Perfecting Your Product Photography
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You may have mastered the art of using a torch, paintbrush, kiln or other tools to create fabulous works of art, but mastering the camera to feature those pieces in their best light is another challenge altogether! Product photography is an art in and of itself. And if you are unable to hire a professional photographer to shoot your work or if you prefer to keep the creative process in house from start to finish, then we want to arm you with the right information to make your personal product photography shoots successful from the get-go!
Transcript of Perfecting Your Product Photography
Perfecting Your Product Photography
volume 4
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Perfecting Your Product PhotographyIntroduction
Photographing Your Products: Choose Your Style and Stick With ItChapter 1
Using Your CameraChapter 2
Change the Way You See Your WorkChapter 3
Small Object Photography Chapter 4
What I've Learned From Taking Thousands of Product Shots Chapter 5
Table of Contents
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Perfecting Your Product PhotographyIntroduction by Courtney Dirks
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You may have mastered the art of using a torch, paintbrush, kiln or other tools to create fabulous works of
art, but mastering the camera to feature those pieces in their best light is another challenge altogether! Product photography is an art in and of itself. And if you are unable to hire a professional photographer to shoot your work or if you prefer to keep the creative process in house from start to finish, then we want to arm you with the right information to make your personal product photography shoots successful from the get-go!
In this eBook, we will cover topics ranging from lessons learned from taking thousands of product shots to becoming more familiar with your camera. If you’ve created fabulous products and are ready to take the plunge into product photography, the insights in this eBook will set you on the right path to capturing remarkable images of your work!
Photo credit: Annafur
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Photographing Your Products: Choose Your Style & Stick With ItChapter 1 by Courtney Dirks
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Tackling product photography, especially as a beginner can be an incredibly daunting task. Oftentimes artisans
get so wrapped up in taking the perfect product shot that it winds up pulling them away from where they should really be focusing, which is on creating the products that brought them into this industry in the first place.
There is beauty in simplicity when it comes to mastering product shots. Here are a few valuable, simple tips that will improve your product photography:
Focus on your Product If you’re exerting all your energy trying to find the perfect props, you may want to take a step back to really evaluate what those props are doing to improve the quality of your image. If the purpose of the prop(s) is to display the product in its’ best light or if it serves a purpose (such as holding your items in place) then it’s worthwhile. On the other hand, if your props are a distraction, remove them from your photo. Your concentration should be focused on making your items unique rather than their surroundings!
Photo credit: AForestFrolic
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Photographing Your Products: Choose Your Style & Stick With ItChapter 1 by Courtney Dirks
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Be ConsistentTry to create a theme for your product shots through consistent backgrounds and props. This doesn’t mean you have to be boring! Again, as I mentioned above, the key is to avoid distractions and by using the same backgrounds and props, you’ll create a cohesive look when featuring multiple product images alongside each another.
Start Slow and Build From ThereDon’t try to make every aspect of your pictures perfect from the get-go. When I started taking product shots, my biggest struggle was managing the lighting in my shots. Once I figured out how to capture good lighting for my products, I moved on to the props and backgrounds I wanted to use, and so forth. Becoming a good photographer doesn’t happen overnight, but if you're patient, you’ll develop the necessary skills to get great shots, and before you know it, other people will be asking you for photography advice!
Related Resources
– Using Flickr To Share Your Work
– Online Printing Solutions: More Perks than Price and Quality
– Best Face Forward: How to Get a Great Profile Shot
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Using Your CameraChapter 2 by Marlo Miyashiro
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Today, let’s focus on some of the technical aspects of photography. Experimenting with the following settings in your camera will give you more control over your
photos and limit the need for a lot of editing with photo software. During your practice photography sessions, you’ll want to be sure to take notes so you’ll learn what works best for your camera and lighting environment.
Auto FocusingUsing your camera’s auto focus is important for a clear image. Most point-and-shoot cameras focus in on the center of the frame when the shutter button is pressed down halfway. Use this to your advantage and point the middle of the frame to your focal point first, focus on it and while holding the button, swivel your camera up to create image to create the proper composition (using the rule of thirds) then take the shot. In macro mode, this will enhance the depth of field by making the closest focal point in focus and the background slightly blurry.
Auto Focusing Tips:• Compose your shot first and then move the focal
point to center of the frame to in on it before you focus on it.
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Using Your CameraChapter 2 by Marlo Miyashiro
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• When you have the focal point in focus, swivel your camera up into the right composition.
• Keep your camera lens on the same focal plane before you shoot (in other words, moving parallel to your work is acceptable – moving closer or farther away from your work will ruin the sharpness of the image and make it necessary to refocus your photo).
White Balance (WB)This is indicated on your manual mode screen with an icon that looks like two triangles with a circle between them. Refer to your camera’s manual to learn how to adjust the WB – each camera is different.
When you adjust the WB, you are essentially telling your camera, “This is what white looks like” within the lighting environment you are shooting in. This eliminates the need for expensive daylight balanced light bulbs or using the camera’s guessing system (auto white balance) that can easily be thrown off by anything from an overhead light to the color of your clothing.
WB Tips:• Point the camera at something that is pure white –
like a sheet of printer paper.
• If this still doesn’t give you the best colors, you can try adjusting the WB using an 18% gray card (available at camera supply shops).
• Hold the paper at the same distance from the lens as your objects will be for the best results.
Exposure Value Compensation (EV +/-):This will instantly brighten or darken your photos within your camera and could further minimize the need for photo editing later. Refer to your user’s manual learn how to use the in-camera EV adjustment.
EV Tips:• Some cameras have a built in EV +/- “bracketing”
system which allows the camera to take three (or more) shots in a row. One set at a +1, one in the neutral position and one at the -1 setting.
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Using Your CameraChapter 2 by Marlo Miyashiro
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• Take notes when you are taking these photos so you know what looks best when you are reviewing your shots.
• Your camera’s LCD screen isn’t the most reliable gauge of brightness, so take lots of different photos and then look at them on your computer.
The #1 Most Important Thing To RememberNever, ever use your camera’s flash to take photos of small objects! Even with tissues covering the flash, the light emitted by your camera’s flash is too harsh to evenly light small objects. Instead, make sure you have plenty of ambient light and keep adjusting your lighting set up until you can consistently take photos without that little “shaking hand” showing itself on your camera’s screen.
Of courses, all of this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg when it comes to small object photography. I encourage you to keep learning and experimenting with your work, composition and camera settings.
The more you know about how your camera operates the better your photos will be and then one day you’ll find yourself actually looking forward to taking more photos of your work!
Related Resources
– Four Favorite Point and Shoot Cameras
– How to Get Started on Flickr: Registering!
– Flickr Groups: Crafting, Blogging, Promoting
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Change The Way You See Your WorkChapter 3 by Marlo Miyashiro
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To continue the improvement of your small object photographs, let’s talk about taking a completely different approach to the composition of your photos.
Have you ever really looked at a great photo? Not just the featured object, but the way things are placed within the frame? The ones that really catch our eye generally have certain things in common:
• The background doesn't compete with the item(s)
• Objects are placed at an angle or off-center, not in the center of the frame
• The main focal point is close to one of the corners of the photo
• The object(s) fill the frame
While there are definitely exceptions to these rules, one of the easiest ways to create interest in your photos is to simply place your object(s) at an angle or just off of center. By doing this you create visual “movement” and depth within the frame which allows the viewer’s eye to focus on the main subject after following an easy, natural pattern around the image.
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Change The Way You See Your WorkChapter 3 by Marlo Miyashiro
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Why does this work? Let’s look at the “Rule of Thirds”. In the visual arts, the “Rule of Thirds” states:
“An image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections. Proponents of the technique claim that aligning a subject with these points creates more tension, energy and interest in the composition than simply centering the subject would.” (Source: Wiki Rule of Thirds)
In the photo above, you’ll see 3 lines x 3 lines layered over the top of the photo, stretched to the ends of the photo. The pendant is placed in the lower right intersection of the grid. This creates a visual energy that is much more interesting to the eye than simply placing the pendant in the lower center of the frame.
The next time you are taking your photos, imagine this grid (some cameras actually have a setting that will place the grid on the screen) while you are composing you photos and see what happens.
You can also give these ideas a try:
• Place your piece at a diagonal with an intersecting horizontal background line. This creates visual movement and more points of interest within the image.
• Focus sharply on the main part of the object and allow the depth of field to blur the outer edges. Using depth of field to your advantage, you can further enhance your photo and draw your customer’s attention to the main focal point of your piece
• If you're photographing jewelry, in particular, necklaces, swirl your necklace chains in an “S” pattern away from the lens at an angle – curving lines are very pleasing to the eye. Think of how wind and water are depicted in a painting – these are the types of curves you want to emulate. Use of depth of field is good to try here too.
• If you are used to placing your piece in the very center, try to see if you can angle the object or move your camera a little to one side. It’s amazing how a tiny change can make all the difference between a stagnant photo and a dynamic one!
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Change The Way You See Your WorkChapter 3 by Marlo Miyashiro
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The main point here is to experiment with your composition. Be daring. Take photos that are *too* close and take photos at *extreme* angles. Then compare the visual interest in those shots to your standard photos. You might be surprised to find that what you once thought was “over the top” is actually the more interesting composition for your work!
Related Resources
– The Anatomy of A Great Product Shot
– Let's Picnik: Photo Editing Made Easy!
– How To Edit Your Photos using Picnik
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Small Object Photography Chapter 4 by Marlo Miyashiro
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If you’re like most people with online storefronts, taking better great photos of your small objects is number one on the list of things you need to do to improve your
shop. You’ve read the tutorials, turned off the flash, set up near a window, purchased a fancy light-tent pop-up contraption and perhaps even upgraded your camera and still, your results have been less than spectacular.
What more do you need to do to take an amazing photo?The difference between a good photo and a great photo, particularly with small objects, can be subtle. Composition, lighting and clarity all work together to create a visually appealing photo that gets the viewer up close and personal with the item – giving them a chance to emotionally connect, click and ultimately purchase it!
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Small Object Photography Chapter 4 by Marlo Miyashiro
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To achieve this kind of “visually tactile” imagery, it is necessary to approach your photography from your customer’s point of view. For instance, they might wonder:
• What is the piece made out of?
• How big is it?
• How heavy is it?
• How wide is it?
• What does it feel like?
Now you might be thinking, “How in the world do I show my customer what it *feels* like or how *heavy* it is if it’s just a photograph?”
This is where you start using that creative brain of yours! Yes, the same one that created that fantastic item you are photographing – and start playing:
• Try taking photos at lots of different angles.
• Go extreme – get down to eye level with your work.
• Learn how to use your camera’s manual settings to manipulate your photos.
• Play with the depth of field (sharp focus in front, soft focus toward the back) to create visual movement within the frame.
• Be daring and let part of the piece fall off the edge of the photo.
• Take super close up (or crop your photos) to highlight the texture of the piece.
Having trouble visually conveying the size of your piece? Use one of your shots to:
• Take a photo of the piece in or on your (or a friend’s) hand
• Place it next to an everyday (internationally recognized) object like a drinking glass, pencil, leaf, stapler, a pile of thumbtacks, a lemon…you get the point.
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Small Object Photography Chapter 4 by Marlo Miyashiro
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• Important: Be sure the object you are using for comparison falls off the photo’s edge so it doesn’t compete with your item!
The photographs we take are much more than a record of what we make. They are quite literally the gateway to a better understanding of you, your work and your business. Let’s make the most of them, shall we?
Related Resources
– How to Display and Present Your Products Effectively
– How To Use A Lightbox For Your Product Shots
– How to Create An Ad for Your Business
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What I've Learned from Taking Thousands of Product ShotsChapter 5 by Courtney Dirks
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After taking thousands upon thousands of product shots in preparation for my online store launch, I’ve learned countless valuable lessons. These lessons have helped
me transition from completely dreading taking photos of my products to enjoying every second of it and now, I’m grateful for the opportunity to share the most valuable lessons I’ve learned with you:
1. Take several shots of your product, but don’t get so caught up in capturing the ABSOLUTE perfect shot that your products never make it online. To give you a gauge, I take roughly 15-20 shots per product and narrow the final selection down to 3-5 of the best shots.
2. Identify the gear you want to use – I started out with a Canon Powershot Digital Elph, which is a simple point and shoot camera that I loved, but it broke so I had to move on. Now I’ve graduated to shooting with a Canon EOS Digital Rebel and I’ve really benefited from the perks of using an SLR (Single-Lens Reflex) camera. I alternate back and forth from using the lens that came with the camera and a separate macro lens that I purchased.
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What I've Learned from Taking Thousands of Product ShotsChapter 5 by Courtney Dirks
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3. Create consistency with your product shots – At first I was just focused on capturing great shots, using all kinds of props, backgrounds, etc. trying to make them look fun and artsy. What I realized is that although the images looked great individually, they lacked cohesion as a group. Now I aim to take a few pictures against a flat background so people can really see the workmanship without distractions, then I take 1-2 more creative shots using a fun background or a prop.
4. Find a system that works for you – I’ve read many articles on how to take great product shots, but it’s difficult (and sometimes even contradictory) to implement everyone’s strategies and advice. Take the tips that really resonate with you and put those to use, if other tips don’t strike you, move on!
5. Decide if you prefer shooting in the Night or Day – From all the articles I poured through, I found that many people prefer to shoot during the day. If you are shooting during the day, the two greatest lessons I’ve learned are to (1) diffuse the light to prevent glare (a great way to do so if you’re shooting inside is by
covering your windows with a white sheet) and (2) avoid direct sunlight.
6. Don’t use a flash – No matter what time of day you’ve selected to shoot, turn off your flash! It will create nasty glare.
7. Look around – try to find inspiration in the things you are drawn to, such as the magazines you like, the blogs you read, or the handmade shops you are interested in. What about their presentation draws you in? Can you incorporate some of those ideas into your photography?
8. Find the right props & background supplies – I’ve tried all sorts of props and I’ve finally settled on a few that actually aid me in photographing my images (for example, a metal jewelry display tree for photographing jewelry to show how it hangs). For backgrounds, I focus on using items (such as scrapbook paper or tiles) that can easily be used behind or underneath products to create a clean and consistent look.
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9. Find a great photo editing system – there are a number of great (and even free) photo editing tools available on the market that will help you clean up (edit) and tag your images. Find the one that works best for you.
10. Finally & most importantly, don’t get discouraged – I’ve dedicated hours upon hours and days upon days trying to figure out how to get my product photography just right and at times, I felt very discouraged, yet I stuck with it and I’m glad I did. If you feel like pulling your hair out, it always helps to walk away for a bit and come back once you’ve had a chance to recharge.
Related Resources
– Creating the Perfect Photo Setup For Your Product Photography
– Creative Commons: The What, Why and How
– Great Places for Continuing Education in Your Craft
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Contributors Courtney Dirks, a recent escapee of the corporate world with a background in commercial real estate, communications, and sales. She began alleviating her stress at work through creating handmade jewelry for Courtney Rian Designs. After bouncing around the west coast for years, she settled in Seattle and has found great joy traveling, playing sports and interacting with the local creative community.
Marlo Miyashiro, (a.k.a. IMakeCuteStuff) has been in the retail and wholesale handmade craft industries for more than 20 years. She is a jeweler, crafter, teacher, arts business consultant for emerging artists and current organizer of etsyRAIN, an active community of over 1000 artists who reside in western Washington. Check out Marlo's new photography blog at SmallObjectPhotography and learn more about her classes and consulting services at CreativeArtsConsulting.
Stay Tuned…We hope this eBook has helped alleviate some of the challenges you’ve faced and eased your anxiety about product photography. We are devoted to provide the best solutions for individuals to learn, share and support each other’s business growth online and we wish you the best of luck in your quest for online selling success. Stay tuned for future eBooks from Meylah!
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About Meylah Meylah provides artisans with their own ecommerce website and powerful tools so they can sell their products anytime, anyplace...easily.
Benefits of Meylah1. Build your brand and share the
story of their work through a personalized blog
2. Sell your products and services with a customized storefront
3. Connect and build their community and customer base through integrated social media channels
4. Share or sell your knowledge with an online tutorial creation tool called Byte-Syze Learning
5. Effectively manage your business all-in-one-place with innovative administration tools
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Photo credit: Kalyan Kanuri
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LicenseThis work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/byncnd/3.0/us/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 171 Second Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, California, 94105, USA
Trademarks All terms mentioned in this book that are known to be trademarks or service marks have been appropriately capitalized. Use of a term in this book should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or service mark.
Warning and DisclaimerEvery effort has been made to make this book as complete and as accurate as possible, but no warranty of fitness is implied. The information provided is on an “as is” basis. The authors shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to loss or damages arising from the information contained in this eBook.
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