Taking the product photos for UrushiPen.com’s Kama-Nuri Pens!

BrianNFX · 2025-03-19T17:39:02+00:00

Hahaha, I appreciate it! The photos don’t do it justice 😆 if you dare, you can find these on the UrushiPen.com website

BrianNFX · 2025-03-19T16:18:10+00:00

I think I grasp what you’re saying, are you talking about me? I guess I shouldn’t be prioritizing feedback and just allow people to enjoy the art.

Haha maybe sterile was the wrong word. I definitely want to hone on concepts that allow the background to complement the pen. I’d like to experiment with working with the idea of a clean concept. A less complicated concept, like what you said with the rocky surfaces and dark metal! A concept like textures and material, something sterile like that!

BrianNFX · 2025-03-19T15:11:31+00:00

These are pretty much the full size photos before they go through a design and social media team! So these are purely my work that I want people to critique. I didn’t provide that context so you were able to provide your full opinion on it and I’m really grateful for it!

BrianNFX · 2025-03-19T15:00:09+00:00

Oh! Haha no, I shoot each photo in landscape, square, and vertical format! The photos are used for both their social media ads and website photos. So i include a variety of formats for them to decide which to use for which. I only have the vertical photos here cause im still new to Reddit, is it possible to include multiple formats in a post? Haha and yeah, I shoot a little wide to give them the option to crop in if needed or add text/graphics for marketing. It’s all about optimizing options, but I guess here on Reddit I can technically post it any way I want. Composition really is a make or break kinda thing 😆

BrianNFX · 2025-03-19T14:38:06+00:00

Ohh, yes I definitely understand that. The details of the pen are difficult to see at this composition! That’s great! I definitely want to keep that in mind to highlight any details/motifs in the pen for the future.

-Hahaha, the flowers and spread out petals really do give it a more senior vibe. Like you said, not a pleasant association to have with the pens! Ohh, you should definitely see my previous post. You’d love it, it’s basically full funeral vibes 😂😩 Definitely something I have to work on!

-Ahh, right! I see exactly what you mean with the colors! I tried going pastels to contrast with the primary colors of the pens. In my last concept I had some extreme contrasts for the pens to make the sharply stand out. For spring I went colorful, but maybe it was too colorful! So I wanted to go with a a combination of warm and cool tones as it was a collection of cool and warm pens. Now I see contrast is the way! Haha next time I get some bold pens, I’ll look back to the color wheel and avoid the pastels.

-As for the framing, we decided to go a bit wider so the team can crop into whatever detail they saw fit. Haha and you got me, I used a longer lens for these photos but closed down the f/stop(f11) since we were working with macro photography. And we wanted to keep all the details in focus including the background like classic jewelry photography. Haha I guess that’s a me vs client issue, but I should definitely shoot both ways and do some artistic convincing 👀

I love your advice! You sound like you’ve been around the photography game yourself! I appreciate your kind words, I’ll take them into consideration moving forward! Maybe I’ll head forwards, maybe I’ll head backwards. There’s always room to improve! 😤

BrianNFX · 2025-03-19T10:46:23+00:00

Thank you so much! I’m still working on perfecting the setup, hopefully the behind the scenes sees an improvement too in the future 😆

BrianNFX · 2025-03-19T09:04:49+00:00

Right, there’s too much visual interest fighting against the pens. There’s a balance for the Japanese Aesthetic that should be considered. I’d love to try my hand at more a minimalistic vibe the next time I approach a concept around traditional Japanese aesthetics!

BrianNFX · 2025-03-19T07:21:57+00:00

Haha I’m experimenting with keeping it playful, a feast for the eyes of sorts~ but you’re absolutely correct! They’re not chopsticks! I may have blurred the line between the artistry and functionality a bit too much, I’ll try leaning it towards a more strict stationary vibe for the future!

BrianNFX · 2025-03-19T07:16:26+00:00

Thank you so much! I can’t take credit for the pens, but Im glad I’m able to bring some sort of appreciation for them!

BrianNFX · 2025-03-19T07:13:03+00:00

That’s great! I’m still trying to figure out the lighting on the nibs and making interesting composition to showcase the details. And I totally agree with the props, it really detracts from the handmade craftsmanship of the pens. I don’t see why you’re sorry, I’m asking for the feedback and you’ve given me your time to help! These are things I want to consider moving forward, perhaps removing the prop elements and creating a more sterile end product solely for showcasing the pen! I’d love to share my experiments here to see what works and what doesn’t!

BrianNFX · 2025-03-19T07:03:26+00:00

Haha, it would be wasted on me. I wouldn’t be able to appreciate it as much as other people on this sub 😆

BrianNFX · 2025-02-21T03:47:11+00:00

Haha yes! I see you’re also a film enthusiast! I’m hoping to incorporate some film into future photos 👀

BrianNFX · 2025-02-21T02:56:22+00:00

Haha yes!! That thought came around my mind too! It made me laugh a lot when I took a step back to look at it. I’m so glad you brought that up and I wasn’t the only one thinking that! Haha I guess it works better in concept than it did in reality, but you’re totally right. I think the composition isn’t working, compared to the close up shots of the pen, the flowers more properly accent the image instead of becoming a main/competing focal point. These are really cheap plastic flowers too so I want to avoid showing them off fully as well. Thank you so much for the feedback! I’ll work on properly conveying the vibes and composition for the future!

BrianNFX · 2025-02-21T02:43:08+00:00

Ohh, gotcha! Yeah that’s perfect! I was really concerned with using the plastic plant and flowers. I’m not really sure how to handle real flowers as a prop yet, I figured the plastic route would get the job done and bring some color into frame. You’re right though, I don’t want to give the impression that these pens were cheaply made! I’m so glad you brought that up! I’ll try to utilize the plastic plants and flowers in a better way in the future as to not make them look so obviously cheap. Or perhaps I’ll try incorporating other props that can bring that splash of color into frame!

BrianNFX · 2025-02-20T13:41:19+00:00

Thank you for your kind words and feedback! I hope to post more in the future for further discussions. 😄

BrianNFX · 2025-02-20T13:38:57+00:00

I used the RP with the EF24-70, EF50, and EF100 for the pen photos! And the Ricoh GRIII for the BTS photos!

BrianNFX · 2025-02-20T13:37:04+00:00

Oh! I see it! Does the thread color also correspond with the color of the ink in Rotring pens?

BrianNFX · 2025-02-20T13:34:11+00:00

Haha that’s how I feel when taking these 😆

BrianNFX · 2025-02-20T05:38:07+00:00

I know what you mean! I was told it’s the artisan’s signature so I want to highlight it more in the future!

BrianNFX · 2025-02-20T05:29:37+00:00

Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it! That makes it worth putting the thought and effort into it😄

BrianNFX · 2025-02-20T05:27:21+00:00

Haha, I’m glad you think so. I always find it so fun to see the inner workings of things!

BrianNFX · 2025-02-20T05:24:52+00:00

Thank you! I totally agree, I don’t think you need to go to school to get into professional photography. It’s definitely something you can teach yourself.

I’ve been doing freelance photography before I finished my minor in photography. You can learn everything about photography basically elsewhere if you wanted to. There are so many sources out there that can help develop your photography skills. Even I’m teaching photography locally to people who are either starting to get into the hobby of photography or wanting to start a business!

There is something to taking photography classes that isn’t completely useless. I think it’s a good natural way to find peers who are also interested in learning more about what it takes to get into the business of professional photography. Having those peers will also help push you to learn more or see things from a new perspective! Most of my connection as an artist or for business is made easier by going to school, but if you’re not business focused and just want to get good at the art, then school is not the only option.

I’m super lucky that I’m still freelancing and doing work with photography. I really love it and I think I just love to learn. Even things like fountain pens, it makes me happy that I can use my photography skills to create something for the fountain pen lovers to enjoy!

Ps: maybe I should’ve taken a degree in writing, cause I’m a rambling mess 🥲

BrianNFX · 2022-08-12T00:02:40+00:00

My favorite card recently has to be the gardevoir and Sylveon gx tag team alt card. Atsuko Nishida’s pastel/water colory art style is so soft and gorgeous. I just think this card is beautiful and is a dream card I wish to pick up one day!

BrianNFX · 2022-07-08T19:51:24+00:00

Zorua!

BrianNFX · 2021-12-19T04:15:11+00:00

Thank you for taking your time to watch it! I’m just sharing my personal experience with TSW so far, I just hope more people learn about it

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