Getting The Right Product Photo

The right product photo is essential for an online business to succeed. In the right light, a product always looks newer, brighter, shinier and generally much better got up than it would in a different lighting setup. When consumers only get to see an image before making a purchase, it is vitally important that this image be of the top quality.

While snapping the picture, it is necessary to keep the basics of good photography in mind –

1) Right amount of light. Some products look their best in full daylight, while others can show off their features only in dim light settings.

2) Best angle.

3) Good camera work – shutter speed, ISO settings, focusing etc

4) Easy distinction between the foreground and background

5) Image clarity. Even an image that will ultimately end up being 100X100px on the screen needs to be clear when it is first shot. Snapping pictures on a mobile phone camera will not give a very impressive end result.

When choosing a professional photographer to make web-ready photos of your product, make sure of two things –

1) check samples of the photographer’s work on the subject you want. A wildlife photographer, for example, may not be the best choice for a jewelry catalogue.

2) the photographer should be able to understand your needs.

If you are doing the photography yourself, make sure to read up on the lighting, angles and photography tools required for the job you have on hand. Items that are designed to reflect light will require a completely different mindset and setup from items that are more subdued in color.

In today’s world, the raw shot is only a small part of the image. Advanced image editing skills are needed to make the picture upload-ready. Contrasts need to be enhanced, border effects added, backgrounds whitened out, colors brightened… in short, you have to turn a real-world product into something that almost looks computer-generated, but not quite. Drop shadows are also useful, as they indicate the position of the product – whether it is meant to be kept standing, lying down, or wall mounted.

Once a satisfactory picture has been obtained, you’d think the task was over. Sadly, no. Each website – Amazon, eBay, Etsy, what have you – has its own standards for image size and resolution. If the image is bigger than they allow, it will not be displayed. But if it is smaller than other images, clients may choose to think that the product is inferior. This is why it is best to stick with the largest image that flatters your product and still fits within the permitted limit.

While picking out your photography equipment, make sure that you can use it as you want to. The biggest, most expensive, most sophisticated tool is not always the right one for you. From cameras to editing software, make sure you can try out your tools before making your purchase, and that their features tally with your personal and professional requirements.