Product photography is more about blending art and science rather than expensive and elaborative studio equipment which is hardly accessible for people right now in the times of the COVID-19 Pandemic. COVID-19 has prompted social distancing and shut down of businesses in a few areas but that shouldn’t stop you from thinking out of the box and clicking fantastic snaps using basic equipment.
A good product picture draws attention to the product itself, appeals to the buyer, and possibly helps them make a purchase decision.
So, Here are a Few Product Photography Tips to Help you Achieve Impactful Results and Make More Money!
Lighting
Right lighting conditions for product photography could be natural lighting or artificial lighting depending on the category of the product. Harnessing natural lighting for products like apparel and Beauty products photography with a simple table set up next to a window can be a budget-friendly option for a photoshoot during the COVID-19 crisis.
A light diffuser like a Styrofoam board or reflectors like aluminum foil can be used to manipulate the lighting conditions according to the requirement. Artificial lighting can be used where there is a need for detail. Access to expensive studio lighting equipment is great, if not you could make a DIY lightbox using a bulb, cardboard box, fabric & or tape.
Background
A subtle background without too many props maintains the focus on the product itself. Using pale-colored satin or velvet fabric creates a sophisticated background for luxurious products. Household items like tiles, leather boards, and wooden planks create interesting textured backgrounds without creating too much distraction from the product.
White backgrounds are non-distracting and ideal for almost all product catalogs, especially for Amazon product photography services. Elaborate and expensive setups can be replaced with white poster boards or white paper rolls to create a seamless all-white background.
Camera Settings
Manual mode gives you control of what you want to achieve. Always shoot in RAW for crisp photographs. Lower ISO, higher F-stop number, and a slow shutter speed if using a tripod should yield sharp pictures. But, take note that the settings need testing and tweaking according to various external factors like lighting that can affect the outcome of a photograph.
White balance is an important camera setting for professional product photography done using natural light on a white background. To avoid harsh light and shadows keep the white balance in auto mode. Lastly, you don’t want to see blurry photos once you open the pictures on the computer to only realize that you’ve been shooting in manual focus mode. Keep the focus in auto mode and happy shooting!
Angles
The whole point of product photography is for the customer to be able to view the product from different angles. For jewelry product photography, a 360-degree view with closeups is advisable. Overhead angle for products shot laid down on a flat surface and straight-on angle for painting would work for appealing product photography.
Different angles work for different products and various lighting conditions. Test and try different angles that present the product in the best light.
Tripod
Tripod is your friend if you want blur-free pictures. Especially while shooting at slow shutter speeds, you’d be thankful for it. Tripod also ensures consistency of your photos and allows you to adjust the product in place in between the shots.
If a tripod isn’t accessible, get creative to stabilize the camera using a stack of books or any elevated surface as an alternative.
Shoot for the Edit
A perfect click is any day better than hours spent on editing. So, wipe the product, lens, and shoot surface clean before you start clicking. Take multiple shots and get it best on camera before proceeding to edit. Often you’d be surprised to discover a picture that looks great on a computer and not so much on the camera screen. So, don’t rush to delete pictures on the camera.
Sun can be finicky, so set up your spot and equipment in advance to make the most of the ideal light timings of the day. Make use of latex gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints on products and shoot surfaces.
Editing
Good photographs need editing to turn them into fine clicks. Brightness, subtle shadows, color enhancement, and background modification can be edited using Photoshop. Few e-commerce websites would want product image size specifications which can be accomplished through cropping.
There are other photo editing apps like Adobe Lightroom, VSCO, Pixlr, etc. for you to experiment with until you get the picture right.
All Set for a Click-A-Thon?
A perfect product photography shot can be rewarding and these tips can help fetch desired results. But, for beginners in need of superior quality photos, professionals offering product photography services are always a call away!