Jetboil Cooking Systems

Although our team contains a diverse set of talents and personalities, we do share a common passion for new technology. Tech-geeks, gear-heads, nerds…call us what you like, we love getting our hands on the latest and greatest toys! Thus, we were ecstatic when Jetboil approached us to shoot the product and lifestyle photography for their new Helios Cooking System. In a nutshell, Jetboil pioneers new and innovative ways to make outdoor cooking smarter and easier. Being far more reliable and efficient than most stoves in its class, the Helios stands out as a leader among its peers.

Preproduction Challenge

If you have ever worked in industrial design, you know that there is rarely much time between beta testing for a new product, and its full-blown mass-production. The same was true for Jetboil during the launch of the Helios Cooking System. Therefore, when it came time to actually photograph the product, we were given preproduction test models that held significant aesthetic variance from its not-yet-released counterpart. Since our task was to capture photography for the company’s packaging, catalogs, websites, and advertising, we needed a viable solution to digitally replicate a final product that did not yet exist.

Digital Solution

The preproduction model of the Helios, although fully functional as a cooking system, had three major structural differences from the final version. These differences included plastics that were the wrong color and texture, neoprene sleeves with improper stitching and fit, and metal components not yet anodized or coated. This required that we modify almost every exterior feature of the Helios for each photo. Thankfully we live in the age of Photoshop, which gives us the freedom to edit virtually anything in an image! Our process began by analyzing samples of plastic and metal that resembled the planned components. We then went into each image by hand to outline the particular elements of the stove that would require modification without compromising the aesthetic integrity of the surrounding components.

Plastics

With only the plastic elements selected, we blurred out the existing texture. Then, using a custom-made brush, we painted on a new exterior coat. With a few additional textures and colors, we effectively fabricated the appearance of the actual plastic.


Neoprene Sleeve

Not only was the neoprene sleeve too short, it’s stitching was a mess and lacked Jetboil’s logo. First, we cloned the sleeve and extended its length to match the circumference of the stove. Next, we meticulously corrected frayed and misdirected stitches. Finally, we overlaid a new logo to match the curvature of the products sidewall.


Metal Components

The metal components on the stove presented the biggest challenge. The original parts were made of a grey porous matte metal that is often used as a lower cost alternative for testing. The final pieces, however, would have a shiny red anodized coating. Reflective, three-dimensional shapes are among the most difficult objects to replicate digitally. Thus, it was with great care and attention that we painted a digital alternative that correctly managed the direction and effects of the surface against a light source. Hotspots, reflections, shadows, and textured imperfections were each added to the stove.

Pixel Perfect, and On Schedule

The resulting images look remarkably similar to the final production model of the Helios. The photographs were completed on a tight schedule enabling the collateral to be printed in conjunction with the stove’s release from the assembly line. Such a timeline could never have been met had we waited for the final product. Jetboil tells us that the authenticity of the images has never been questioned, and that the company continues to use the composite images to this day.