A mentor once quipped, during a discussion on tabletop and product photography, that there is a certain Zen aspect to this type of photography. He was referring to the fact that the process, though it can be long and detailed, has a serenity and purposefulness to it that is calming and reflective. It is a totally different experience than dealing with people.
I needed some images for items that I was placing up for sale. I also wanted to experiment with gradient backgrounds (done with lighting and not in post production, though there is certainly nothing wrong with that approach). I spent a couple of hours setting up the shots and enjoying that Zen experience.
Product photography is about revealing form and texture. This is achieved by lighting.
While I could certainly have placed these on an all-white background, I like the gradient as I feel it adds some movement in the frame. I also feel that it contributes to the 3-dimensional look that I am going for.
I also very much enjoyed the process. Alone, in the studio, music playing louder than it probably should, I was free to go through the evolutionary aspects of the shoot. I could proceed at my own pace. And when I was done, I was done. Except of course for post production.
A Zen moment to be sure.