When customers visit a store, they are looking for quality and value, and images play a big role in that. A Product photography it is an image that presents a product and shows its visual characteristics. This can define the public’s first impression of your brand and can make customers stop or proceed with the purchase.
In this article, we’ll teach you how to take great product photography using the right equipment and techniques.
How high-quality professional photography increases sales
People rely heavily on visuals, especially when it comes to processing information.
The human brain processes images than text. at least the 90% of the information that enters the brain is visual.
We remember the 80% of what we see, but we only remember the twenty% of actions. Adding images to information improves recall value by up to 65%.
Product images are the first things customers see when they visit an online store. If they are not flashy or creative enough, visitors will lose interest and abandon their journey through your website.
Since product photography plays an essential role in consumers’ purchasing decisions, presenting well-thought-out and professional images is a must for success.
Equipment you will need for product photography
Your skills and creativity are important in producing effective and engaging product photography. However, having good photographic equipment also plays an important role in the photo session.
So if you get the best equipment from the start, you’ll have a better chance of producing high-quality images and standing out when shooting products in difficult locations.
We’ve put together a list of product photography equipment you should get, based on your photography skills and budget.
Product photography on a budget (using a smartphone)
Achieving amazing product photography on a budget is possible with a reliable smartphone. In this case, other essential elements such as photo lighting and background can be obtained from your environment.
With this method, it is possible to produce a well-crafted product photography with a budget of less than 500 euros.
The first and foremost thing is to have a smartphone with a built-in camera that can take high-quality photos. Today, many mobile devices have high-quality cameras that rival entry-level digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) cameras.
For best results, you can opt for a smartphone with a high-megapixel camera. The higher the number of megapixels on the camera sensor, the more details the images will have.
We advise you to buy a smartphone with a camera of at least 12 megapixels to capture sharp details in every shot.
You can choose from any of those under $500, like the Apple iPhone SEthe Samsung Galaxy A32 5Gthe Google Pixel 4A or the Moto G Power.
Consider investing in a good one to minimize movement and make the photo shoot easier overall. This kit is essential for taking panoramic product photography, as the process uses a slower shutter speed. Therefore, it requires high stability.
For beginners we recommend the mini tripod, which costs 27.25 euros. It accommodates a smartphone up to 3.3 inches wide. In addition, it has an ergonomic handle for a more stable and comfortable grip.
As for lighting, an environment with natural light can be used to minimize costs. To do this, hold the photo shoot in a room with a good source of natural light, such as a window or an opening in the ceiling.
Natural light brings out the natural colors of products, making them appear more authentic and attractive without any digital photo manipulation.
If there isn’t enough ambient light to create an aesthetically pleasing photo, consider using a bounce card. It is a piece of flat, reflective material that allows you to control the contrast of the shadows of an object in different lighting situations.
Bounce cards come in three colors, which you can choose based on your needs. The most common type is white bounce cards, which give you natural or unsaturated light.
On the other hand, use a light-diffusing sheet if you will be photographing in strong natural light. Household items that are great light diffusers include wax paper, t-shirts, and white printer paper.
To create clean, professional product photos, choose a white background. This color can give a nice highlight to your product and thus increase its attractiveness.
Plain paper is an inexpensive white background that you can easily get and mount.
Ideal equipment for product photography
While a budget smartphone and photography equipment allow you to take great photos, it is possible to produce better quality product photos with a higher budget.
For a budget of less than 800 eurosyou can get faster focus, minimal shutter lag and longer continuous shooting.
The first step you should take is to invest in a DSLR camera to take photos in a professional environment for product photography.
The , for example, has a continuous firing speed of 6.0 FPS and a low noise level. With a starting price of $599.99this professional DSLR camera is one of the best options for product photography thanks to its excellent autofocus system and its high shutter speed.
In addition to a reliable camera, you also need a sturdy tripod to keep it stable and reduce camera shake when using slow motion.
The tripod, which costs €119.80It is made with an aluminum alloy. You can adjust it to 25, 50 and 80 degree angleswhich is perfect for taking low-angle shots.
If you want a larger space, consider getting a portable backdrop. This kit can give you a streak-free white background, ideal for capturing delicate products such as jewelry, crafts or wine.
We recommend that you purchase a folding photography table. It is an all-in-one product that comes with a white anti-glare background and a table.
Lastly, opt for artificial light sources to gain full control over lighting.
For this, it is essential one that includes reflector umbrellas and photographic light tripods to have more options. Such a kit can cost 52 euros.
Basic steps to take a high quality product photography
Next, we will see in depth the steps to carry out a successful product photo shoot.
1. Prepare the bottom
In addition to improving your lighting setup, having the right background can speed up the editing process after you get your products ready for photography.
A solid white background, such as a photographic backdrop, is a great option. You can easily remove white color during photo editing.
Another benefit is that it reflects white light onto the object, allowing for a well-lit product photo that doesn’t require any photo manipulation.
You can also create a table to photograph small products and save your budget. It offers more flexibility and control when working with light sources.
If you use a wooden chair as a base support, make sure the white paper is long enough to cover it.
On the other hand, you will need a larger background when shooting large products. Ideally, the curtain should cover the entire frame of the shot when viewed through the camera lens.
2. Get good lighting
It is necessary to control the amount of light in each shot to achieve an excellent product photo.
If you’re on a budget, learn how to take great photos in natural light. It can save you time and effort, as its advantages are availability and convenience.
In this case, the ideal time to photograph products is during the day. This way you can get more light with which you can play later.
Once there is sufficient light, place your photography table or chair-mounted backdrop near or below it. If the sun is too intense, place a white cloth or paper over the natural light source to soften it.
If you want more freedom to take photos at any time of day, artificial lighting is a better option. With the help of a bounce card, you will be able to have full control and flexibility in the photo session.
You can opt for a 60-watt incandescent bulb that provides warm light at an affordable price.
For a professional photo shoot, purchase a studio lighting kit. It is easy to configure and offers a great light output that you can manipulate according to your needs.
3. Prepare a tripod before adjusting camera settings
You have to stabilize your camera to avoid taking blurry photos. Use a tripod to level it and minimize the possibility of any movement.
Once the tripod is set up, set your camera to a low aperture and a slow shutter speed to get a great depth of field.
This will give you a strong focus on the subject, allowing you to achieve clear lines and sharp details in your product photography.
4. Choose the right camera
A modern smartphone or quality point-and-shoot camera can help you achieve high-quality, professional-looking product photography cost-effectively.
Images taken with a smartphone should suffice for product catalogs in an online store.
However, if you want to produce your product photos at large sizes, you’re better off going with a DSLR camera. Using a professional camera allows you to customize the lens type, resolution and mode, which offers great flexibility in all types of shots.
5. Image post-processing
Image post-processing transforms and enhances an image to achieve the concept you envisioned.
If you’re new to photography, getting your product photography background or lighting just right can be a challenge.
To make the process easier, you can use photo editing programs such as to improve the quality of your images and remove imperfections. These tools also allow you to reduce noise, correct colors and create shadows for a more dramatic effect.
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