Traditional Product Photography vs CGI

What should you use? Traditional or CGI product photography? Believe it or not, this age-old discussion is on every business owner’s mind. Everyone always wants to find innovative ways to showcase the beauty of their…

Traditional Product Photography vs CGITraditional Product Photography vs CGI
Table of content

Introduction

What should you use? Traditional or CGI product photography? Believe it or not, this age-old discussion is on every business owner’s mind. Everyone always wants to find innovative ways to showcase the beauty of their product, so it is only natural to question the absolute best method for capturing images.

You can look at this question from several angles. For example, you might want to know what type of photography best suits your product. Another angle is to ask what type of imagery best suits the resources you have. There are many factors that can be included in this discussion, and today we are going to analyze each one and answer the question, “Which type of product photography is better: traditional or CGI?”

What is traditional product photography?

Traditional product photography
What is traditional product photography

In traditional product photography, images are created in a studio environment. You are probably already very familiar with this process, but we will break it down for comparison.

If you want to promote an organic product, this type of imagery is your best bet. Traditional photography is ideal for shooting lifestyle products like clothing or food, and can capture the unique interaction between the product and the light.

After you’ve taken some shots that you’re proud of, you’ll need to edit them. To achieve this, you retouch these photos in post-processing software to remove any unwanted elements. As one of the oldest ways of capturing images, traditional product photography is a great way to showcase your organic product.

What is CGI product photography?

CGI product photography_
What is CGI product photography_

CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery) is the creation of a product in 3D modeling software. This revolutionary technology makes it possible to recreate real products without the need for physical locations or backdrops. It allows products to be photographed with remarkable accuracy, almost indistinguishable from real photos.

With CGI, you can capture lifelike 3D models of your product. This allows photographers to capture images with a level of detail and precision that is impossible to achieve with traditional methods. If you sell hard surface products like watches, jewelry, cosmetics, or perfumes, this photography alternative is the best solution for you. CGI’s versatility means it can be applied to a wide range of products and environments, giving you more creative freedom than other methods.

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Pros and cons of traditional product photography

What are the general advantages and disadvantages of traditional product photography? Well, there are a few points that apply to both. First, there is the interplay of lighting. The simple but effective way light (natural or otherwise) looks when it merges with a product is unmatched. This is especially true for organic products, as they lend themselves best to traditional product photography.

However, you need to be aware that the resources for this type of image capture are not unlimited. For example, time is a factor that is often overlooked when it comes to making decisions. Traditional product photography can be very time-consuming, with scheduling, planning, travel and the actual shooting session taking up a large portion of the time. Plus, the associated costs are relatively high, as you need to hire the right photographer, the right equipment, the right studio, and more.

Pros and cons of CGI product photography

Pros and cons of CGI product photography

https://welpix.com/3d-product-modeling/Let us take a look at the advantages and disadvantages of CGI product photography. Foremost, we must talk about the resource-saving features. With nothing more than a computer and 3D modeling software, you can create stunning marketing materials. It is one of the fastest ways on the market to create images and videos. All you need is a creative idea, and you can get to work. Since all the work is done digitally, it also eliminates all the extra costs that can come with traditional product photography.

As for the drawbacks, there are many voices that say CGI product photography is bad for the industry. The main reason for this fear is that people believe that 3D sometimes makes a photo look too unrealistic and too perfect. This can be true because few people really know how to do professional CGI product photography. In this context, it’ is important to know that 3D product photography and cartoons are not the same thing.

Product photogrpahy cost comparison

Photography cost comparison
Photography cost comparison

Money is a critical factor for many businesses. If we compare the costs of traditional and CGI product photography, there is a clear winner. Let’s start by describing the cost of traditional photography. First, you need to factor in the cost of the studio and equipment rental. Thereafter, you should consider the photographer’s fees, as well as travel and accommodation costs.

On the other hand, CGI is far less costly. There are no studio setup fees, no travel and accommodation costs, and no photographer fees. You only pay for the final images, which depend on the quality of the studio. And since all the work is done remotely, you don’t even have to ship your product. For example, we work with reference pictures that you can easily take with your smartphone, so you won’t incur unnecessary costs.

Quality comparison

Photography vs CGI quality comparison
Photography vs CGI quality comparison

First of all, we must acknowledge that both types of product photography can produce impressive images. Nevertheless, there are some differences in the way the final images turn out, and here we’ will discuss both alternatives.

Impressive traditional product photography depends entirely on the experience of the photographer’ and the quality of the equipment. There are other factors at play, such as weather conditions and the ability to rent and set up a studio. If all these factors are right, the pictures can become really professional. Especially in the organic industry, traditional product photography is an ideal option for companies all over the world.

However, CGI product photography can also help you create stunning visual content. The final images depend largely on the skills of the photographer, who can work remotely with 3D modeling software. CGI has an added advantage that does not exist in traditional product photography – full control.

While artists used to have to rely heavily on external factors to produce stunning images, with CGI you no longer have to worry about any of that. This groundbreaking technology allows you to shape reality with your fingertips, creating realistic and highly engaging images.

Conclusion: Which is Best for Your Business?

Product photography can be a powerful tool for any business – especially e-commerce. The way you present your product can determine the success of a good marketing campaign. It’s all about appealing to your audience and providing them with great value and lots of information.

CGI offers an ideal way to create realistic and cost-effective images. It also allows you to manipulate colors, textures and lighting effects. The main advantages of CGI product photography are its resource-saving features, such as time and money, and it’s best suited for products with hard surfaces.

On the other hand, traditional photography offers a more natural approach that allows you to capture products in all their glory. To figure out which type of product photography is best for your business, you need to know the needs and preferences of your target audience.

FAQ

How does the cost of CGI compare to traditional product photography?

CGI product photography is far less expensive than traditional product photography. This is mainly because you don’t have to pay fees such as studio and equipment renting, photographer rates, and travelling and accommodation expenses.

What are the pros of using CGI compared to traditional product photography?

The pros of using CGI instead of traditional product photography are centered around resources. CGI is simply cheaper and faster, since you can start working on your visual content in no time.

How can you decide whether you need CGI or traditional product photography?

To decide whether you need CGI or traditional product photography, you should consider the type of product you want to promote, as well as what resources you have available. Read this article carefully and make up your own mind!

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Martin Pitonak

Martin Pitonak is a creative professional and entrepreneur with nearly 20 years of experience in the creative industry. His passion for helping businesses in all areas of visual marketing sets him apart in a variety…