15 Must-Follow Product Photography Tips That You Can't-Miss

Any field requires investment of effort, time, and money to achieve good results. Stunning, well-crafted images build trust, boost sales, and set your brand apart from the competition. 

In product photography, the smallest details are also very important. Therefore, in this article, Mosyne would like to share with you 15 tips for product photography, hoping that it will help you save time and effort and ensure the best quality.

Using A Professional Softbox

A high-quality softbox diffuses your light. It creates an even, natural-looking illumination that minimizes harsh shadows and reduces unwanted reflections. 

Unless you want to create drama or emphasize shapes, always try to spread the light source to create a softer light. The shadows will be smooth.

This controlled lighting highlights your product’s best features and creates a consistent look that elevates your brand’s visual appeal. It is effective in attracting and converting customers.

Use lights from the same brand

When all your lights come from the same manufacturer, they typically share consistent color temperatures and output characteristics. This uniformity minimizes color shifts and variations between shots. You'll find it easier to achieve a cohesive look across your entire product line. 

Do not mix lights from different brands because the color temperature will be different, which makes color balance difficult. Always use lights from the same brand to ensure accurate color.

Consistent lighting reduces the need for heavy post-processing corrections and ensures that your products are represented accurately and professionally.

Don't forget to light the background

The main focus is illuminating the product. However, lighting the background evenly adds depth, minimizes distracting shadows, and makes a clean, professional look. You create a balanced scene that reduces the need for extensive post-processing. 

Lighting or creating a bright area for the background will make the product much more vibrant. If you are shooting liquids, the rim light effect from the background light sources can create a special beauty.

White balance and use gray card/color checker passport

Proper white balance guarantees that the colors in your images are true to life and accurate, preventing any unwanted color casts that might distort how your product is perceived. A gray card or color checker passport helps you achieve precise color calibration. Your lighting setup is balanced and your product's colors remain consistent. Using these tools saves time on corrections during post-processing and creates professional, realistic product photographs that captivate customers. 

Choose a white background

If you are unsure about the background choice, a white background is always the safest choice. A clean, white backdrop builds a simple and professional presentation that lets your product stand out without distractions. It shows that your product's details are the main focus, and the neutral color helps to highlight the items. 

Additionally, a white background minimizes post-processing work, making it easy to remove or replace the background seamlessly. This classic approach is also highly versatile. Your product can fit into any online store, catalog, or marketing material effortlessly.

Use discarded items as a background

Re-purposing everyday objects, like worn-out wood, fabric, or old books, can add texture and character to your shots. However, it's essential to be ingenious that the backdrop doesn't overshadow the product itself — the background complements without distracting from the subject. 

Use a tripod to take the photo of the product 

A good tripod is indispensable in product photography. A tripod eliminates camera shake and provides sharper, clearer images, especially in low-light situations or when capturing intricate details. This tool maintains focus and prevents blurriness. You can produce professional-quality product photos that can elevate your brand’s image. 

Plus, you have a chance to experiment with different compositions and lighting setups while keeping your product in the same frame every time. Investing in a reliable tripod is a requisite step toward taking your product photography to the next level.

Clean the product thoroughly before taking photos

This is a simple step but many new photographers often skip it.

Distracting fingerprints, dust, or smudges that could detract from its appeal in the final image. The surface is spotless highlights the finer details, and gives your product a polished, professional look. Taking a few extra minutes to clean your products will make a big difference in the overall quality of your photos and help present your items in the best possible light to potential customers. 

Don't let yourself go crazy just because of a hair or a stain that makes you sweat to retouch the photo. Another little tip is to use rubber gloves to avoid stains and sweat on the product.

Take a minute to clean, you will save hours later in editing.

Try different angles and viewpoints in your photography

Don't just stand in one place and take photos, try different angles. This helps create unique photos with changing lighting effects.

You can try shooting from above, from the side, or at a low angle; each viewpoint can highlight different aspects. Don't hesitate to remove the traditional front-facing shot and explore creative angles that set your product photography apart from the competition.

Manual focus is better than autofocus

Autofocus may struggle with certain lighting or intricate details. So, it leads to less precision in where the camera focuses. Manual focus facilitates you to have complete control, and the most important features of the product are sharp, crisp. This technique is especially useful for close-up shots or when working with intricate subjects. 

For example, when shooting water, with the requirement to capture the moment in 1/8000 of a second, will the autofocus be fast and accurate in the right place?

Use a deep depth of field to use its creative possibilities

A deep depth of field causes both the foreground and background to be in sharp focus, providing a sharp and detailed view of your entire product. You should set your aperture to a higher f-stop (for example, f/8 to f/16) so that every part of your product — from the front to the back — remains sharply in focus. 

A deep depth of field showcases intricate details and textures, it gives potential buyers a clear, comprehensive view of the item. A deep depth of field minimizes the need for extensive post-processing corrections. Experiment with different apertures to achieve the perfect balance of light and focus for your product shots.

Display the brand in the product photo

Showing the brand logo or distinctive markings on your product strengthens its identity and adds authenticity to your images. It boosts consumer trust and encourages brand recognition, making your photos much more effective in marketing efforts. 

Use the histogram To Take Better Photos

Always check the histogram to see if the image is over- or under-exposed. You can avoid underexposure or overexposure, resulting in balanced, richly detailed product photos. 

Control Reflections in Your Photos

Pay attention to the reflections from the walls and ceiling of the studio. To avoid unwanted lighting effects, paint the walls black, cover the reflections, or use a product lightbox.

Control reflections are important when photographing shiny or reflective surfaces like glass, electronics, or jewelry. 

Reflections can either enhance or distract from the appeal of your product, depending on how they're managed. What you need to do is adjust your lighting setup, use polarizing filters, or position your product at the right angle. You can eliminate unwanted reflections that interfere with the product's features.

Read and look at a lot of sample photos

Reading and looking at a lot of sample photos will help you better understand the world's standards of beauty. Progress slowly and always listen to your heart when comparing your photos to others' photos.

Over time, regularly analyzing high-quality images builds your visual literacy. The more you study, the sharper your eye will become. You can produce more compelling, consistent, and professional-looking product photographs.

Conclusion

Mastering these 15 essential tips will elevate your product photography. Remember, every small improvement in your technique can make a significant impact on your sales. 

Keep practicing, stay creative, and remember to always keep your focus on showcasing your product in the best light. Happy shooting!