Taking photos of signage

paddylonglegs

Hi guys,

I'm looking for some tips on how best to take photos of signage. Its for a signage company and i want to figure out how I should set up my shot to look good. Most of the ones they have are just photos of the sign directly with nothing else around. They just don't look very good. Because its a strange subject that are generally based on buildings, they are usually above the eyeline of the camera.

If there are any links or sites on how best to take photos of signs I'd really appreciate it. I can't find any information on line

THanks

DaireQuinlan

Any examples of what you're talking about ? One thing that occurs to me is, if they're always high up on buildings, would be to invest in a good shift lens, as an alternative to correcting in PS.

Metric Tensor

Maybe from a ladder or a hoist when they are in-situ?

paddylonglegs

One thought I have had is, is it better to have the photos taken from where a person will normally be standing? I have seen some taken from hoists and they look out of proportion unless there is something to scale it with (a car, human). I can't figure out whether it better to take it further back where it can be seen in situ, or better close up so you can see it in detail. I will start looking at photos on other sites and see what works

tricky D

You should be able to do a good bit of Perspective distortion to remove the skewing in Photoshop. There are cameras that achieve this in the camera by having a sensor which can move unlike the usual ones which are fixed perpendicular to the axis. I've seen these used for 'straightening' out skews for architecture photos but they are bloody expensive.

camvas

I used work as a designer for a sign company. Remember where the signs are meant to be seen from, normally street! I'd also try and show a little of the streetscape and the building itself. also If the sign is illuminated you may need to take photo's when the light is fading. (alot of signs are on time clocks and may turn off late at night) A lot of business would have branded vans or cars so if possible it may look good if you can have theses in shot to.
Good luck

Bluefoam

Sorry for raising a zombie thread. Was just browsing old posts and thought this was interesting:

I follow an account on Instagram called @dublinghostsigns & while it's not about representing new & well branded installations, his compositions are interesting.

I would look at it from the point of view from the other side of the street, taking in the shopfront, maybe some of the adjacent buildings & people passing (long exposure)... & accompany it with a close up of some interesting detail from the sign, not necessarily trying to show the whole sign in one detailed view.

paddylonglegs

Bluefoam wrote: »

Sorry for raising a zombie thread. Was just browsing old posts and thought this was interesting:

I follow an account on Instagram called @dublinghostsigns & while it's not about representing new & well branded installations, his compositions are interesting.

I would look at it from the point of view from the other side of the street, taking in the shopfront, maybe some of the adjacent buildings & people passing (long exposure)... & accompany it with a close up of some interesting detail from the sign, not necessarily trying to show the whole sign in one detailed view.

Nice one, good ideas there. I like ghost signs account too