Product photography at Little Wolf Collective will help you create first impressions and increase sales, whether you’re selling online or in person. In fact, one study found that people process images in just 13 milliseconds!
While having a professional camera will make the process easier, you can take high-quality product photos with just a smartphone and some basic equipment.
Product photography is a highly-skilled, lucrative niche that requires a lot of equipment. It’s possible to get by with a point-and-shoot camera, but if you want to be a professional in this field, your gear must be top-notch. The best cameras for product photography are high-resolution with a large sensor and an interchangeable lens. The ideal camera will also have a good low-light performance.
When choosing a camera, consider the specific requirements of your work and your budget. Determine what type of products you will be photographing and how they will be used (e-commerce, print, social media). You should also think about whether you will be shooting on a tripod or not. A good tripod is important for achieving sharp, clear images. Finally, think about the features that you need, such as a fast autofocus system.
Most product photographers shoot in manual mode, but some use automatic settings. This is because a computer can’t always make the right adjustments automatically, and it’s better to have complete control over all of your settings. A good quality lens is another essential component of a great camera for product photography. The lens must be able to focus on the fine details of the product, and it should be able to handle a wide range of focal lengths.
A camera with a high ISO range is also an asset for product photography. A higher ISO setting allows the camera to capture more light in darker conditions, which is useful for reducing shadows and glare. It is recommended to read reviews and compare samples of the camera’s image quality and low-light performance before making a purchase.
The shutter speed is also an important factor to consider when choosing a camera for product photography. The shutter speed must be fast enough to ensure that the subject is not blurry, but not so fast that the photographer’s hand shake will cause a blurry image. A shutter speed of 1/80 seconds or lower is typically sufficient for product photography, but you may need to experiment with different settings to find the best one for your needs.
Plan Your Shoot
Product photography is a key part of your brand’s image. High-quality images can increase conversions, and they also help to build trust with potential customers. To get the best results, it is important to plan your shoot in advance. This will help you to avoid missing any important shots and ensure that you have all the necessary equipment on hand.
To begin, create a shot list that includes all the different photos you want to take. Make sure to include a variety of angles and perspectives of the product, as well as any lifestyle shots that you may need to tell your product’s story.
It is also a good idea to consider adding in some props to your shoot. These can add a bit of color and dimension to your shots, and they can also help to create a more realistic scene that will give your customers a sense of what it would be like to use the product. For example, if you are photographing a leather wallet, you might want to include some props such as pens, keys, or cash.
Once you have a shot list, it’s time to start planning out your set-up. This is where it becomes important to have a good understanding of how your lighting will work, as this can make or break your product photography. You should also make sure to bring any extra equipment that you may need, such as a tripod or flashes.
Also, be sure to consider the location of your shoot. If you are shooting indoors, be sure to choose a space that is large enough to accommodate your product and any props that you might be using. It is also a good idea to bring a few backups of any props that you are using in case one breaks or gets lost during the shoot.
Finally, be sure to keep in mind that you will need to spend some time retouching your photos after the shoot is over. This is where it is important to have access to a quality editing software such as Adobe Photoshop.
Take a Lot of Photos
When shooting product photos, it’s important to take a lot of them. This way, you can select the best ones to edit and use on your ecommerce website or catalog. Having multiple shots of the same product will also help you establish your photography style and create consistency across all your images.
When you’re taking your product photographs, be sure to use the widest possible aperture (lowest f-stop) to ensure that the product is the focal point of the image and that everything else blends into a creamy bokeh background. You’ll also want to make sure that you’re using a tripod to keep the camera steady.
You’ll also want to pay close attention to your lighting. If you’re not careful, your images can end up looking flat and unprofessional. Try to use natural light whenever possible, but if that’s not an option, you can always use a studio flash or other artificial light source to help create even and bright lighting.
In addition to capturing high-quality, attention-grabbing images, you’ll also need to spend some time on post-processing. This is a vital step because it can make or break your final product photo. By adjusting the brightness, removing any blemishes, and color toning, you can bring your images to life and help them stand out from the competition.
The quality of your product photos is a reflection of the overall quality of your brand, so it’s worth investing the time and effort to get them right. With a little practice, you can create stunning, professional-looking photos that will grab the attention of your customers and inspire them to buy.
Remember, product photography is a skill that takes time to master. Don’t be discouraged if your early efforts don’t come out as well as those of the professional photographers you admire on social media. It takes years of experience and plenty of patience to develop a photographic style that perfectly reflects the qualities and values of your brand. So, stay patient and keep shooting! You’ll eventually get there.
Edit Your Photos
Product photography is just one of many tools that are necessary for a successful ecommerce business. To make sure your products are converting as they should, you need to focus on not only taking good photos but also editing them appropriately.
The right product photo can make or break a sale. Today’s consumers expect beautiful, high-quality images and will quickly move on to other options if they see poorly lit or low-quality photos. This makes it crucial to invest time and effort in creating high-quality images that accurately represent your products and brand.
Once you have taken your product photos, you will need to edit them to remove any imperfections such as dust specs, fingerprints, blemishes or reflections. You can use an app such as TouchRetouch or Snapseed on your mobile device to do this. It is important not to overdo it with the editing, however. Too much editing will detract from the quality of your images and may look artificial and overdone.
After you have removed any imperfections, you will need to adjust the brightness, contrast and sharpness of your image. Make sure to save your adjustments as a preset so that you can apply them to all of your product photos in the future. This will help you save time and ensure that all of your images are consistent.
In addition to adjusting the brightness and contrast, you will also want to edit your photos for color and tone. Make sure that the colors in your images are accurate and that they are pleasing to the eye. In addition, you will want to edit for composition by cropping your image or removing any unnecessary elements.
Another aspect of editing your product photos that is often overlooked is the use of textures and filters. This can add a more authentic, handmade feel to your product photos and help to distinguish them from the competition.
Finally, if you have the resources available, you should consider adding some animation to your product photos. This can give your customers a more dynamic shopping experience and can drive more conversions. For example, a GIF showing your product in motion can show off its features and help to tell a story about it.