rest of the assembly is pretty straightforward - |
| given setup before you start on the actual | | | | just follow instructions on the bearing package! |
| production of 360 product images. | | | | Now that the major work is done, you need to |
| So before you go ahead and spend your hard earned | | | | decide how many frames your 360 product views will |
| money on a computerized equipment (which is | | | | be comprised of. Usually, 20 frames per view gives a |
| invaluable if you do this commercially), here's a simple | | | | nice balance between the total size of the images |
| guide for building a DIY turntable that will likely solve | | | | download speed and the smoothness of your |
| some of your product photography needs. The good | | | | product rotations. |
| news? It will only cost you a trip to a hardware store | | | | So to get 20 product shots, the turntable should be |
| (Ace Hardware or similar), $40 and an hour of your | | | | able to rotate in 18 degree increments. The key is to |
| time to get it all assembled together! | | | | mark the top plywood disk in such way that you can |
| What you need: | | | | easily identify the increments. One approach is to put |
| - 2 x 23" disks of round plywood - $28 | | | | numbered marks on the side of the disk. Since you |
| - 1 x 12" Lazy Susan Bearing - $6 | | | | already have found the center on the top disk, |
| - 1 sheet of white paper enough to cover the top of | | | | creating the 18-degree marks is pretty simple with a |
| plywood disks | | | | protractor. |
| So the turn table will be built using two disks of | | | | The final step is to attach a piece of white paper on |
| round plywood and a lazy susan bearing attached | | | | the top of the plywood disk where you will be |
| between the disks to provide a smooth and steady | | | | placing your products and put a measuring mark on |
| movement. The bearing is tough enough to deal with | | | | the bottom plywood base. Now put your camera on, |
| weights of up to 400-500 lb or even 1000 lb | | | | align it with the measuring mark on the bottom and |
| depending on a brand, so the weak link is the | | | | the center of the rotation, then place your product |
| plywood. If you go with Shepherd's bearing, they | | | | on the table and you are good to go. |
| come with pretty good assembly instructions. The | | | | Happy 360 Product Photography! |
| key is to find and mark the center on the plywood | | | | |