CGI stands for Computer Generated Imagery. It is the creation of visual content using computer software. Technological advancements mean it is possible to create images that are indistinguishable from photographs. CGI is virtual photography and used more than ever, the last advert you saw is most likely created using CGI. The benefits are cost, time, and quality.
CGI is not only reserved for blockbuster movies. Did you know that 75% of the Ikea catalog is CGI? Furniture manufactures and online sellers realise the importance of product images. It is the first thing customers look at and will be one of the most important factors in the product’s success.
Which one of these would you buy?
Image Credit: sumo.com
Take a look at your competitors and even your site. I imagine most images are photographs on a white background. Having clean product images with no distractions is important. Your website is where your customers are most likely to buy. The best way to showcase your product is with these crisp images.
Cost
Transporting products and staff costs money and can be a logistical nightmare. As well as renting a photography studio, equipment, and a photographer. Products that come in different materials and configurations add to the shipping costs. Not only a monetary cost, but shipping products has an environmental impact. This environmental impact is avoided with CGI.
CGI gives the opportunity to see and sell the product before it even goes into production. Seeing the product pre-production saves much wasted time and resources. With CGI the only cost is the CGI itself.
Time
If you need different variations of a product then photography would seem archaic compared to the speed of CGI. Time, traveling and shipping products to the shoot on top of the time it takes to do the actual photoshoot soon snowballs. CGI is faster than doing a traditional photoshoot because there is no need for a photoshoot at all.
There is also no room for error with a traditional photoshoot as you only get one chance to do the shoot. With CGI it is possible to make changes all the way up to the publication of the images. CGI lets you alter product images without needing to reshoot.
Once the CGI version of the product has been made it can be used over and over for future product images. And finally, with CGI, marketing material can be distributed before the product even exists.
Quality
With CGI materials can easily be exaggerated to show off a ‘better than real-life’ quality. No need for retouching photos after the shoot.
If you have ever tried to line up photos to flick from material to material you will know it is almost impossible. Above you will see the smooth transition between images when using CGI. With CGI you get exactly the same image in different variations.
Conclusion
From being around traditional photoshoots I am a massive advocate of CGI. I honestly believe that CGI is a more cost-effective and smarter way to work.
I hope I have helped to highlight some of the key reasons why I believe you should be investigating CGI for your product images.
If you have would like to talk about getting your product images created, send me a message on denham.io