5 Expert Tips That'll Take Your Product Photos to The Next Level
Jump to:
Are you wondering how to take professional product photos?
Look no further! I’m Karl Taylor from VisualEducation.com, and I’m here to share my top 5 tips to help you capture stunning product shots that will impress your clients and elevate your portfolio.
What to expect from this article?
By reading this guide, you will gain valuable insights into:
Karl Taylor explains the importance of studying the product before photographing it.
Tip 1: Study the Product
Before you even pick up your camera, take the time to study the product you’ll be photographing. Pay attention to its form, aesthetics, and key features that will showcase the product in the best light.
Understanding the product’s textures, materials, and unique elements will allow you to sculpt the lighting to highlight its best features.
For example, when photographing a pair of headphones, note the brand name, the gold plating, and the combination of matte and leather textures. Each of these elements reflects light differently, and knowing this will help you set up your lighting to accentuate these details effectively.
Spend considerable time before the shoot to identify the best angles and features to highlight. This foundational step ensures that you meet your client's desires and showcase the product at its be
Karl Taylor teaching a class on using gradients in product photography
Tip 2: Gradient Lighting
Move away from traditional softbox lighting and experiment with gradient lighting for a more sophisticated look. By creating gradients of light that diffuse and radiate across the product, you can control image-forming reflections and enhance the product’s desirability.
Adjust the size and shape of the gradient lighting based on the product’s glossiness and curvature for optimal results.
Gradient lighting helps in managing image-forming reflections that can often be undesirable in product shots. Unlike a homogeneous light source like a softbox, gradient lighting can be controlled to create radial or linear gradients, which look much more attractive on reflective surfaces.
For example, when photographing glossy products like sunglasses, use larger scrims or move your gradient light closer to cover the product's curved surfaces effectively.
If you're interested in learning more about gradient lighting then check out this class on gradient lighting for product photography. It'll help you get to grips with gradients and achieve professional-quality product shots.
Tethering your camera for more efficient product photography
Tip 3: Shoot Tethered
Enhance your precision and control by shooting tethered into editing software like Lightroom.
This allows you to view images on a larger screen, analyse lighting details, and make real-time adjustments. Collaborate with clients or art directors to ensure you’re capturing the perfect shot every time.
Shooting tethered offers several advantages. It enables you to see your images in a larger format, making it easier to spot lighting and composition issues.
Additionally, it allows for immediate feedback and adjustments, ensuring that the product is captured perfectly. For those working with clients or art directors, tethering facilitates real-time collaboration, helping to align on the vision and making necessary changes on the spot.
We've got a class on why and how to shoot tethered here. Have you tried tethered yet?
Tip 4: Know Your White Values
Achieving pure white backgrounds is crucial for product photography, but it requires careful attention to RGB values.
By slightly underexposing your background and monitoring RGB values, you can ensure a clean white backdrop without overexposing the product. Leave space between the product and background to avoid unwanted reflections.
Many photographers struggle with creating pure white backgrounds without affecting the product. The key is to aim for RGB values around 250-252 for your background initially.
As you add front lighting, these values will increase slightly, allowing you to achieve a pure white background without overexposure. Additionally, maintaining some distance between the product and the background helps to prevent light spill and reflections that could interfere with the product's appearance.
Bottle product photography glow example. Chanel No5 Perfume Product Photo
Tip 5: Making Liquids Glow
For products involving liquids, create a captivating glow by using gold cutout reflectors to bounce light through the product.
Whether matching the reflector to the product’s shape or using a larger gold card, experiment with different techniques to achieve a desirable glow that enhances the product’s appeal. Watch how to add glow to your bottle product photography here.
When photographing beverages, cosmetics, or any products with transparent or translucent elements, a glowing effect can significantly enhance their appeal.
One effective technique is to use gold reflectors behind the product to bounce light through it, creating a beautiful gradient glow. This can be done by precisely cutting out a reflector to the shape of the product or simply using a larger gold card and masking it out in post-production.
Your Next Steps 📸
Ready to implement these top tips into your product photography workflow? Join myself, our supportive team and a thriving community of like-minded enthusiasts over here at VisualEducation.com for more insights, hundreds of classes and workshops that will elevate your photography game (Try us today for $4.99!).
Mastering product photography requires dedication, patience, and a willingness to experiment with new techniques. By studying your product thoroughly, using advanced lighting methods, shooting tethered for precision, managing your white values, and creating captivating glows for liquids, you can significantly enhance the quality of your product shots. Implement these tips and take your photography to the next level.
Happy shooting!
Karl Taylor
At a Glance Cheat Sheet:
Mastering Product Photography
#1 Study the Product
#2 Gradient Lighting
#3 Shoot Tethered
#4 Know Your White Values
#5 Making Liquids Glow
Implementation
© Visual Education. All rights reserved. No content on this page may be used or shared by third parties.
