Until you start taking pictures of inanimate objects, it’s hard to appreciate how much work goes into a great product shot. Knowing how to take killer product photos is essential for anyone who sells online; from eBay to Etsy to home-run websites, sell product images. They are in the visual description that you give to the buyer, and the only thing the potential customer has is whether or not they want to buy your product.
In the “real” world, you could send your work to a BUYER. They could feel how heavy, how soft, how big or small, and generally a good idea of how to use them in their home. Online, you have nothing but pictures and words to achieve the same process. Your product photos have a big job to do!
Customer service product photography can be done by anyone, which is good news. The bad news is that even with the tips in this guide, you will have to experiment. Try looking at the process as a way to play with your products, and it can be a lot more fun.
Backgrounds in Product Images
One of the biggest clues to how professional your product will look to the shopper is the type of background used in the photo. Do this quick test: first, search for the type of product you sell on eBay. Look through the book through the events and note the photos. Now, run that same search on one of your favorite catalog websites. Which products appealed to you more?
There is no difference between the new product that Jonathon Doe is selling from his home at auction on the site and that same product being sold on a commercial website . It is the same product; it is the images that give a different impression.
Most people have a habit of photographing products in an everyday setting. Spread things on the floor, a carpet, a bed, or a rug, because these allow the price of the whole piece to be shot. This is the only attitude that really makes a difference in professional quality product images.
Instead of going with something ordinary that someone can design within seconds, try to think of subjects that have some kind of abstract artistic appeal. Wood, fabric, and cardstock are great places to start, but there are also things to go beyond. A huge jewelry artist “Auntie Ditis”, uses white rice candida as an eco-friendly to really put the beauty in it. If your product is water-tight, ice cubes and even glasses or bowls of water make a great subject.
Whatever type of career you choose, make sure it doesn’t distract from what you’re doing. A good color should not have too many patterns in it, and against the product photographing. If you are taking a photo of a light or bright product, use a dark background. Dark things come to light in places.
Produce Photo Options
When you think of a portrait of someone, you can usually imagine them in some kind of setting. Graduation photos are a fantastic example – many of them are taken outdoors or with a loved one (sitting in front of the much-loved convertible seat, ready to kick sick ball, etc.) and that the settings are only for the photo.
Your products should be thought of in a similar way. They have a natural “kill” – a place where, if they were human, they would want to live. That setting points to the functionality of the product and can create a style.
Of course, this is called staging. It means setting up your photo environment as a place in it. Handcrafted products often display the best with the fun in the natural environment; use “natural” things like rocks, flowers, wood for background and props. Technology objects work best in a sterile scene – placed against a metal object, or supporting people with technology naturally associated (a computer mouse in his muscle with a cup of coffee smoking nearby, for example).
When it comes to product photography, think about how your product functions, and how you can show your customers what’s in their home. They can be instinctive because they have a computer mouse on their desk, or a necklace around their neck. The stage and target must be forced to create an environment that showcases its product to its best advantage.
Fire in Product Photography
Almost every guide will make one thing clear and obvious: don’t use flash. Natural lighting is your best bet. Try to focus on your background and wander near the window – but not directly in front of it – to get the benefits of the sun.
If all else fails and you must use lighting, use lamps instead of overhead lights, which will cast strange shadows.
Beyond natural lighting, make sure you use the digital camera’s built-in backgrounds to your best advantage. Using “macro” on positioning your camera will allow you to work with the light so that fine details can be picked out in your product. If your camera has a white balance setting, adjust it to the environment you are working in.
ProductPhoto Editing
You don’t need to be a Photoshop expert to edit your images for maximum effect. In fact, if you don’t understand or don’t want to mess with a graphic editor at all, you can use Google’s free Picasa program. You’ll be able to crop, adjust colors and lighten, sharpen or soften your images and a whole lot more using a really easy extension. Seriously, it’s a program for someone who doesn’t want to learn how to use the program.
Any photo you take must be opened by an editor in some way. You’ll want to take some time to make sure the product is close enough to be the focus of your photo. Having too much background or “white space” can distract your customer and even cause them to abandon your product in the first place.
Once you’ve picked and done the little things you want to do, look at the selection of images you have for your product. When you’re ready to share them, you should share a few photos that offer different angles and both close-ups and full shots.
When the job is done, you can give yourself a little pat on the back. Taking the time to actually focus on how your products are displayed means a huge difference in sales…which is always worth the extra effort.
