Apparel product photography is a subset of commercial photography that focuses on photographing clothing, accessories, and other fashion items for marketing and selling. When it comes to apparel e-commerce, the quality of apparel photography is extremely important because a customer will only purchase an apparel product if they find it appealing enough. A professional product photographer Montreal can do it for you if you own an e-commerce store or want to increase your online sales. You can also perfect this art by following the apparel product photography tips we mentioned below:
Clothes should be washed and ironed.
Before starting an apparel product photography Montreal shoot, it’s crucial to wash and iron clothes to remove dirt and wrinkles. Preparing and styling clothes ahead of time can enhance the overall quality of the photograph. Adjustments to the arm or leg and padding add body and shape. Avoid using photo editing software to correct visible flaws, opting for Photoshop or other software for finishing touches.
Showcase the texture or pattern of the clothing.
To reveal the exact texture and pattern of the clothes, use close-ups or side lighting. We will describe three methods for capturing apparel product photography below:
- Making Use of a Mannequin
A mannequin is an excellent choice for clothing product photography. It is ideal for low-budget shoots because it gives the cloth depth and body, allowing the customer to visualize how it will look when worn. A half-size mannequin is ideal for shooting jackets and shirts, while a full-size mannequin is ideal for shooting trousers, skirts, dresses, and suits.
- Photographing Flat Clothes
Flat clothing photography, also known as flat lay photography, is a style used to visually showcase clothing and accessories. It involves laying items flat on a surface and photographing them from the top down. This style is effective for displaying patterns, textures, and smaller items like accessories. The standard setup involves two diffused lights pointing downward at 450, with forward-facing lighting to reduce creases and side lighting to highlight texture.
- Getting a model
Though models are more expensive, they help customers envision the product for themselves. If you are a beginner photographer, look at model photographs in magazines and on the Internet. Take note of their poses and determine what works and what does not.
Use lights to work.
Light is a crucial element in photography, with two types: hard and soft/diffused. Proper lighting in apparel product photography enhances appeal, highlights features, and creates a consistent look. It determines colour accuracy, texture, detail, consistency, shadow and glare elimination, mood, and aesthetics, making it essential for capturing the beauty and appeal of clothing and accessories.
Set up your equipment.
To ensure consistent framing and sharp images in low-light situations, use a sturdy tripod and a high-resolution DSLR or mirrorless camera with a versatile lens like a 50mm or 85mm prime. For apparel product photography, use a simple white background, complementing clothing colours without distracting from the products.
Editing
Editing is a critical step in achieving the best possible result for your photography. It is extremely important to improve the visual appeal and professionalism of apparel product photography. Here are some key points to think about:
- Sort through your files.
Make sure your files are organized before you begin editing. Make a separate folder for each product or photoshoot to keep things organized and easy to find.
- Selecting the Best Software
Professional photo editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Lightroom, should be used. These tools provide a variety of features and flexibility when it comes to editing apparel product photos.
- Import and select photos.
Import your raw photos into the editing software, then select the images that best represent your products. Remove any duplicates or unusable images.
- Basic Modifications
Begin by making simple adjustments to improve the overall image quality. Make sure the image is properly lit by adjusting the exposure. Make the clothing stand out by increasing the contrast. For even lighting, balance the highlights and shadows. Correct any colour casts as well to achieve accurate colours.
- Cropping and straightening
Crop the images to remove any distracting elements and keep the aspect ratio consistent. If necessary, straighten the image to make the product appear level.
- Background Editing
Use a white or neutral backdrop that is truly seamless and clean. If you want a transparent or different background, use Photoshop tools such as the Pen Tool to carefully remove the background while keeping clean edges around the product. Insert a different background, such as a contextual image or a consistent studio background, if desired.
- Colour Adjustment
Colour accuracy is critical in apparel photography. Check that the colours of the product match the actual item. To fine-tune colours, use tools like colour balance and hue and saturation adjustments. To remove any colour casts, adjust the white balance.
- Web and print exports
When you’re finished editing, export the images in the appropriate formats and resolutions. Export images for online use in formats such as JPEG with optimized compression for faster loading times. If you intend to use the images in print, export them in high-resolution formats such as TIFF or PSD.
- Consistency is essential.
To ensure a cohesive and professional look in your product catalogue or website, use a consistent editing style across all product images.
- Make a backup of your files.
To avoid losing data, always keep backups of your original and edited files.
Conclusion
Mastering the art of apparel product photography is critical in the world of e-commerce. Each step contributes to capturing the perfect look that draws in customers and elevates your brand, from meticulous preparation and creative styling to harnessing the power of lighting and employing expert editing from Montreal product photographers. With these essential techniques at your disposal, you’ll be able to create enticing images that will ultimately drive sales and success.
Impression Photography is your go-to photo studio in Montreal, with a team of skilled professional product photographers producing high-quality product images, including flawless apparel photos.
