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5 Essential Product Photography Lighting Techniques

VWB Blog 2 years ago 7

Good-quality lighting is the key to getting great product photos. Research has shown that people take in up to 80% of what they see, compared with 20% of what they read. So you need to grab their attention visually!

If you are new to photographing products, you might not know the best way to create your lighting setup. Getting it wrong could result in low-quality images that don’t do the product justice.

This article will cover 5 essential tips for the best product photography lighting. Read on to find out how to take product photos that stand out!

1. Get the Right Exposure

Exposure is how much light enters the sensor on your camera when you take a photo. Overexposed photos mean it is too bright, whereas underexposed ones are too dark. In both cases, you won’t be able to see the product’s details or colors well.

Softboxes are a staple in any studio lighting setup. These boxes help to diffuse light and regulate exposure.

These are available in all shapes and sizes to fit all budgets. If you don’t have access to a softbox, you could also use paper or white sheets to diffuse light.

2. Choose the Right Background

The color and texture of your background can transform the way your lighting looks. White backgrounds are the standard, as they are neutral and also easy to remove if necessary.

Black or other colored backgrounds can also be interesting to play with. They can change the mood of your image or create more contrast.

Try to use the same background for all images, as this creates continuity. If you’re looking for a fast and cheap way to remove background images, then check out this website.

3. Work with Natural Light

Natural light is the photographer’s best friend. Not only is this light free, but it often shows products in the most favorable light.

If you shooting indoors then place your photo set up close to a window. If the sunlight is too strong then using paper or a light sheet can help diffuse it.

Although natural light is great, it can also be time-consuming. You may have to wait for certain times of day, or the weather is bad. So always have a backup option for when the sun isn’t shining!

4. Play with Lighting Hue

Changing the hue of your lighting can add a different dimension to your images. If you are trying to create a cozy, comforting image then warmer lights are better. But for something more sleek and modern, colder or neutral lighting is better.

Be careful when photographing items with reflective surfaces. Items such as jewelry or items made of glass can bounce light in ways that create shadows.

You also don’t want to distort the color of the object, as accurate colors are important. Most customers will consider the color shown in product pictures before buying. You don’t want to disappoint them by not matching expectations.

5. Be Strategic with Product Photography Lighting

As a rule of thumb, you should be using at least two lights to get good product photos. This helps to eliminate shadows and catches all angles of your product.

Place one light behind the product and the other in the front. Try and put the lights up high and then angle them downwards. If possible, add another couple of lights elsewhere in the room. This helps with the ambient light in the image.

Light It Up!

The key to great photos is high-quality product photography lighting. Using the tips above, you can play around with your lighting setup to get the best results.

If you enjoyed this post, then check out our photography section. There you can find more articles about lighting, marketing, and more!

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