Over the past year I have begun to understand the importance of a good product shot, however, I have also managed to understand the difficulty of taking one.
To get a better understanding of what I mean imagine walking into a store with the lights off. Everything around you is completely dark, and you can hardly see. How would you find what you were looking for?
Then imagine a similar scenario with an online store or catalog. Would you purchase something from a photograph that was dark and out of focus? No, of course not! Which is exactly why a good product shot is essential.
Product shots are a very crucial aspect of advertising and sales and having a good product shot can have a positive effect on sales. In other words, a product shot is a direct reflection of the company's values. If the photograph is well-rounded, or is visually capable of communicating to the consumer its important aspects such as true colour and detail, then it shows that the company is committed to excellence.
There are a few things that need to be taken into consideration in the making of a good product shot.
1.) Camera Mode
The camera mode will change depending on your confidence as a photographer. It can be set to manual mode for more experienced shooters or to automatic for those who are just starting out. (Manual settings will provide you with more options and a greater depth of field) Portrait lenses and macro settings will help to capture details.
2.) Lighting/Flash
For product shots, the most ideal lighting is natural light because it will present the product in colours that are closest to reality. Do make sure, however, that you do not have direct sunlight on the product because it may cause hot spots or reflections depending on the object. If you are shooting your product in a studio situation, make sure to light the product from numerous angles to reduce shadows. Make sure to use a hot shoe for synchronized flash, an auto white balance and a 100 ISO. Adjust shutter speed and aperture to suit your lighting temperatures.
3.) Camera Angle
Use multiple camera angles to experience different photographic results, you may end up liking a specific angle of the product you didn't think that you would. Make sure that you to not present the product in a way that seems skewed or hard to understand, and always have a head-on shot of the entire product so that the customer understands exactly what they are getting upon purchase.
4.) Background
A full white background is very all-purpose and always looks clean and professional. If you are going to choose a colour or patterned fabric to shoot your product on make sure to choose something that enhances the product. There must be enough contrast between the product and the background, and it must suit the theme.
5.) Props
Props, and even models are a great way to accentuate the product being shot. Showing the product in use, or even in a particular setting can have great effects. The consumer can then see the product in relation to its surroundings and have an even better understanding of its size and appearance.
The following product shot was taken to demonstrate how a these two rings may be advertised for an online store or within a store catalog. A Canon T1I and studio lighting were used.
