In today’s digital world, product photography is everywhere. From billboards to magazines to the internet and commercials, companies spend a considerable amount of time on product photography Montreal services to boost their sales. When we talk about eCommerce platforms for online sellers, one major name that emerges at the forefront is eBay. With over 135 billion users worldwide, it’s still a major player in the online marketplace and surely worth the seller’s time and money.
Why eBay?
With all the new eCommerce platforms, preferring eBay is still worth your time and money. eBay is truly an internet success story. From humble beginnings to operations in thirty countries, it has been a successful platform for online sellers where anyone can access a computer and camera to become an entrepreneur overnight.
Founded by Pierre Omidyar, eBay brings buyers and sellers together in an open marketplace. Over the past two decades, it has been one of the leading marketplaces, the second biggest just behind Amazon.
However, the competition is fierce, and to survive and thrive, professional Montreal product photography is the answer.
What is product photography?
Product photography deals with selling the product and showcasing its function, beauty, and desirability. Product photography is mainly sales-driven and a form of storytelling. It also helps to establish a company’s brand and style.
What makes a great product photograph?
A professional product photographer Montreal reflects the time and pride in your work, increasing their trust in you and your products. Since eBay is successful because of people’s trust, gaining the trust of the customers is pertinent, and high-quality product photography is one way to do that.
A great product photograph is one in which the customer can glean as much information about the product as possible. The product photograph should be well-lit, in focus, and have no distractions in the background. Simplicity is always the best approach for eBay or other famous e-commerce platforms like Amazon.
What are the photography basics for beginner product photographers?
Beginner photographers are often put off by the seemingly complex technical knowledge required to operate a camera. However, the principles are not that tough to grasp. The three basic principles you need to gain active control of your photography are:
- Exposure
- Depth of Field
- Meter modes
Exposure
Exposure means the amount of light that reaches your film or digital camera sensor. A technically correct exposure will not be too bright or too dark. Correct exposure for product photography is achieved through a combination of ISO, aperture, and shutter speed and is not just limited to shutter speed, as most beginner photographers believe it to be.
Depth of Field
The depth of the field refers to the range of distance that appears acceptably sharp. Larger f numbers have a small depth of field, while smaller numbers have a greater depth of field. F-stop means aperture measurements on your camera. The depth of the field also depends on the focal length of the lens. For most of the products, the photography f8 is a good starting point.
Meter modes
Your camera indicates the correct exposure via the exposure meter, which is visible through the viewfinder, LCD screen, or both. Try decreasing the shutter speed while increasing the aperture, aiming to keep the marker in the middle. However, always remember that there’s a difference between a technically correct exposure (determined by the camera light meter) and a creatively correct exposure. With your technical skills, always trust your own gut feelings and a creative vision when choosing exposure settings.
What are the crucial factors for mastering the art of product photography?
- Setting up your product photography studio
The size of the studio you require is largely determined by the products you’re selling. For products with a wide range of sizes, you should go for a larger studio. You can still shoot smaller objects by moving lights closer to the product.
The foremost factor you need to consider while setting up your product photography studio is lighting. Lighting is a crucial aspect of setting up a studio for product photography, as it directly impacts the quality of your images and how your products are presented. Proper lighting techniques can enhance the details, textures, and colors of your products, making them look more appealing and professional.
To set up your studio for product photography:
- Choose the Right Lights: Use continuous lighting or strobes, depending on your preferences and expertise. LED lights are a popular choice due to their versatility and adjustable color temperature.
- Soft Light: Soft, diffused lighting reduces harsh shadows and creates even illumination. Softboxes, umbrellas, or diffusers can be used to achieve this.
- Positioning: Place your lights at a 45-degree angle from the product to create depth and dimension. Avoid direct, flat lighting that can make products look flat and uninteresting.
- Backdrop and Sweep: Use a neutral backdrop that doesn’t distract from the product. Create a seamless transition between the backdrop and the surface your product rests on.
- Reflectors and Fill Lights: Use reflectors to bounce light back onto the product and fill in shadows. This can help achieve a balanced and well-lit image.
- Lighting Ratios: Experiment with different lighting ratios to control the balance between light and shadow. A 2:1 or 3:1 ratio is commonly used for product photography.
- Test and Adjust: Continuously test and adjust your lighting setup to achieve the desired results. Take test shots and make necessary changes before starting the actual shoot.
- Preparation and setting up the shot
Here are the following ways to prepare for your shoot:
Clean your product
The most important step is to clean any product before shooting. Clean it with a damp cloth and wipe away any dust, fingerprints, and stains. When selling your product on eBay, you should photograph the box of your product, along with any instructions and accessories.
Composition
Composition goes a long way toward determining the appeal of your product photograph. Composition is the art and skill of arranging the subject and camera in such a way that objects and areas of light and shadow combine to create an image that is visually appealing and appears natural to the eyes. Many photographers ignore light while composing pictures, but areas of light and shadow can be used as composition tools.
Understanding color theory
The color of the items and the background need to be taken into account when you’re composing the shots. Some colors clash, while others are harmonious. Colors adjacent to each other are harmonious, while the ones opposite create tension.
For instance, black represents sophistication, power, and formality, and it can make other colors pop, while red is primarily associated with passion, power, pride, and strength.
When you compose your picture, you’re not just selling the product but also the emotion of the product and the brand. The main aim of product photography is to inform, influence, and persuade. Observe different Montreal Product Photographer, notice how the colors are brought together, and try to decipher the message behind them and the feeling they evoke in you. This can help you connect with your customers on a deeper level.
Conclusion
In the dynamic world of eCommerce, mastering product photography is a game-changer, especially on platforms like eBay. This comprehensive guide has unraveled the art and science of creating compelling product images. From understanding exposure and depth of field to setting up an efficient studio and harnessing the power of composition and color theory, you’re equipped to captivate customers, build trust, and thrive in the competitive market.
