Photographer Spotlight: Edgar Cervantes

Photographer Spotlight: Edgar Cervantes



Humans are visual creatures and there are few things that can really bring out the beauty in the world more than a well tuned photo. With so many different types of photography out there, it’s hard to categorize them all. Whether it’s product photography, nature, wildlife, portrait, or even stock photos, photography is a medium that’s as varied as it is nuanced.

To celebrate the launch of the new Swappa camera store, we wanted to take a few moments to feature a few of our favorite photographers. It’s our way of showing support for those who capture art, wherever it may be. By understanding the tech they use, we hope this will provide a little insight into what goes into capturing that perfect shot.

First up is Edgar Cervantes, a tech journalist out of San Diego, CA, who operates under the business name 5th Reflection Product Photography. Edgar specializes in, you guessed it, product photography. It’s not what typically comes to mind when you think of traditional photography, but it’s an important and vital component for companies looking to bring their products to life. Whether it’s online ads, magazines, or billboards, it’s big business and you see everyday, but don’t often think about.

How did you get started in photography?

I got started in photography after getting a DSLR for my journalism work. I just wanted to take better pictures. After playing around with a more serious camera and learning more about photography, I became addicted.

What was your first camera?

My first “real” camera was a Nikon D3100.

What do you love most about product photography?

I love that I can really take my time to set up a shot. Fine tune every last detail. A lot of this has to do with dealing with companies that have the resources to cover serious sessions. They plan things well ahead of time (a big product release for instance), so there’s no rush.

If I’m being completely honest, it’s also nice that I usually don’t have to deal with people. Don’t get me wrong, models can be great. But it’s much easier to manipulate an object than direct a human around. I also really enjoy the exposure. Seeing photos you’ve meticulously set up being used in advertising and product packaging is extremely rewarding.

What’s the hardest part about product photography?

The hardest part about product photography is that you are held to such a high standard. These are photos that will be used in very important (and expensive) advertising. These are the shots that will represent manufacturers in a worldwide scale, so there’s no room for error. It can be a lot of pressure.

What’s in your camera bag?

  • Nikon D610
  • 50mm f/1.8 prime
  • 105mm f/2.8 macro
  • 18-35mm (when I need a more general lens)

I also have a 70-300mm I throw in the bag if I have enough space to spare along with a handful of diffusers and polarizers, as well as a small reflector when the situation calls for it.

If you could bring only one piece of equipment on a shoot (excluding camera/lens), what would it be?

Definitely a small light or a reflector. Lighting is absolutely key for a good product shot. With the right lighting, you could take an amazing shot even with a smartphone. I really can’t emphasize this enough.

Future piece of camera gear you have your eye on?

I am looking at the “big boy” lenses now. Currently eyeing a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens.

What phone are you currently using?

Laptop

Smart home tech

Who is your favorite photographer?

Joey Lawrence. His work has a very unique style that you can identify the second you see it. It’s very dreamy, yet real and raw. His work also extends across the board. You can find him shooting commercial photography for movies, TV shows, popular magazines, and famous personalities.

Then he uses those same resources to go shoot communities in third-world countries, willingly stepping into war zones to capture his iconic photos. Those are the shots that really inspire me. They are interesting, unique, look stunning. Shooting like that requires balls — an amount very few people have.

Where can people find you online?

 

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