Photo: Pixabay
When you intend to sell on the Internet, in addition to an e-commerce website, you should also consider photos of your products, with which you will promote them and make them popular.
What do we need to know about product photography before we start?
Product images are the springboard for selling your products.
To get exceptional product shots you will need knowledge, some basic guidelines and, of course, a dose of creativity to make your photos shine.
Every beginner should be familiar with some key components with which he will be able to get closer to the professionals.
Who are they?
- know and control the lighting
- to have appropriate equipment, to know and manage it
- Know and manage colors correctly
- to have ideas and to be able to realize them in appropriate scenes
One of the tricks in product photography is having a studio. As a beginner you can start by creating a cheap studio at home. You will need:
- table
- Color and white cardboard to use as a background
- lighting lamps
- Various camera widgets
- tripod
Use the right lighting
The lighting in product photography is perhaps the cardinal step from which the whole adventure begins. Catching the perfect light is always a little scary at first, but it lasts until you manage to control it and take control.
It is important for each product to be clearly distinguishable and visible. Choosing the right lighting will ensure the sharpness and detail of the frame. For this purpose, you have two choices: natural or artificial light.
To get the right natural light, place your product next to a window.
If you need more light on a certain area, use a whiteboard or sheet to reflect more light in that area.
Photo: https://nicestthings.com/
For the best studio lighting, make sure there is a light source aimed at each side of the product. This way you would avoid shadows that would otherwise prevent you from making a perfect shot.
It is important to point the side lights directly at the background, not at the product itself. This helps to separate the product from the background.
To avoid overexposure, use a diffuser to scatter light. With artificial light you can create a more consistent and creative image, but you will have to spend more. Effective lighting equipment will help you accentuate the details of the products in the image.
The main lighting fixtures you may need to control the lighting are:
- external flash
- softbox
- lightbox
- umbrella
- reflector
Photo: freepik
In case you don’t have a lot of money, you can take advantage of a product photography kit (box, tent), which are usually with built-in lighting, easy to operate.
Photo: amazon.co.uk
Suitable equipment for product photography
The camera, whether it is a camera or a smart phone, is the main tool without which you would not realize a product image. There is a wide range of cameras on the market to choose from. The question here is, what to buy?
Photo: unsplash
To make the right choice of camera for product photography, you must first determine what type of product photography you will engage in.
One of the most preferred DSLR cameras for product photography, with proven good results and more job opportunities are:
- Canon EOS 70D
- Canon EOS 5D MK III
- Nikon D7100
- Sony Alpha A7R IV
Because of all its advantages, however, they fall into the high, expensive class, which a beginner may not be able to afford. In this case, you can always buy a previous model or look for a second use. And, if you don’t have enough experience, study the different classes and upgrade over time.
The main point when choosing a suitable camera is to be able to master it and be able to control it, because the realization of a high-quality product image requires work with manual settings.
The camera itself is useless if there is no lens. The choice of a suitable lens depends on the product, its size and the way it will be shot and presented – whether you will focus on specific details, whether you will shoot in context, etc. .n.
Photo: freepik
The most common standard focal length used in product photography is 50 mm, as well as any focal length in the range between 40 mm and 58 mm. The 50mm lens is also the most suitable for beginners.
Of course, if you choose to focus on different details or your product is small, like jewelry, for example you will need a macro lens.
Stabilizing the camera is the next significant step. Even a slight jitter can defocus the subject and ruin the frame. If you want to always maintain consistency and focus buy a tripod. Most tripods are available so you don’t have to spend a fortune.
The background and colors in product photography
Crucial to a good product frame is choosing the right background. White background is usually the norm for e-shops. Its main function is actually to focus consumers’ attention on the product and not allow unnecessary distraction.
As beginner product photographers you will need white cardboard. To avoid a possible horizontal line, you can simply use a larger piece or roll to attach to the top and let it unfold smoothly downwards without breaking.
Photo: Pinterest
Using colors that highlight or complement the product is just as important as a white background. With the right colors and tones, you would inspire a certain power to your product to evoke specific associations. The use of natural elements on the other hand would emphasize the content, taste of the product or its application in a real environment – sportswear, accessories, shoes in combination with sand, rocks, forests.
Photo: revisededition.co.nz
The important thing when using colors is their correct combination with the product, because each shade affects human emotions and behavior. Always present the true colors.
If you somehow deviate from the actual colors of the product, you risk losing the trust of the customer in the event of a difference between the product image and the type of product in reality.
Special care is required during shooting and post-processing.
It’s a good idea to view images on different devices to make sure the colors are consistent.
How to make your first product shots impressive?
As a product photographer, you have the task of creating the history, atmosphere and world in which the product will reside. This is where your creativity and vision of things are combined with technical parameters.
The exact settings of your camera are key to the right look of the image. Even if you do not have the equipment for thousands of levs, if you master the control you will certainly be able to rank among the best.
You can add different colors, attributes to emphasize the product, but remember not to overdo it. Products should look natural and everything around them should carry the right message to the user.
To bring products to life and draw attention to them, always take different shots – on a white background, lifestyle, in context or focus on their details.
Even if you think each of your photos looks great, retouch further to avoid side effects and any flaws.
Indulge in inspiration and creativity and start telling captivating stories about products to enchant consumers.