Bartholomew Photography

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Taking The Best Product Photos

If you have never had to take a marketable picture of a product, then you may panic when your manager requests "high-quality" product photographs to market your firm or use in online advertising.

But you should not worry just yet because you can deliver high-quality and impactful product photographs with a few tips. In fact, you will learn everything you need to know about product photography with the fourteen ideas, tips, and techniques listed below.

Product Photography Tips For Beginners

You probably do not have much time to study photography between refining your Google Shopping data feed and producing high-converting Amazon product descriptions. As a result, we will start with five fundamental product photography suggestions for newbies.

1: Use Proper Lighting

Without adequate lighting, neither the product nor the background will appear as they should. For example, a white backdrop without sufficient light will look more gray than white in the shot.

Lighting for product photography can be artificial or natural lighting. The product you are photographing, the goal of the shot, and the platform you will use to promote it will eventually play a role in determining which setting to use. However, you should always ensure you have enough lighting.

Natural Light

Natural light refers to sunshine. It is also called "soft light" because the sun throws a fantastic, softer range of light than, for example, a bulb shining directly on the goods. If the product was shot outside or is designed for outdoor use, ecommerce product images benefit from natural light.

These people and products tend to look better in natural light. You will be attempting to draw attention to the product's surroundings rather than its unique features.

Artificial Light

Candles, fire, and, more often, light bulbs are examples of artificial light. Because it provides a smaller but more concentrated soft surface, it is also known as "hard light." This lighting style is ideal for items with physical elements that need emphasis to intrigue a buyer.

2: Shoot For The Edit

If you think you can put together blurry or low-quality product photos and perform your Photoshop magic on them, you cannot. While picture editing is a talent that may significantly improve the quality of a product shot, these alterations are limited.

You should think of editing as minor tweaks to an already stunning image. Therefore, strive to make the picture practically usable even without the edits. This means getting your backdrop and image balance right.

3: Take Multiple Shots From Varying Angles

If you have many products to photograph, it may be tempting to capture only one or two of each and then move on. This, however, will not aid in shooting for the edit or offer enough angles to buyers.

Instead, taking photographs from multiple angles helps demonstrate how your goods appear to your buyers. Plus, it will provide you with alternatives when it comes time to update, so you will not have to redo everything.

4: Use A Tripod

Tripods may appear as expensive and pointless pieces of photographic equipment because you can always hold your camera. But, they make a significant difference in the clarity and quality of your product photographs. Plus, you can find affordable options that are easy to use!

Tripods are stands that hold your camera steady to prevent shaking when taking pictures at different angles. When using a tripod, you reduce blur, which is necessary if your product photos appear professional and high-quality.

5: Take An Introductory Photo Editing Class

While most editing should be modest, it is still essential in your product photography skill set. Minor tweaks, such as adjusting the saturation or hiding minor faults in your product shot, will significantly impact the final result.

The challenge with editing is that there are many changes you can make, plus a range of software and settings to improve your images. It can get a little intimidating.

However, you can get around this by learning the fundamentals from pros, especially if you are new to Photoshop. Therefore, you will not overdo or under-edit the photographs.

6: Use Simple Props

Do not be excessively ambitious when it comes to product photography and props. Always remember that the product should be the focal point of each product photo. Using too flashy props will take the focus away. The goal of using props is to assist buyers in seeing the unique aspects of your product more clearly.

So, how do you choose the kind of props to include? Experts advise erring with caution when it comes to props– make them essential, in line with the color scheme, and relevant to the scenario or your product.

7: Put Your Product in Context

Potential customers must see themselves using your products from the product image. After all, why would someone buy your product if they cannot picture themselves using it? Meticulous buyers and people with limited budgets must always settle on a reasonable use for the product before making purchases. You must convince them that it will improve their lives.

It is challenging for buyers to see themselves using a product when it is out of context. For example, someone shopping for a couch to furnish their new apartment is unlikely to select one that is only available against a simple white background instead of a homier setting.

8: Consider Taking Inspiration from Brands You Love

It is good to get inspiration from similar brands. You likely already have a few favorite brands that present their products appealingly. Examine their product photography and consider how a comparable shot or method can work for your own.

For example, if you are in charge of a local women's store, look up your favorite female apparel businesses on Instagram and consider what you like about their product photographs. It could be the monochromatic color palette or minimalistic background that effectively emphasizes the goods. Can you achieve something similar with your products?

Final Thought

You do not need a professional camera and expensive props to take good product photos. If you need fresh product photographs for your shop, it is now easier to create them yourself. So take out your smartphone, set up your "studio," and follow the above steps for the best results. Remember, practice guarantees the best results.