Table of Contents
Product photography is a crucial aspect of product marketing. However, it is a much-overlooked skill that many people don’t know much about. Here are some insights from the experts who run successful product photography studios about their tips and tricks for taking great photos of your products.
Product Photography Management
The first step to taking great product photos is to have a good product photography management system in place. This means having a workflow that is efficient and organized so that you can produce high-quality results quickly and consistently. One of the most important aspects of a good studio flow is having correctly calibrated and consistent lighting. Make sure that all your lighting is calibrated to the same standard so that your photos will be consistent from shoot to shoot.
Studio Lighting
When it comes to studio lighting, there are three main types that you need to know about: key light, fill light, and backlight. The key light is the main light in the scene and is used to create the overall tone and mood of the photo. The fill light is used to soften the shadows created by the key light and add more dimension to the photo. The backlight is used to create a sense of depth and separation between the subject and background.
Make sure that your lighting setup is organized so that you can work quickly and efficiently without making any mistakes. You will need light modifiers like umbrellas or softboxes to diffuse the light from the strobes, along with various types of stands, clamps, scrims, flags, etc., for arranging everything in place. Test each of these items before using it so you know how it’s going to affect your images before you shoot anything important.
Camera Settings
The camera settings you use will also have a big impact on the quality of your product photos. These tips include some of the most general photography concepts. However, you should also do some research on your own to find out what works best for product photography in particular. Here are some general tips for getting great results:
- Use a high shutter speed to freeze the action and avoid blurring.
- Use a small aperture to get a good depth of field and keep everything in focus.
- Use a high ISO setting to avoid noise in the photo.
Camera settings should also be adjusted depending on how large you want the final photo to be. For example, set a higher ISO for smaller photos and lower shutter speeds for larger photos.
Get Creative
The last thing you want is for your photos to look too standard and generic, so try to get creative with your angles and lighting setups. For example, if you are taking pictures of a new type of mop or broom, consider taking ascending shots that start at the top of the mop head and go down to where it attaches to the handle on one end. This gives potential customers an idea of how large it is compared to other products they might buy. You could even create different versions of this shot by having someone hold up the mop in front of them for a more realistic representation of the size.
Post-Processing
Once you’ve taken your photos, it’s important to do some post-processing to make them look their best. This can include things like adjusting the contrast, saturation, and white balance, as well as removing any blemishes or distractions from the scene. By taking the time to post-process your photos, you can make them stand out and look their best. This is also important because it will allow you to use your photos in a wider range of marketing channels. Make sure to save your post-processed photos in a logical folder structure so that you can easily find them later.
Photo Editing Software
There are a number of different photo editing software packages on the market, so it’s important to find one that suits your needs. Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom are two of the most popular packages and they offer a wide range of features for editing photos. There are also a number of free photo editing software packages available, such as GIMP and Inkscape, that can be used for basic post-processing tasks. Whichever software you choose, make sure to learn how to use all its features so you can get the most out of your photos.
Once you have taken the photos, done some post-processing work to improve their quality, and put everything into an organized system for storage, it’s time to start putting them to good use. This means making sure that they are used across all of your marketing channels so that they will generate maximum exposure. Be sure to understand the usage rights for each photo before using it because you don’t want any mistakes or content getting rejected by online retailers or promotional partners.
