1. Pick The Right Aperture
When shooting items, it’s crucial to utilize the appropriate aperture for the shot. Of course, this also holds for all other specialized areas. However, a lot of individuals don’t pay enough attention to their settings.
Lifestyle and studio photography are the two most popular genres of product photography.
The widest aperture (lowest f-stop) is ideal for product lifestyle photographs. It guarantees that the goods will receive all the attention. The rest should merge to create a smooth bokeh. Make sure you aim sufficiently far from the product. This will make it easier to distinguish the object from the background and provide a deeper depth of field.
Keep the aperture at about f/2.8 for lifestyle photographs that include a product and either a model or another item. This makes it possible to focus on both the primary subject and the product. Furthermore, the picture is not dominated by the background.
The trick is to focus your viewers on the goods rather than the extraneous details in the picture.
However, you should not be concerned about backdrop distractions when filming in a studio. This enables you to pick a smaller aperture so that the product is as sharply focused as possible. In this manner, the short depth of field won’t obscure any of the product features!
The subject will be distinguished from the studio wall by your lighting. Because of the sync with the flash, pay attention to the shutter speed. The entire image won’t be lit by your flash if the shutter speed is less than 1/200 s. You’ll have an image that is just partially lit. Depending on the flash power, either reduce the ISO or widen the aperture. By doing this, the shutter speed will remain low enough to prevent image overexposure.
2. Use A Telephoto Lens
Make sure there is no distortion of your goods in any form. The proportions of the subjects in a photograph can be ruined by wide-angle and effect lenses. Your photographs should faithfully depict the product you are photographing. Otherwise, you risk having issues with your clients.
The human eye’s viewpoint is most closely resembled by shorter telephoto lenses. They don’t change the issue in any way or convey it incorrectly. In product photography, a macro lens can be used to get up close to the subject.
Any focal length between 85 mm and 145 mm is good for product photography, but 100 mm is the ideal choice.
3. How To Light Product Photos
Making ensuring the object is isolated from the background and is uniformly lit is essential for product studio lighting.
Consider utilizing gentle lighting while photographing products. You may accomplish this studio and natural lighting with the use of light modifiers like softboxes and reflectors. You must provide even lighting conditions, which is why. If not, harsh shadows may obscure some aspects of your goods.
Lightboxes and other lighting accessories are included in product photography packages. They support illuminating your subject uniformly.
Diffuse your studio lighting at all times. This prevents overexposed hot spots from being cast on your goods and the area surrounding them in a photograph.
Hotspots and shadows are unsightly and difficult to remove. Additionally, if you are utilizing soft light, finding the ideal white balance will be simpler.
4. Get Inspired By Other Photographers
Use the photographs that catch your eye as inspiration. Examine the images and take note of the qualities that set them apart. These can include a particular backdrop, an eye-catching lighting setup, or an original editing technique. Try to have some of these components when capturing your images.
However, be cautious because getting inspiration does not entail duplicating someone else’s look. Instead, play around with various components to develop your aesthetic and become a better photographer.
5. Use A Piece Of Paper To Get Rid Of The Horizon Line
You should tape a bigger sheet of paper to your wall and floor after bending it at the horizon line. This aids in creating a smooth appearance. This is required, especially when photographing products for online stores since the goods must be placed against a solid white background.
6. Experiment With Styling
It’s a good idea to experiment with your photography even when you’re capturing inanimate objects. Now is the time to experiment with style as it is simpler than working with humans.
Utilize various backdrops and accessories that match the theme of the product. You might take a flat-lay shot, for instance. Don’t forget to create a visually appealing environment.
7. Create Fresh Suggestions For The Product’s Sale
The majority of marketers will tell you that promoting the concept of the product is crucial to its success. Connect the product to a desirable lifestyle. Show how much simpler life can be by using the product. Or demonstrate the importance of the product to a particular interest.
More than anything else, the product’s narrative will sell it. Since this is one of our top product photography recommendations, keep it in mind at all times.
As photographers, it is our job to develop the narrative, the mood, and the setting in which the final product will exist. So, make an effort to include as much of a narrative in your photograph as you can. Your originality and imagination will stand out in this situation.
8. Don’t Clutter The Set
Don’t add too many elements to your image, which will make it too busy and distracting. Aim to sell the goods, don’t forget.
Maintain a straightforward background with a few solid colors or undetectable patterns. Make sure the image is free of anything that is irrelevant or of no use. Whether it’s through artistic composition or deft lighting, try to keep the focus on the product.
The product and one or two props should be the only items used for studio shots. We advise concentrating solely on the model for lifestyle product photography. Stay away from any background distractions. The guidelines of minimalist fashion might also be used.
9. Make Sure Your Colors Have Natural Tones
By using a telephoto lens, distortion of the product is avoided, and maintaining accurate color is just as crucial. This is essential for color-focused product photography, such that of apparel.
When marketing the goods, it might be problematic if your photo changes the hues. It could result in the client’s and the company’s displeasure.
Imagine placing an internet order for a pair of light blue denim pants because you loved the shade, only to get something completely different. Asking the customer to provide you with color samples or the Pantone values for the precise color they desire can help you prevent this.
Make sure your lighting isn’t colored in any manner to ensure that your colors are accurate. The greatest lighting for photography is white, and a cloudy day outside is also ideal. The white balance should also be taken into consideration.
You can adjust colors in post-processing to attempt to match the actual product. Examine the image on several devices after exporting it. Observe how the color varies on various displays. If you can, go through the pictures on your tablet, phone, and computer. If you calibrate your display regularly, you can also avoid distorted colors.
10. Use Color Theory To Affect Your Viewers
Color theory is essential for lifestyle product photography if you want to draw in the proper audience. The psychology of color is the subject of this study. In simple terms, a person’s response to a certain concept, emotion, or attribute is influenced by a particular hue or color combination.
You may take photos that are more aesthetically pleasing by learning about and applying color theory. You may use color to your advantage to affect how viewers respond to a picture.
Color in product photography may draw in customers. Here is a brief justification.
You may utilize four different color schemes in your product photos if you open up a color wheel.
- Complementary
Pick colors that are in opposition to one another using the complementary method. This gives your image a strong, dynamic color scheme with loads of contrast.
- Split Complementary
Similar to the complementary style, but less daring and simpler to pull off. Use two additional base colors that are adjacent to the original two after selecting two opposing base colors.
- Triadic
This strategy makes use of hues that are evenly spaced on the color wheel. It results in extremely colorful swatches that are often eye-catching and dazzling.
- Analogous
In a similar method, colors are placed adjacent to one another. The proximity of the hues evokes a sense of home and the natural world.
11. Avoid Accidental Reflections
You don’t want an odd reflection on your products! One of the most frequent errors made by novice product photography is this one. Pay attention to how the merchandise reflects your lighting or even your reflection.
Either utilize the reflection and incorporate it in the picture or completely get rid of it.
The easiest technique to get rid of a reflection is to move so that it no longer enters your field of view. It can also be taken out at the editing stage. For instance, you may use a black foam board at the mirrored scene to block reflection if you are photographing reflective items.
12. Try Different Locations
In product photography, studio and lifestyle pictures are most prevalent. However, some photographers want to think outside the box.
Use Nature: This might include your backyard garden, a beach, or a forest. Some things seem good against a background of nature, especially if the colors blend in with the hues of the environment. People have strong emotions when they are in nature. Consequently, it will cause the audience to notice your images.
Use Home Settings: Some goods, such as household items, perform very well in a home setting. They promote the image of comfort while encouraging viewers to consider if certain things are necessary for their own homes.
Remember that the advice provided above should be regarded as guidance rather than as inflexible regulations. To differentiate yourself from the herd, implement your original ideas. When you get the chance, don’t be scared to experiment with various settings and concepts!
Conclusion
Product photography is a specialized field that employs certain methods to present items in the best possible light. You must be very careful with your lighting, backdrop, and product placement.
We hope that our best advice on product photography will help you launch a career in the field!