ABSTRACT
Commercial photography is a large sector in the applied photographic arts and deals with images that require different degrees of creative input. At one extreme there is the formulaic, repetitive world of catalogue photography and the pack shot. At end is the apparent glamour and creativity of the motor vehicle advertising industry. Product and pack shot photography is the art of quite literally putting a product 'in the best light' showing off its qualities to make it desirable through the use of props and setting, and lighting. Product information is rarely conveyed in these images, which are intended to make us want the product depicted to the point where will go out and buy it. Images are created for fine-art purposes as well as for commercial/advertising and editorial purposes. Students looking for a start in car photography can always begin with custom cars or friends' vehicles to start producing a portfolio of images that will get them a first commission.
