Objective: To produce sets of images that capture the same object with different backgrounds, lighting conditions, and camera angles.
Deadline for upload: March 7th, 2024
Content needs: Sets of images of the same object with different backgrounds, lighting conditions, and camera angles.
A set of images consists of 36 images of the same object photographed with:
- Different surfaces (tabletop, wooden floor, etc.)
- 4 different backgrounds, 9 images per background (indoors or outdoors), each with different lighting conditions.
- Shoot a variety of camera angles, distances and horizonal and vertical orientations moving within 360° of the object making surethe object is centered in the frame throughout ALL the backgrounds.Object categories / locations*
- A variety of everyday objects (see slides 12 & 13 for suggestions).
- Locations: Indoors or outdoors (any interior, e.g., living room, dining room, kitchen, garage (see slide 8 for suggestions).
*Locations: For any setting: the contributor must be allowed to take photos and not be prohibited by the venue/location. Photographer must obtain express permission to photograph in each location.
File size and format: Submitted files must be in JPEG format, with a minimum file size of 4 megapixels.
Camera requirements: Images can be taken with a DSLR/mirrorless camera or smartphone. If a DSLR/SLR is used, only standard lenses, no art lenses or tilt-shift.
Object placement and Camera angles:
- Object must be in the center of the frame throughout ALL the backgrounds you shoot.
- Object should be fully shown and not partially or completely covered by anything.
- Once you have your object in place with your background, don’t move it. Instead, use your camera to capture a variety of cameraangles and orientations moving within a range of 360°. Photograph 9 images per background moving within a range of 360° degrees of the object, but if it’s physically not possible, a range of 0° to 270° degrees is OK.
- Aspect ratio: Horizontal and vertical aspect ratios are acceptable in an image set, as long as the object is in the center of the frame.
- Camera to object distance: Capture a variety of camera-to-object distances (close-up, medium shots) with the object in the center of theframe.
- Object size in frame: Object should be at least 10% of the total image, max of 50%.
- Depth of field: Shallow depth of field is OK if the background is recognizable and not too out of focus.
Capture a variety of camera-to-object distances (close-up, medium shots) with object in the center of the frame.
![](https://www.vms-studio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/image-5-1024x374.png)
Lighting and exposure: All images should be properly exposed (not under or over) for each background with minimum ISO grain.
Lighting should be a mix of natural/artificial lighting conditions for each object. Photograph the same object in different locations
with different lighting (e.g., next to a window, in a room with no windows, in a bathroom, outside on a park bench, on a sidewalk, etc.)
- Natural: direct sunlight, magic hour, overcast light, window light, twilight, backlight
- Artificial: LED, strobe, neon/colored, tungsten, halogen, fluorescent, incandescent
- Note: The lighting indoors can be varied by adjusting artificial lighting (different types of light source and strength)
- Focus: The object should be crisp and in focus for every image with no motion blur.
- Color balance: All images must be properly color-balanced either within camera while shooting or in post-production before submitting.
- Images do NOT require retouching.
- Do NOT use any filters that alter the color and lighting of final images.
Lighting and exposure: All images should be properly exposed (not under or over) for each background with minimum ISO grain.
Lighting should be a mix of natural/artificial lighting conditions for each object. Photograph the same object in different locations with different lighting (e.g., next to a window, in a room with no windows, in a bathroom, outside on a park bench, on a sidewalk, etc.)
- Natural: direct sunlight, magic hour, overcast light, window light, twilight, backlight
- Artificial: LED, strobe, neon/colored, tungsten, halogen, fluorescent, incandescent
- Note: The lighting indoors can be varied by adjusting artificial lighting (different types of light source and strength)
- Focus: The object should be crisp and in focus for every image with no motion blur.
- Color balance: All images must be properly color-balanced either within camera while shooting or in post-production before submitting.
Content needs overview + criteria | Post-production
- Images do NOT require retouching.
- Do NOT use any filters that alter the color and lighting of final images.Filenames:
Content must be cleared for Commercial use:
All content needs to be cleared for commercial use and have property releases if required by the venue. No trademarked designs, brand logos, or brand associated patterns or logos.
No offensive content: We don’t allow mature, abusive, or illegal content. This includes, but is not limited to, the following
- Nudity
- Profanity (including hand gestures)
- Sexually suggestive content or pornographic material
- Depictions of minors in a sexual manner*
- Hateful or highly offensive content that attacks or dehumanizes a group based on race, ethnicity, nationalorigin, religion, serious disease or disability, gender, age, or sexual orientation
- No weapons, graphic violence or gore
- Illegal activities or goods
- Self-harm or the promotion of self-harm
- Promotion of terrorism or violent extremism
- Dissemination of misleading, fraudulent, or deceptive content that could lead to real-world harm
Content needs overview + criteria | Locations* and backgrounds
Locations can be indoors or outdoors, and backgrounds should be diverse (next to a window is fine if it’s too cold outside). It’s OK to repeat backgrounds but change object positions and lighting conditions so images don’t all look the same.
- Indoors: living room, kitchen, home office, dining room, laundry room, bathroom, etc.
- Outdoors: park, yard, balcony, porch, street, garage, driveway, sidewalk, etc.Surfaces:
• The object can be placed on ALL types of surfaces (bench, table, floor, sofa, bed, etc.) as long as it rests as it normally appears (i.e., NOT suspended in air, upside down, etc.)
Additional requirements:
- Backgrounds should NOT be monotone or solid plain colors shot on a studio backdrop (i.e., no isolated product shots that just feature the object on a surface or a solid wall behind it).
- Backgrounds can have other objects, but the object should be the main focus.
- Real-life clutter behind the object is OK as long as feels organic to the background (i.e., a cup on a desk with office suppliesand a computer in the background).
- Backgrounds should not be over exposed or underexposed.
- Ensure there are no intellectual property issues on background objects (ex. Apple logo on computer), walls withframed artwork or signs with trademarks.
* Locations: For any setting: the contributor must be allowed to take photos and not be prohibited by the venue/location. Photographer must obtain express permission to photograph in each location.
Object categories | Content needs overview
Our content needs consist of everyday objects that are:
- New, old, used, or broken objects
- Have distinct and unique features (i.e., a special pattern or design that makes it stand out).
- Have no intellectual property (IP) issuesAvoid:
- Plain colored objects with no distinctive and unique features (i.e., a solid-colored coffee cup, a plain red t-shirt, a white candle).
- Objects with intellectual property (IP) that have visible logos or well-known trademark designs such as:
o Trademarked Designs: Rubik’s Cube, Crocs, Lego’s, Coca-Cola, Zippo, Pokémon, Snoopy, Crayola, Absolut Vodka, Barbie, etc.
o Brand Logos: Apple/Dell/LG/Samsung/Microsoft*, Duracell, Kikkoman, Starbucks, Disney, Nike, Adidas, McDonald’s, Marvel, etc.See the next slide for Intellectual property visual references. The examples above are not inclusive of all applicable IP issues. Submitted images with IP issues will be rejected during the moderation process and contributors won’t be compensated for such submissions.
*Optional: ensure that all visible branding is made unidentifiable by covering logos with tape that matches the color of the object (i.e., silver tape covering an Apple logo on a silver laptop).
Visual references | Objects with intellectual property (IP)
Avoid objects with IP that have visible logos or well-known trademark designs. Submitted images with IP issues will be rejected during the moderation process and contributors won’t be compensated for such submissions.
![](https://www.vms-studio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/image-6-1024x490.png)
Visual references | Plain vs. unique objects
AVOID:
- Plain-colored objects with no distinctive and unique features
- Isolated product shots where you can only see the surface or a monotone background
PRIORITIZE:
- Objects with distinctive and unique features(i.e.,special patterns/designs)
- Othero bjects in the background (clutter)are OK aslong as the main object is in the focus
Object categories | Small
Small objects with distinct and unique features and no IP issues: Note: List is not in order of priority.
- Decorative items (like unique vases, picture frames, ornamental items)
- Kids toys (commercially safe, non-branded toys)
- Soft objects that can change shape (stuffed animals, pillows, blankets, etc.)
- Household items
- Appliances (small)
- Musical instruments
- Fashion
- Food (please AVOID any fruits and vegetables)
- Sporting goods
- Outdoor items
- Animals (pets, not in the wild, i.e., dogs, cats, lizards, fish, turtles, birds, etc.)
Visual references | 360° Object image set
Content needs: Capture the same object with 4 different backgrounds, lighting conditions, camera-to-object distance, and camera angles. e set = 9 images per background (36 images total)
![](https://www.vms-studio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/image-7-1024x447.png)
Submissions | Important things to remember
Pay attention to these 3 things when photographing your object sets to increase your approval rate when submitting.
Images that don’t follow this criteria will be rejected during the moderation process and photographers won’t be compensated for such submissions.
Ensure variety/proper exposure within each set of images with NO similars
- Images submitted cannot be identical or nearly identical, each image in a set should be unique to ensure we get as much variety as possible.
- Capture the object from different angles, heights, and perspectives.
- Shoot both horizontal and vertical compositions.
- Capture a variety of camera-to-object distances (close-up, medium shots) as long as the object is centralized in the frame.
NO Intellectual Property Issues
- Objects with intellectual property (IP) that have visible logos or well-known trademark designs.
- See slides 9 & 10 for more information.
Visual references | Recommended workflow
Content needs: Capture the same object with 4 different backgrounds, lighting conditions, camera-to-object distance, and camera angles. One object image set = 9 images per background (36 images total)
- Select your object from the small/large category list. Prioritize objects with distinctive and unique features.
- Choose an indoor or outdoor background.
- Set your object on a surface in your background. Object must be in the center of the frame on all backgrounds.
- Photograph 9 images per background moving within a range of 360° degrees of the object, but if it’s physically not possible, a range of 0° to 270° degrees is OK.
- Repeat shooting the same object in up to 4 different backgrounds with different lighting (mix of indoor & outdoor).
![](https://www.vms-studio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/image-8-1024x778.png)
Submission of Work
Submission will be through a dashboard using your gmail account. Further information will be provided upon hire.