How to Master the Product Photography Process
Creating high-quality product photos is a crucial part of any e-commerce business. These images provide transparency into your products and testify to their quality and value. These photographs can vary widely, from a simple watch photograph to a lifestyle shot showcasing how the product would be used. This article will walk you through the full process of product photography.
To be a professional Product Photographers you must have the right equipment. This includes a DSLR camera, tripod, white backdrops, foam board reflectors, and a light source. The lighting is key, as it will make or break the final image. Choose natural light whenever possible, and use a diffuser to reduce shadows and unwanted reflections. You can also use a bounce card to add more light. It’s important to be consistent with your lighting, so you should document the set-up for each shot. This will save you time and hassle during the editing process.
Another important part of product photography is understanding the concept of color. It can play a big role in consumer buying patterns, so you should be aware of what colors will work best for your target audience. Then, you can create a consistent look throughout your images. You should also be realistic with your shots – don’t make a bag of candy appear much bigger than it actually is or show a cleaning product doing more than it can really do. The more accurate your photos are, the happier your customers will be.
Product photographers need to understand how important their images are to their clients’ bottom line and top line. They need to be able to tell a story that enhances product value and helps customers make a purchase decision. In addition, they need to be able to deliver high-quality photos in a timely manner.
Unlike other types of photography, product photography requires a lot of technique and skill. Although anyone can point a camera at an object and press a button, to produce superior results, you need to understand how to shape and control the light. A good product photographer will be able to use natural or artificial lighting to get the desired results. They will also have a good understanding of color theory and how to use various effects to create the right mood in their images. In addition, they will know how to edit and retouch their images to make them more saleable.
Shooting
It’s important for product photographers to have a high-quality camera with a wide range of lenses and filters. They also need to be familiar with various lighting techniques and understand how these affect the look of an image. They also need to know how to use Photoshop for retouching. This is necessary because even brand-new products often have minor imperfections that can spoil the final image. This might include a spillage of glue, dust stuck to some surfaces or a slight loss in the gloss of a polished product.
Depending on the type of product, the photographer might need to use different types of background. For example, a kitchen utensil or electronic device might require a neutral-colored backdrop to highlight its features. Other products, such as fashion apparel or a new car model, might need a more dramatic backdrop to convey its value and unique features.
A professional product photographer will know the best way to shoot each type of image and will be able to create multiple shots that showcase the products in the most effective manner possible. They will also be able to provide their clients with high-resolution versions of the images they need.
A good product photographer will also have a variety of props on hand to ensure they have all the ingredients needed for each type of shot. These could include things like different backgrounds, a variety of light sources and extensions for their lenses. This will enable them to shoot each type of image with the proper settings and to be able to edit them later on.
When shooting group shots, it’s important to make sure the products are placed in a realistic setting. For instance, a product cleaner shouldn’t be shown spraying water all over a carpet because this will cause customers to expect it to do more than simply clean the surface of a rug.
Hero shots are another common type of product photography, and they are used for high-value items such as electronics or gadgets. The goal of a hero shot is to create a striking image that makes people want to buy the product.
Editing
When it comes to product photography, consistency is key. This not only ensures that each image is of high quality, but it also helps your customers understand what to expect from your brand. To achieve this, it’s important to have the same margins, alignment, shadowing, and other elements across your images.
Having a consistent product photography workflow can help you save time and money. It’s not as hard as it sounds, especially if you are organized and follow the right tips. With a bit of planning and awareness, you can produce high-quality images as fast as anyone in the business.
The first step in creating a product photography workflow is to decide what you’re going to shoot. This is a critical step because it will determine how long your workflow will take. Depending on the type of products you’re shooting, you may need to shoot multiple angles, close-ups, and lifestyle shots. Make sure to consider all of these elements when deciding on your shot list.
Once you’ve finished shooting your product photos, it’s time to start the editing process. This is where most of the work actually happens, so it’s important to make the most of your time. To start, select all of your images and make a list. This will help you keep track of your progress and stay on target with your goals.
Next, make a note of any imperfections in your photos. These might include dust specs, blemishes, or reflections. Then, use an editing software program to remove these items. There are many options available for this, including Adobe Photoshop and free apps like TouchRetouch or Snapseed.
Finally, you’ll want to correct the color of your images and add a little saturation. This will make your product photos look more vibrant and professional, which can help boost sales. It’s also a good idea to add some contrast to your images, as this can help them stand out from the background.
Once you’ve completed the editing process, you’ll have high-quality product photos that will improve your ecommerce sales. Just remember that it’s important to be patient and practice often, as this is a skill that can take years to master.
Re-touching
During the re-touching process, product photographers enhance photos to make them more appealing and attractive. For example, they may eliminate dust or stray hairs, adjust the lighting or add highlights to a photo. They can also improve the color of an object, remove blemishes from faces or bodies and adjust skin tone.
In addition, product photography professionals can create a composite image by merging several images together. This can be useful for products that are hard to photograph or have multiple components. They can also use this process to change the background of a product.
For example, if you’re selling sports gear, your product photographer can use this technique to show the product in a natural setting. This is a key aspect of ecommerce product photography because it helps establish trust with shoppers by showing them what the product looks like in real life.
Retouching is a vital part of the product photography process because it allows you to make your products look their best. While it’s possible to get great product shots without retouching, you’ll need to have very high-end equipment and be familiar with the editing software to do so.
If you’re not familiar with retouching, it’s important to find someone who is. It can be expensive to have your photographs retouched professionally, but it’s worth the investment because it will make your products look great and increase sales.
In the end, a successful ecommerce website relies on beautiful product images that tell a story and engage customers. With the right techniques, you can turn your ecommerce business into a profitable one. Haylee is a content marketing writer at BigCommerce, where she partners with campaigns teams to craft enterprise ecommerce content. She earned a B.A. in English Literature from the University of Texas at Austin and spent a year abroad studying international management at Trinity College Dublin. In her spare time, she enjoys reading fiction and exploring new cities. Her favorite genres are dystopian and magical realism novels. She can be reached at [email protected].
