Category: Product Photography

DIY Product Photography Tips for Amazon Sellers

In today’s highly competitive business, Amazon sellers have discovered that Amazon product photography plays a very pivotal role in successful product listing and attracting customers. But, it should be kept in mind that these pictures ought to meet Amazon’s technical requirements to be acceptable. A good image can speak more than a thousand words – and you do not need to speak, as the picture says it all. Agreed that pictures are pictures, but not all pictures are the same. While some of them attract visitors and buyers, other pictures may not have the same response.

Here are a few tips to help you take pictures like a professional, the next best to having a professional photographer.

While many of you may not be very adept at photography but, with the right guidance and a few tips, you should be able to take decent pictures without any costly cameras – just a common smartphone would do – that and a bit of ingenuity. If you would like to learn about product photography, or products on white photography, you could join a free online photography course, or invest in a low-cost course. You could also get free tips on makeup product photography online, or you could think of joining a regular course.

Choosing a Camera:

Choose a good camera for your photography. While a digital camera would be a smart choice, a smartphone can also give great results. You need to be accustomed to Photoshop to do editing of your pics.

Setting up the Background:

Use a white background for your product. Use a white bed sheet, but be sure that it is crease-free.

Choose a Spot for Your Photos:

Find the right spot for you to shoot, but bear in mind the cardinal rule of photography – the importance of light. It should be from a good source and from the right angle.

Have Proper Lighting:

Remember that light is everything. If you don’t have the proper lighting, you can kiss your photos goodbye. See if you can get a good place indoors near a natural source of light. If you would like to shoot outdoors, be care of the bright sunlight and the accompanying glare. Adjust your light in such a way that it is close enough, but not too close to create a glare. An LED bulb is the best source of a bright, white light.

The Shots:

    • You may not be able to get the right shot in the very first go – you will have to keep exploring and trying from different angles. Here’s where your creativity comes in. Try whatever comes to your mind – you can later edit the images suitably.
    • Make sure that your picture fits within the frame, and the corners and edges are intact. If need be, you could crop them later. Ensure that you don’t have too much of white space around the image.
    • An image should appeal to the viewer and not send him/her scurrying away.
    • Remember that Amazon images are square, and your picture should fit 85% of that space.

 

Editing:

Editing is one of the most important aspects of photography. Use editing to ensure that you get a great picture. If you are using a smartphone, you may find a few apps that could help you with editing. Should you like to edit your photos on your computer system, you should try Pixlr or GIMP. They are sophisticated tools that can make editing a very easy task. Pixc is a photo editing platform where you can edit your pictures exactly to match Amazon’s specifications.

If you are new to photography, you may need to invest in the following equipment to help you get great results:

      1. Lightboxes: These are flat boxes having sides made of translucent glass or plastic. They contain electric lights that provide an even light that can be controlled.
      2. Reflectors: When you use natural light, the reflectors are used to redirect some more natural light on the product.
      3. External Lights: Get dual-power portable LED lamps that could be used along with a tripod.
      4. Tripods: A tripod is a must for photography. Most of us cannot be sure of a steady hand, and a tripod will save your day.

 

But, before you plunge into photography, remember the following points:

      • Concentrate on your focus, and keep your images sharp and clear – blurry images are liable to be rejected.
      • Keep an eye on shadows and ensure that they are at a minimum.
      • Get a close up of the details, if possible at least in one image.
      • If you are displaying a small product, show its size in comparison with something else so that viewers may have a fair idea about its size.

 

Amazon’s SPN – Service Provider Network has excellent product photography support and services to registered sellers.

Now that you have become familiar with photography for Amazon sellers, go ahead and have a great future.

Save Those Bucks on Product Photography

E-commerce is all about picture play. What looks pretty, sells. It’s that simple. No. An attractive picture is no guarantee for a second sale, but it plays the first perfect hook. Is that why E commerce Product Photography is so significant? The reasons are many.

According to experts, people recall 80 percent of what they see and retain only 20 percent of what they see. Prominent, exciting imagery goes a long way in making conversions online.

So, how do you master the art without splurging a bomb on photography? Let’s take a look at some of these simple tips that go a long way.

Turntables for 360-degree spins

More than a lesson, this is a hack. You must have seen those 360-degree product spins for various product photos. They are becoming increasingly popular. And eCommerce sites are making a quick buck with this simple technique. A 360-degree spin gives your viewers a first-hand virtual product experience.

There are many cheap and workable turntables available in the market to aid your photography needs. Some of these need a computer connection, but some of them don’t. Find the one that suits your budget and needs. You can get some of these motorised turntables at reasonable prices.

Get Your Basics Right

You do not need an expensive camera if you know the basics. You can try all the tricks you want, but you have to get the basics to get your product photos perfect. So, here are a few things that you must follow. Firstly, do not use a wide angle lens. This only distorts your product.

Secondly, know what aperture to use for which type of shot. For instance, f2.8 will narrow your DoF. This leaves some parts of your product out of focus. For the product to be in close attention, use a more extensive Depth of Field. Adjust the aperture accordingly.

Set up a Clever Studio

With the madness of pictures available online, it’s easy to miss out on one or the other. This makes it essential to place your image in the right place and create something that catches everybody’s attention. This is why you need to set up a bright studio without wasting a lot of money.

For instance, if you are shooting a big object, For larger products, choose an area with ample space to hang in the backdrop. Put smaller objects with the backdrop and make sure you use light boxes as the spread the light evenly.

Compose it Right

A photograph gets its character from the composition it holds. The composition is where the image gets its balance from. When you are clicking a product, even if you are not a professional, just maintain the harmony and balance between colours. Get more perspective on the shot by moving the products around to see which angle gives your product the maximum focus.

Add colour to create a balance. You can use sheets of cloth, chart papers, and colour splashes with little objects that just add to the character of the product. For instance, a photo shoot for your stationery products only needs a good wooden table, a plant by the couch, and ample light.

Camera & Accessories

Unless and until you are going for some outdoor shoot that “only” requires a professional camera, it’s advisable to use less expensive models. Remind yourself that the lens makes a lot of difference. So you need to save up for that too.

Camera and Accessories

You can save a great deal if you purchase lenses from a pawn shop. There are many websites which offer second-hand lenses. Do your research well. You can find basic tripods for as low as $25. Check out all the options before calculating your final Product Photography pricing.

Don’t Overspend on Lighting Kits

This is where most people who don’t plan, go wrong. Let’s just face it—Lighting kits are expensive. Period.

So, how do you save on this? Plan. Plan. Plan. If you plan, you know where to rent them from. Whether you need monolights or speedlights, you can easily rent them all, if only you research well.

Your products are your brand image. Use these simple tips to make the most of your product imagery by using the best light, rented products and the right contrasts!

How to take Perfect Product Photos on a White Background for E-commerce Store

Introduction: Photography is both a skill and an art and to achieve perfection in either of the aspects one has to put in a considerable amount of effort. If your dream is to rub shoulders with the top photographers, you need more than just a DSLR, that’s for sure. It often takes days or even months for that perfect click, even for the best in business out there.

Recently, Product Photography for E-commerce websites has been in much demand. Companies are looking for shutterbugs that can capture captivating and mesmerizing photos of their products. The sheer brilliance of the product visual should be able to induce a want/craving in the average naïve web surfer so much so that he/she is compelled to buy the product.

A white background is what works best in these situations. Apart from accentuating and enhancing the vivid details of the product, it also makes the commodity look sophisticated and subtle. But handling a white background is not everyone’s cup of tea because it requires a certain degree of finesse. So, here are a couple of tips which can prove to be a guide as well as an aid in your quest for that perfect click-

1) Procure the Right Materials:

First and foremost, it is quintessential that you have the right things to start with. Here we list some of them-

  • Lightbox
  • Clamp Lights
  • 100 Watt Daylight Light Bulbs
  • Camera
  • Photo Editing Software

 

2)Be Immaculate with the Set-up

Once you have got the right equipment to go about it, you also need to make sure that the whole set-up is just perfect for capturing impeccable images. Here we have a few recommendations to ensure that your photos turn out to be just how you want them to –

  • Always click more photos than you think you require. That way you will have more variety to choose from.
  • Go for a tri-illumination ,ie- use three lamps- one on top and two on either side
  • Refrain from using flash
  • Eliminate all other light sources except the lamps from the room.

 

3) Create a Perfect White Background

There are several options available when it comes to setting up a white background. You need to choose according to your requirements and a level-headed sense of judgment is what is needed here. From paper sweeps from Amazon to poster boards from your local art store, take your pick with ease.

4) The Importance of Bounce Cards

Basic physics comes into play here. Anything which is illuminated by a light source (against a white background) from one side will cast a shadow on the opposite side. This is where bounce cards come in. More often than not shadow is quite dark and eventually ends up messing up the aesthetics of the visual. White bounce cards made up of foam boards reflect light on the shadowy portion, thus reducing the awkwardness. Alternatively, black foam boards can be used to make shadows more prominent if a white product is being shot against a white background.

5) Configuring the Camera

It is paramount that you apply the appropriate configuration and settings in the piece of equipment that you will actually use to capture Product Photos, ie- your camera. Here are a few useful suggestions to implement-

  • Use the setting ‘Auto’ in white balance.
  • As has been mentioned before, turn off the flash
  • As far as image settings go, use either ‘Raw’ or the highest JPG settings your camera possesses so that your camera can utilize the full bit depth.

 

6) Post Processing Procedures

Products on White Photography do carry with them a certain aura which them visually appealing and engaging. However, no matter how good the shots are, a certain amount of post processing becomes imperative and unavoidable. Therefore, it is always advisable to take some time out to fine tune the image and add finishing touches to it. Image editors like Photoshop come in handy for such purposes.

The notion of photography being a skill as well as an art which fins mention in the introductory part, has been derived from valuable experiences of highly skilled and competent professionals. To try and separate the skill from the art or vice-versa would be tantamount to grave injustice to science of visualization. It therefore becomes important to delve deep into both the dynamics and master each of them.

A look at E-commerce giant Amazon and its Product Photography is a graphic manifestation of the above-mentioned point. These suggestions and recommendations, therefore, will serve as a pivot about which the path to learning for a new amateur beginner will revolve. Happy Clicking!

The Ultimate Guide to Beautiful Product Photography

With most of the world audience having gone online, the Ecommerce industry is booming like never before. However, when it comes to luring the customers and urging them to buy the products that you have to offer, it all comes down to the brand, cost and believe it or not, the appeal. No matter how good the product and how low the price, there is no way you can encourage the customer to order a product which looks rather shoddy on your web page.

Thus, it all boils down to uploading high quality product photographs on your Ecommerce site. This becomes all the more important in case you are also offering your products on other popular Ecommerce websites where your competitors too are selling their wares.

Now, one of the simplest solutions to get the best product photographs would be to hire a product photography studio for the job. However, this could cost quite a bomb and can burn a hole in your pocket. So, the next option would be to click the photographs yourself and then edit these using the various product photography tools.

Sounds intimidating, right? Well, it is really not as complicated as it sounds. Take a look at how you can click perfect pictures of your products.

What You Need to capture Beautiful Product Photography

1) A Good Camera:

First things first, if you want to click high quality images of your products, you need to invest in a good camera. Now, a good camera does not mean you should buy one with lots of complicated parts and settings. Any normal camera with good quality lens and high megapixels would suffice. In fact, with the smartphones offering high end cameras, you can even use these to click the product images.

2) A Sturdy Tripod:

Now, this is a thing that you just cannot do without especially if you are not very adept with handling cameras. Also, when looking for crystal clear pictures, the camera aperture should be set at small. This will offer a wide field depth with the focus being on the product and the background being blurred. Also, since you will be using a slow shutter speed, a tripod ensures that there would be no apparent jerks and shakes in the images clicked.

3) A White Background:

There is no denying the fact that a white background is what will make your products really stand out. Thus whether you are doing makeup product photography or clicking pictures of kitchen products, you just can do without a proper white backdrop. You can use a white card for the purpose. However, if you would be clicking a lot of images frequently, you may want to invest in a white sweep. This is a structure that offers an unapparent upward curve to the background, thus adding a professional touch to the image.

4) White Foamcore Cards:

These cards can be used to design a cubicle in which the product can be placed. These cards help in bouncing the light on to the product.

5) A Table:

Any table would do no matter how old it is. With the focus being on the product, you really don’t have to worry about finding a table with a smooth, shiny surface.

6) The Perfect Room:

Once you have all these things handy, you are all set to click the pictures of your products. Here’s what you need to do next.

Once you have all these things handy, you are all set to click the pictures of your products. Here’s what you need to do next.

  • Set up the table
  • Get the white background in place
  • Set your camera to the required settings like switching White Balance to Auto and Flash to off
  • Zoom in the camera
  • Place your product in the middle of the table
  • Create a cubicle around it with the white foamcare cards
  • Click the picture and check. You may want to click multiple images and then select the best
  • Edit the product photographs using various product photography tools that are easily available online.

 

Some Expert Tips

Here are some important tips that will help you click the best and authentic images of your products.

1) Don’t Use Filters:

Professional photographers make use of filters to give the image an altered look. However, this does not work for product photography as you need to present accurate images to the customers.

2) Click Images of all Product Styles:

Do not be finicky when it comes to clicking product images. A single image for all product styles will not suffice. Make sure that you click separate photographs for each product style.

3) Don’t Judge Images on Camera:

In case, you are tempted to delete a photograph just because it does not look good on the camera, stop. Connect the camera to a computer and check it out there. Believe it or not, images look different when seen on the bigger screen.

Why Your Company Should Have Professionally Taken Product Photos 

A company is not just a brand; it is much more than that. A brand transforms into a company long after a team of highly skilled professionals work day in day out towards a common cause. Ergo, building a brand into a company is no mean feat.

Once you’ve successfully done that, why would you want to settle for anything less when it comes to quality? This is where professional product photos enter the fray. If you have a company, you need to tell the world about it, metaphorically speaking.

Hence, opting for product photography on white becomes a foregone conclusion. Why you ask? Here are 7 reasons why:

1. Because First Impression Is The Last Impression

Well, this isn’t true just for arranged marriages if you will. Even before the name, a photo is what gets looked at first. And that first look means everything. It could be a customer checking your products out for the first time or a potential vendor locking horns with you or a fellow investor looking to partner up with the right name. Professionally taken photos aren’t easy to forget.

2. Do Justice To Your Products/Services

There’s no point investing big on your products and services if you want to showcase them in a shoddy manner. General photos just exude a very sub-standard appeal which is sure to grab you naysayers than potential customers.

Your expansive range of products needs to be further complemented by professionally taken photos in all their glory, so that no detail is missed out. Also, it will tell the customers that you’ve invested heavily; which would indirectly mean that you’re serious about what you do and are in it for the long haul.

3. Customer Attraction

This is kind of self explanatory, isn’t it? No one has the time to read content anymore. Given the frantic nature of how the market runs these days, images and videos are the name of the game. Individuals fly past advertisements in a matter of milliseconds.

Hence, the importance of having professionally clicked images has risen substantially. To get the message across, this is what’s needed. And customer is and always will be the king. This is why the margins for error are too thin when it comes to acquisition.

4. 5-star Portfolio

Professional photos bring forth a wide array of applications that might not seem too fruitful at the first instant. You can add them to your brigade of branding material for customers and fellow vendors to see right from catalogues to magazines and what not.

You can spice up your portfolio by a significant margin which will help put your company in good stead whenever you touch base with someone for the first time. Including such photos in your PPTs and PDFs is another game changer.

5. Only a One Time Cost

The best thing about professional product photography services? You only have to invest in it just the once. If you cheap out at the first instant, you might have to get your products photographed again and again due to lack of quality.

Professional photography might seem expensive at first but it more than compensates for itself in the long run, by giving you substantial yields over time.

6. Google Will Respect You Big Time

It doesn’t matter if you own an e-commerce store or just an average online marketplace; getting professional photos for your products will enhance your reputation in the eyes of Google.

Google is all about providing top quality uniqueness to its customers. Given the quantum of image-plagiarism online, this will definitely put your company in Google’s good books. And doesn’t everyone want a piece of that pie? Another positive note is the fact that it will indirectly supplement your SEO efforts and get you soaring on those search engine rankings.

7. A Key Difference Maker

In this market where new brands and companies are coming to the fore on a daily basis, being different might be the biggest difference maker there is. And getting professional photography done is a sure shot way of setting that straight.