If you’re like me, you read every article about taking product shots that you can possibly get your hands on! Over the course of the last two months, I’ve taken thousands upon thousands of shots in preparation for my online store launch and I wanted to share with you what I’ve learned...and how I’ve graduated from using curse words while shooting to hollering to my husband "you've gotta' see this, I got a good one."
Amazingly enough, I’ve transitioned from COMPLETELY dreading taking photos of my jewelry to enjoying every second of it. If you're in that frustrated state, maybe my experience & tips will give you some hope...here’s what I’d like to pass along:
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’ve been taking 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.
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. If you want to read more on this topic, Julie from A Fine Tooth Comb has a full section of her blog dedicated to taking great product shots with tips that are easy to implement and understand.
4. Find a system that works for you – I read so many articles on taking product shots, but found it very difficult to implement all of everyone else’s strategies. Take the tips that really resonate with you and put those to use, if other tips don’t strike you, move on! My example of this was using a tripod. I read article after article saying you absolutely need to use a tripod to get good product shots. I tried and tried using a tripod to avoid the shaky hand syndrome, but I felt that using a tripod was too cumbersome, limiting my mobility. I completely understand why tripods are great, but they just aren’t right for me. Many times, I felt like throwing my tripod off our balcony.
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.
My personal preference is to shoot at night because I feel like it is easier for me to control and create consistent looking images this way, without fighting with angles of the sun or praying for bright days. When shooting, I use a photo tent (approximately 20 inches x 20 inches). I’ve also tried using smaller photo tents, which works, but I prefer having a little extra space to allow for props to be used. At night, I use 2-3 photo lights (using daylight bulbs) to surround the photo tent.
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? Craftgawker is a great resource if you need some photo inspiration.
8. Find the right props & background supplies – I’ve tried all sorts of props and I’ve finally settled on a few for items that need to be photographed while hanging (a metal jewelry display tree) and a simple branch that I like, as well as some simple river rock and kitchen accessories for other pieces. In terms of backgrounds, I visited the Paper Zone and found fabulous sheets of scrapbook paper for under $1.00 each that can easily be used under or behind products to create a clean and consistent look.
9. Find a great photo editing system – there are a ton of great, free editing tools available, like Picasa, Picnik, FotoFlexer, or Gimp (here’s a more extensive list of free photo editing services by Vandelay Design if you're still looking for the service that fits you). For editing and tagging images in bulk, I use Picasa.
10. Finally & most importantly, don’t get discouraged – my husband and I have both spent hours upon hours and days upon days trying to figure out how to get my product photography just right. Honestly, at times I wanted to throw my camera over the balcony along with the tripod, but 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.
What tips and tricks have you learned for taking product shots? PLEASE share your knowledge & the tools you use to transfer your photos from good to great!
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35 Comments
This is a great post, thank you! It’s really helpful to hear other people’s tips on basic things such as photography. Love the example shots and the life examples you provide! Thanks again :-)
I love the paper background idea! Most of my shots are taken on various tiles or ceramics but I just loved the shots on the tree with the paper backgrounds! I definitely plan to try that!
My goodness! What a fabulous post, Courtney! So many great links and tips here! I love the Craftgawker site — that one is new to me!
I’m going to share this link with my readers — thanks for sharing your experiences with us!
This is such a great article! Tons of great information and very inspiring for those who have struggled with product shots (like me)!
Thanks for the post! I’m always looking for more product shot ideas. I find it is difficult to shoot handbags and to find the right time of day to do it.
Absolutely terrific advice. Smile
Great tips! And you just introduced me to craftgawker and now I’m addicted! Just wanted to add—I always try to compose some shots with square thumbnails in mind. Since I use Etsy, most people will first see my product in a square thumbnail format, and it needs to be eyecatching enough at that size and shape for them to click on it. As for your tripod rage—try this hack: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLlJl7TbXTA
Thank you all so much for the lovely comments, it means a lot to me.
@Valorie – Paper backgrounds will change your life! I was taking tons of images on stone tiles & I was really having a tough time because they were heavy, the paper is great because it’s so easy to move around and it doesn’t wrinkle or cause shadows as much as things like fabric do. . .
@Julie – Craftgawker is amazing, isn’t it? I hope you’re not getting tired of me linking to A Fine Tooth Comb, your content is amazing & so easy to absorb!
@Gilliauna – I’m so overjoyed that you commented, your photography has been such an inspiration to me and is a big reason for #7. I visit your Flickr photostream regularly & I love the images of how you setup your photo shoots, they really helped me when I was experimenting with day shots vs. night shots.
@Marigold – GREAT SUGGESTION on considering the thumbnail shot & that video is awesome, I’m definitely going to test that method out.
Thank you all again!
Wonderful article! Tomorrow is definitely need to be ‘redo-pics day’ utilizing all your fabu tips! Thank you so much!
I am smack bang in the middle of that frustrated stage you describe so this article and the tips are really timely for me – thanks so much. I’m going to take a deep breath and try again!
Another very good post about photography tricks – thanks!
I , too, can’t use the tripod and believe me, I’ve tried.
Such in interesting piece! Thank you. I am still working on perfecting my jewelry shots. I tried only this week working on inside shots but wasn’t delighted with them – the ones I like so far are ones I’ve done outside in the shade on bright mornings. But now you’ve given me a whole host of other ideas to try. Many thanks :) Cherrypik Jewels.
I really enjoyed your post. It was easy to understand, and really informative. I liked how you presented it from your point of view, and what worked for you.
All the best with your business!!
My best shots are taken outside early, early in the morning before the sun is overhead or on a very overcast day (nature's diffuser). I have tried shooting my product inside but always seem to get odd color shifts. Love natural light.
My best shots are taken outside early, early in the morning before the sun is overhead or on a very overcast day (nature's diffuser). I have tried shooting my product inside but always seem to get odd color shifts. Love natural light.
Great article. I really struggle with my photos. I use the same camera as you do but cant seem to get it just right. I am also going to try out shooting at night and with the photo bulbs. Thanks.
Thanks for the tips....I feel as if I am not too far off! I still need to master the lighting issue. Sometimes it is like magic and other times I take twice as many shots because of glare and faulty camera flash.
Thak you so much for the tips. I too have struggled with trying to get the "perfect" shots. Sometimes, re-shooting my pictures three times in day. Thank you, for helping to realize I need to relax. Let's get shooting!
Thanks! I am excited to implement your advice. Your background ideas are teriffic.
very interesting. any suggestions on what kind of light source to get?
If you get a new camera, give yourself time to get to know how to use it. It will work differently than your old one and you will feel like you've never taken pictures before.
Thank you! This really helps. I thought I knew a bit, but this will improve my shop so much, I can tell. Had issues with shooting in daytime or night, and this simplifies it ~ especially since I'm a night owl! Thanks for your generosity! ~Chini
Thanks for providing this tips. They are so help. It really forced me to take a look at my photos. I've experimented with camera settings and also added a lightbox, and it has made a world of difference!
Thanks for the great tips!
Great article. Thanks for the info on Picassa. My hard drive crashed last month, and I've been looking for a photo editing program that's more universal.
I love using a light box living in the Pacific NW, where the weather is so iffy. When it's too dark to shoot in natural light, I always have an alternative.
Also, I love shooting jewelry on silver glossy paper. It gives a rich and reflective look.
My tips and tricks:
1. Go to your local craft store and raid the scrapbook paper aisles to find some great, neutral backgrounds to use with your photos
2. Get a light tent with lights on Ebay (mine even came with a tripod - but I already had one :)
3. With a point and shoot (like the Canon Digital Elf which I also started out with) find the exposure settings so you can lighten and darken your pictures accordingly (esp when using a light or white background, the camera will automatically darken the picture, so you need to make your exposure higher so it truly captures the image on a white background) ---- or if you splurge and get a DSLR (which everyone should - put it on a store credit card if you must to pay it off -- it will pay for itself, trust me!), use the exposure button it as well to ensure perfect pictures that are truly crisp and sharp!
4. Shoot outside on an overcast day -- these have been my BEST shots to date! :)
Good luck! :)
any tips for those of us who do clothing or other larger-format items?
I think these are great starting tips, and I can totally relate with wanting to throw the camera at times, And I have done lots of photography for years... But product shooting is a whole other realm of photography, shooting my jewelry and crystals has proven difficult.
A suggestion for large items and clothing is to set up a studio atmosphere instead of a light tent or small scale studio. You will want 2-5 lights (I like the shop lights with the metal cone and the light bulb) and a large sheet tacked up as your background. Then just play around and see what you can make happen. This is one way we've set up in home portrait shots and it works well.
Thanks for the tips. Super helpful and positive article. Wonderful of you to take the time to write it :) Now I'm ready to go take some new product shots!
REALLY great post thank you. I'm getting frustrated with my photo taking just as you say, and I've stumbled upon your post at just the right time! Thank you.
Wow! I hear you on the tripod! I don't like to use them, either. The only time I use a tripod right now is when I'm helping my boyfriend shoot his music videos or if a client requests it.
Also, flash. I HATE flash, and I just want to rip the built in flash off my Nikon D60! (No worries--I won't. I paid too much for the camera.) I shoot most of the time with the flash turned off. This means learning to compensate manually for lighting and environment.
As for the light I DO like to use, I prefer natural daylight, preferably on an overcast day. I have a window in our studio that is perfect for this, and I also shoot in my back yard. I've had good results with these setups, even when there is sunlight.
This is a great post! Thanks for the tips!
That's given me some food for thought. I've always photographed on my windowsill, to try and get natural light (I've found that artificial light tends to be very yellow). I've never tried photographing at night. Might have to give it a go. Thanks.
Thank you so much for your suggestions. Photographing my jewelry has been one of the most challenging aspects of starting up a shop. You've help me calm down and reassess. Now I can approach it with a better understanding of what will help show it off. Thanks!
@Jojo - I'm so glad this article helped Jojo! I know it can be frustrating, but if you stick with it, it gets easier (and more enjoyable) over time!
You said to never use a flash because of glare! I beg to difer. A flash from a strobe has consistent light intensity and color temperature.
Always use a stobe! Use a light meter to make sure the light distribution is even and consistent