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How To Properly Light Your Product Photos For Better Sales Online
by Ron Knowlton
Awww, that product shot! You know it has to be just right,
whether it's for an item you plan to sell in an online auction
or on your web site.
Looking through the camera's viewfinder, it appears the
lighting is perfect with just the right combination of shadows
and light. Your product is in the right spot. You carefully aim
your camera and shoot ...
But then the truth suddenly hits when you see the finished
picture. You don't remember the shadows being soooo dark and the
bright spots being soooo light ...
It's difficult, afterall, to see your subject exactly the way
the camera sees it ...
Why "Cloudy Day" Lighting Is Just Right
The differences between shadow and light are much greater in
your finished picture, in general, than they are when you see
them with your natural eye. This is particularly true on a
bright sunny day with the sun directly overhead.
However, there is one time when your eye will see the scene
almost the same way as the camera. That's on a cloudy day - with
light clouds in the sky (not real dark ones). The lighting is
very even - there is little difference between light and dark.
The shadows are soft - not very distinct. The bright spots are
not very bright.
This is what you should aim for when you take your product
photos - even, "cloudy day" style lighting!
Solution - Create a "Cloudy Day"
If you don't have a cloudy day, you may be able to "create" one
indoors. How? By taking your product (we'll pretend it's a
stuffed animal for this article) and placing it near a window -
that has a light-colored (or white) curtain that allows some of
the light to shine through. The curtain "diffuses" the light -
meaning it decreases the difference between light and dark -
giving your picture few dark shadows and real bright spots and
gives a "cloudy day" lighting effect.
With "cloudy day" lighting, you really don't have to worry much
about the lighting, as your product will be lit evenly on all
sides with very soft - or even no shadows at all.
Try to Imagine How the Camera Will See the Picture
One thing you should always do when you take your picture is to
try to imagine how the camera will see it.
Remember, your eye sees it differently and it looks fine to
you. The camera, however, will exaggerate the differences
between light and dark. You want to reduce those differences if
possible - with fewer dark shadows and less bright (or hot)
spots.
Another thing to watch for is distracting elements - such as
lighting patterns streaming across your photographic subject.
The light-colored curtain (that seemed so perfect a moment ago)
can leave a checkerboard pattern of light across the face of
your stuffed animal. That patchwork of light may seem almost
insignificant to you as you take the picture, but remember - the
camera sees it - and it will in all likelihood, show up quite
prominently in your finished picture.
Try a Plain Bed Sheet
Instead of a lacy curtain, you may want to try a plain white
bed sheet (that has no patterns) to get rid of the patchwork of
light. Just place the bed sheet between your strong light source
and your stuffed animal (or product). In many cases this will
work just fine.
However, at some point, you may want to consider a more
"professional" solution - a photo light box (or lighting tent).
A "Lighting Tent" - Your Portable Photo Studio
If you have a lighting tent, put your stuffed animal in the
tent. Move the tent to a spot where there is plenty of light
(maybe even outside on a sunny day). The tent is like placing
clouds between your strong light source (the sun) and your
"stuffed animal" - or product.
Another benefit of the lighting tent, is that it's usually very
easy to set up (in most cases) and you can take it down just as
quickly and easily. It gives you an instant photo studio for
your product shot!
Use Table Lamps in a Pinch
If you're in a hurry and can't find a spot with plenty of
light, you may need to improvise. Find some strong table lamps
and place them around the light box.
There are some lighting boxes (or lighting tents) that come with
photographic lights (which makes it easy - you just plug the
lights in and you have instant lighting). If you don't have photo
lights,
though, use what you do have - the table lamps or the sun
- if
it's sunny outside.
Practice Makes Perfect
Once you begin thinking about the lighting for your product
shot, you'll soon start to notice small details (that the camera
always sees) like dark shadows and lighting patterns on your
subject.
After awhile, you'll begin to realize how the camera is viewing
the shot and you'll start to make adjustments.
As in anything, it just takes practice and a little bit of
patience.
Ron Knowlton is a former photojournalist. He tries to help
people take better pictures. Go to the How-To of Photography at:
http://www.photographyschoolbooks.com/
Also go to
http://www.helpyousucceed.com to read more of Ron's articles.
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