Easy product photography

Posted on 16 Aug 2004 at 14:33

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We are not promising studio-class results, but with a little know-how you can take great product shots that are ready for cutting out and placing in, say, an online catalogue.

The exponential rise of websites and online catalogues, not to mention existing paper-based publications, has seen demand for more product photography than ever before. Traditionally, these product photos would be taken by studio-based professionals with specialist equipment, but the rise in popularity of relatively powerful and inexpensive digital cameras has led to many people believing they can do it themselves. The results, unsurprisingly, have not always been great.

As with any other style of photography, a professional will always be able to deliver a far superior result. Equally, though, by following a few simple tips and techniques, surprisingly good product photographs can be achieved with minimum equipment, experience and fuss.

This issue's photography masterclass describes the considerations and techniques behind decent product photography using an affordable mid-range digital camera for use with either online or printed publications. We have highlighted the problem areas where mistakes are most commonly made with DIY photographs and what you should do to rectify them. We have also described the pros and cons of using different light sources, including tungsten lamps, flashes, light-boxes and the sun. Ultimately, we'll show you how to take decent product shots with little more than your camera, a tripod and some white paper.

By the end of this masterclass, your product photos will be evenly illuminated, colour-corrected, sharp all over and ready to be cut out from a plain white background if desired. We can't pretend the results will match a professional's, but they should be sufficiently good for your requirements.
Preparation
Product photography greatly benefits from a little thought and planning. The first step is to consider how best to present your subject. Like portraits, a product may look better shot from certain angles or under specific lighting. You also need to take reflective surfaces into account.

The background and environment are also important considerations. Neutral backgrounds will focus all attention on the subject and allow for relatively easy cutouts. For the classic neutral background, hang a sheet of plain material or thick paper on a wall and gently curve it out to meet the surface of a desk or floor. You can also shoot a product over white paper, but raising it above the surface will reduce shadow problems from single light sources.

Some subjects benefit from contextual surroundings, such as placing a country loaf or pot of jam on a picnic cloth with plates and cutlery. While we have also focused on showing products in their entirety, you may prefer to concentrate on a detail, such as a logo. Thinking carefully about how to best present the subject will result in a far superior shot.

Once you've decided on your angle and approach, ensure the subject is meticulously clean. Dust, scratches and fingerprints that may be virtually invisible to the naked eye will be revealed in their full horror in a close-up.

You might need to photograph larger objects such as furniture or even a car. Large, plain sheets could be hung and curved on to the floor for an effective backdrop. However, larger objects tend to photograph better in their natural environment; ensure the surroundings are attractive without being distracting.
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