Frequently Asked Questions
Please select from the list below for answers to frequently asked questions. If you have any other questions which you think should be added please email us at info@swiftspin.co.uk
How much does it cost?
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Surprisingly little compared to flat photography. In fact, our standard tariff starts at just £18 per Swiftspin. Prices include everything from photographing your product, colour-balancing and animating the images, to supplying your web designer with the finished fully formatted files. Why not send for an estimate to see just how little it will cost to rotate your products? |
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Is it more expensive if I only have a few products?
Not at all. We’ve set up the whole Swiftspin system as an efficient production process so the costs are all based on a per unit basis. It doesn’t matter how many, or few, products you have, you’ll always get a great rate. |
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How big is the file size and will it crash my system?
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How big, or small do you want it? We work closely with your web designers to make sure that your Swiftspins work perfectly on your website. It’s just a matter of balancing file size and quality. You need to bear in mind that the larger the image the smoother it will be but it will take longer to load than smaller rotations. We are happy to talk to your web designers directly if you wish – or you can contact us if you'd like to ask us more technical questions. |
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Can I use the images for print?
Absolutely! Each Swiftspin is made up of multiple high resolution images. Once we’ve animated them we give you one free high resolution static shot from the rotation. This saves money because you don't have to commission another photographer for your still shots. Plus, all your images will be in the same style for continuity. |
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Where are you based?
Our studio is based in the south west of the UK in a town called Keynsham.
We’re actually on the main A4 between Bristol and Bath so we’re within easy reach of motorways, train stations, Bristol airport, and all public transport routes.
Can you retouch my images?
Yes we can. Some of the samples we are sent may have scratches or aren't quite perfect in some way, we have a team of skilled Photoshop re-touchers whose job it is to make any adjustments you wish. But please bear in mind that there may be up to 72 images per rotation so we have to make a small additional charge for this. We recommend clients send us as perfect a sample as possible to save money. |
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Can you change product colours?
Normal colour balancing is already included as part of our fixed cost. This is the process where we match the colour of the images to that of the product. If the product supplied is a different colour to that which you require then we can adjust it accordingly (within the limits of the production processes). Simply supply an accurate colour sample and we'll do the rest. There is a small additional charge for this service – similar to our re-touching service. Please contact us for details. |
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What if the colour of my product looks different on screen?
We use monitors and software calibrated specifically for the web, however your monitor and that of your customers may be set slightly differently. For this reason we recommend you add a small disclaimer somewhere on your site along the lines of "Colours are subject to the production process and may not appear accurately on your monitor". This will help to avoid any returns. Please check with your legal department who will be able to help you with the appropriate terminology for your product. |
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Do you only animate rotations?
We can animate lots of different movements as long as the product starts and finishes in the same place.
For example, if your product has a special hinge we can show it opening and closing rather than spinning. Another technique we use within our rotations is movement to show detail such as having a model opening a jacket to show the inside pocket.
The opportunities for creativity are almost endless. Contact us to discuss ideas for displaying your products.
Can you shoot at my premises?
Yes, but most clients send their products for us to shoot at our studio facility near Bath as we have everything set up ready to go, saving time and therefore money. However, if you have a particularly large collection of items and would prefer us to come to you then we can. Contact us for special prices and details.
What type of products can you photograph?
Almost anything!
We can produce rotations for pretty much any product up to 2m wide by 2m deep by 2m tall. The maximum weight is approximately 250kgs.
This means Swiftspin is ideal for fashion, homewares, toys, electronics, tools, ornaments. The list goes on...
In fact, if you have a product, within the limits above, that you think won't work as a rotation drop us a line and we'll try to prove you wrong! We like a challenge.
What do I do about insurance?
We will obviously take the utmost care with your products while they are in our care and our studio is fully alarmed with security grills, locks and other features. However, we do not provide any insurance cover for your products so recommend that you contact your business insurance provider to ensure that your products are covered when not on your premises. |
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Can I buy my own system?
The advance in digital cameras has meant photography can sometimes be easier and cheaper to do yourself. Our experience shows that producing Swiftspins is different. There is much more to it than buying a camera and a few lights. Having said that, there are still many system providers out there who will try and sell you your own system. Before you invest please take a few minutes to read a few comments from our research into the subject. Hopefully they will help you make the right decision:
Cost
- Buying a ready-made system is only part of the cost of producing rotations. If you want to use your images for print as well then you'll need high resolution cameras, colour-balanced monitors, studio lighting and retouching software. All this can add many thousands of pounds to your budget. We know of one clothing company who used to produce over 1000 rotations a year and they tell us that their total costs were far more than if they came to a service supplier such as Swiftspin. As long as you include all the extras such as salaries, electricity costs, digital storage devices and software updates then you'll have a good idea of what to budget for.
Experience
- Every professional photographer will tell you that taking a good photo is not just a case of pressing a button. It takes years of experience to get the most out of camera equipment. Even with rotational photography a quick snapshot will do more harm than good when compared to your competitor's professionally produced images.
Time
- Believe us, rotational photography takes an awful lot of time to do properly and it will be mind-numbing for just one person, that's why we have a whole team working on all aspects of the production process. It's not really something we would recommend you do simply because you have the time. A shoe company approached us at a trade show recently and told us they were regretting buying a system because it took so much of their time to produce their rotations.
Size and weight
- Many of the systems being sold can only support very lightweight products. Think about what you may want to shoot in the future otherwise you'll be left with an expensive system which doesn't get used.
Quality
- Many systems which we have researched (and many suppliers for that matter) only take a few images which means their rotations appear jerky. A service provider such as Swiftspin can easily provide rotations which meet your needs in terms of quality.
The Future
- Buying the latest turntable or 360 product photography system may seem a good idea now, but what happens in six months time when your system is out-of-date? Swiftspin have a dedicated development department who are continually inventing new ways of photographing in 360 degrees. In fact, in the last six months alone we have designed and built eight improved devices to photograph our clients' products. Not one of them resemble any of the turntables available on the market today which goes to show just how fast 360 product photography is developing.
Overall, our research has shown us that if you spend in excess of £50k per year on product photography then it is worth your while investigating the possibility of buying your own system, but even then you need to consider it very carefully.
If you'd like more information about buying your own system please contact us.
Do you have a referral scheme?
Yes we do. It's very simple and you could save 15%! Simply sign up for the scheme and we will reduce the price of each of your rotations by 5% for every client you refer to us (up to a maximum of 3 clients – or 15 %). That means if you refer three clients to us and send us 100 shoes, then you could save a massive £270. Please contact us if you'd like further details. |
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I'm a web designer, can I use Swiftspin on behalf of my client?
If you don't use our services directly but have clients to refer then we offer trade prices. This is especially useful for web designers who run sites on behalf of their clients. Please contact us for details. |
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