You’re opening an online store and want to take high-quality product photos that look professional, but despite following tutorials and trying photo editing, your images still fall short. What can you do to achieve better results?
From my experience as a professional retoucher and photography enthusiast – I’m here to provide powerful practical tips to take better product photos that will not only make your products shine but also help boost your sales.
How Is This Discussion Helpful For You?
- Common Struggle And Solutions In Product Photography
- Find Out If You’re Using The Right Product Photography Gear
- Tips On Background, Lighting, Composition
- Basic And Advanced Product Photo Editing Tips
First – 3 Common Struggles In Product Photography
There are common pitfalls that many beginners fall into when trying to take product photos, such as:
Bad Lighting: Poor lighting can make your product look dull or create unwanted shadows.
Cluttered Backgrounds: Busy backgrounds can distract from your product and make the image feel unprofessional.
Wrong Angles: Taking a photo from the wrong angle can hide the product’s best features or make it look unappealing.
In the next sections, I’ll walk you through how to avoid these mistakes and take photos that really highlight your products.
Tip 1: Get Right Tools & Equipment for Better Product Photos
When you’re starting out in product photography for your ecommerce, the right product photoshoot equipment can make a world of difference.
Whether you’re using a professional camera or a smartphone, the goal is to capture your products in the best light.
But what gear do you really need to get those professional-looking shots?
Camera Options

First things first: Do you need a DSLR camera, or can you use your smartphone? Honestly, both can work wonders, but there are some key differences.
If you have a DSLR or mirrorless camera, it will give you more control over things like exposure, depth of field, and focus, which will help your photos look more polished.
But don’t worry if you’re on a budget. Many modern smartphones have excellent cameras and can capture stunning shots with the right techniques.
Tip:
Start with what you have, and upgrade later. If you’re using a smartphone, make sure it has a good camera resolution (12MP or higher) and use manual focus, if available.
This can help you get sharper images and more control over your shots.
Lighting Gear
Now, let’s talk about lighting. You can have the best camera, but if the lighting is off, your photos will look flat. In product photography, lighting is everything.
Natural vs. Artificial Lighting
Natural light is often the best choice. It’s soft, free, and creates a natural feel for your products.
However, it can be hard to control. Cloudy days, bright sunlight, and varying times of day can all affect how your photos turn out.
Lighting Equipment

If you want consistent results, consider investing in artificial lights. Softbox lights, ring lights, or LED panels are great options.
Softbox lights give a diffused, even light, which is perfect for reducing harsh shadows and giving your products a natural look.
Diffusers and Reflectors
These tools are lifesavers. A diffuser helps soften the light and reduces harsh shadows, while a reflector bounces light back onto your product, filling in those dark spots.
You can find inexpensive options online, or even make your own with simple household items like white foam board.
Tripods and Stability Tools

One mistake many beginners make is shooting without a tripod. You’ll want your camera to stay still to avoid blurry photos, especially in low light.
A tripod can help keep everything stable, ensuring clear, sharp images.
A stable setup also lets you focus on other important aspects, like composition and lighting, without worrying about camera shake.
Tip 2: Setting Up the Perfect Photography Environment
The environment where you shoot plays a huge role in how your photos turn out. Let’s go over how to set up a clean, distraction-free space.
Background Setup

Your background should never distract from your product. A simple, clean background is key.
White Backgrounds
The classic white background is a staple in product photography. It’s simple, elegant, and helps your product stand out.
I recommend using matte, thick white paper instead of vinyl mats. Vinyl mats can create reflections and uneven textures, which won’t look good in your photos.
Matte paper, on the other hand, absorbs light and creates a smooth, even background.
Surface and Placement

The surface you use matters too. You want a flat, clean surface to place your products on.
Whether you’re shooting small jewelry or larger items like shoes or clothes, having a clean surface ensures that the focus stays on the product, not the messy background.
A simple wooden table, a clean countertop, or even a large piece of white paper can work great.
Tip 3: Mastering Lighting for Crisp, Clear Photos
Good lighting is the secret ingredient to great photos. If you’ve ever seen a product shot with harsh shadows or dark spots, you’ll know how important lighting is to getting things right.
Lighting Setup

For balanced lighting, it’s best to use multiple light sources. Two or three lights can help you cover your product evenly and avoid uneven shadows.
If you’re shooting a small item, like a piece of jewelry, a simple two-light setup from the sides can work wonders.
Placement of Lights

Position your lights at a 45-degree angle to your product. This will help light up your product evenly without creating harsh shadows.
If you want a softer effect, use a third light from above to fill in any dark spots.
Diffusion
One key to soft, flattering lighting is diffusion. Diffused light is soft and doesn’t create harsh lines or shadows.
You can buy professional diffusers, but if you’re on a budget, you can use a white bedsheet or shower curtain.
These items work as inexpensive diffusers that soften the light and make your photos look more professional.
White Balance Adjustments
Have you ever taken a photo that looks too yellow or too blue?
That’s likely because the white balance was off. Most cameras allow you to adjust the white balance according to the lighting source.
Use settings like “fluorescent” or “LED,” or manually adjust the temperature for more accurate colors. This will make your photos look more natural and real.
Tip 4: Composition Tips: Angles and Framing
Once your lighting and background are set up, it’s time to think about composition.
How you frame your shot and the angle you choose can completely change how your product looks.
Find the Best Angles

Different products shine from different angles. For example, a pair of shoes looks great when shot from a slight side angle, while a watch looks best from a top-down view.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with angles to see what makes your product stand out.
Filling the Frame

When you’re shooting a product, you want it to fill the frame. That means getting in close enough that the product is the focal point of the shot.
This minimizes distractions and helps the product take center stage.
Minimalism in Framing

Remember, less is more. Try to keep the frame as clean as possible by avoiding unnecessary items in the shot.
The product should be the star. A clutter-free image is not only more visually appealing but also looks more professional.
Tip 5. Editing Tips for Polished, Professional Results
Great photos aren’t just about getting things right in-camera. Post-processing is where you can take your images to the next level. To help with professional photo-post retouching, send us a free trial if you need.
Basic Post-Processing
Even a small adjustment in editing can make a big difference in your product photos.
Curves Adjustment in Photoshop

One tool I always use in Photoshop is the “Curves” tool. It lets you adjust exposure and contrast to make your product pop.
You can also correct the overall color balance to make sure the product’s true colors come through.
White Eyedropper in Photoshop

The white eyedropper tool in Photoshop is a quick way to ensure your background is pure white and your product colors are natural.
It’s a simple tool that can save you a lot of time in editing.
Use of Lightroom
Lightroom is an excellent tool for editing multiple photos at once. It helps you keep the color balance and exposure consistent across your images, making your product photos look uniform and professional.
Vibrancy and Color Balance
When editing, sometimes your photos might look a little dull. This is where adjusting vibrancy or color balance can bring the image to life.
Just be careful not to overdo it—subtle adjustments are key.
Tip 6: Advanced Techniques for Pro-Level Photos
Once you’ve mastered the basics of product photography, it’s time to take things up a notch.
In this section, we’ll explore some advanced techniques that can turn your good photos into professional-level shots.
Depth of Field

Photo Credit: Wikipedia
Depth of field is a fancy term, but it’s really about controlling what’s sharp and what’s blurry in your photo. In product photography, this can be crucial.
For example, when photographing a watch, you may want the face of the watch to be crystal clear, while the rest of the image gently fades into the background.
You can control depth of field using your camera’s aperture settings. A wider aperture (like f/2.8) creates a shallow depth of field, which blurs the background and makes your product stand out.
On the other hand, a smaller aperture (like f/8) keeps more of the image in focus, which is great if you’re photographing something like a set of items that should all appear sharp.
Focus Stacking

Focus stacking is a technique where you take multiple photos of the same product, each with a slightly different focus point, and then combine them in post-processing.
Why would you want to do this? Well, sometimes, your camera can’t focus on every tiny detail in one shot.
For example, if you’re photographing a piece of jewelry, you might want the entire necklace to be sharp, from the clasp to the end of the chain. Focus stacking allows you to do this.
I know it sounds complex, but once you try it, you’ll see how it helps create those crisp, detailed product photos that truly showcase your work.
Creative Lighting Effects
Lighting is everything, but sometimes, you want to add a little extra flair to your photos. This is where creative lighting effects come in.
Color Gels

Photo Credit: Amazon
You can use color gels on your lights to create interesting color effects.
For example, if you’re photographing a product that’s part of a holiday collection, a red or green gel can add that festive touch to the background.
Backlighting
Another cool technique is backlighting, where you place the light behind your product
This works especially well for items like glass bottles or translucent products, as it makes them glow and adds a dramatic effect.
These techniques can take your photos from basic to breathtaking with just a few adjustments.
Tip 7: Practice and Experimentation
Even though these advanced techniques sound exciting, the key to becoming a product photography pro is practice.
Let’s take a closer look at how experimentation can help you grow.
Trial and Error
The truth is, product photography isn’t always perfect on the first try.
You might set up your shot and think it looks amazing, only to find out that the lighting wasn’t right or the composition could be better. And that’s okay!
I’ve learned that trial and error is part of the process. If you try a setup and it doesn’t work, don’t get discouraged.
Instead, use it as a learning experience. Change one element, like the angle or lighting, and see how it affects the shot. Over time, you’ll develop a sense of what works and what doesn’t.
Patience is Key
You’ve probably heard the saying, “Good things take time.” It’s true in product photography as well.
You won’t become a master overnight, and that’s perfectly normal. As you experiment, you’ll encounter challenges.
Some photos won’t turn out as expected, but with each attempt, you’ll learn and improve. The more patient you are with the process, the better your results will be.
Learning by Doing
You don’t have to figure everything out on your own. There are tons of resources available to help you, from YouTube tutorials to online courses.
These can give you fresh ideas and walk you through techniques that you might not have thought of.
The more you practice and learn from others, the more confident you’ll become in your abilities.
Relevant FAQs
What’s The Best Camera For Product Photography?
For product photography, a DSLR or mirrorless camera from Canon or Nikon, like the Canon EOS Rebel T7 or Nikon D3500, offers great value. Advanced models like the Canon EOS 90D or Sony A7 III provide high-resolution sensors and fast autofocus for sharp images. Remember, lighting, composition, and editing matter more than expensive gear.
How Do I Avoid Blurry Product Photos?
To avoid blurry photos, use a tripod to stabilize your camera and set a fast shutter speed (1/125 or higher). Use a smaller aperture (f/8) for sharp focus on the whole product. Utilize a remote or timer to avoid shake, and ensure proper lighting to prevent motion blur.
What Settings Should I Use For Indoor Product Photography?
For indoor product shots, use a low ISO (100-400) to reduce noise, set your aperture between f/5.6 and f/8 for sharpness, and keep your shutter speed at least 1/125 seconds. Use soft, diffused lighting (like softboxes or natural light) and adjust white balance to match your light source for accurate colors.
Bringing It All Together
Let’s quickly recap the most important tips:
Lighting: Experiment with natural and artificial lighting to find what works best for your product.
Equipment: Start with what you have, but don’t hesitate to invest in good gear as you grow.
Composition: Use angles and framing to highlight your product in the best way possible.
Editing: Don’t underestimate the power of post-processing to enhance your photos and make them stand out.
Now, it’s your turn! Go ahead and start experimenting with your own setups. Try new angles, lighting, and editing techniques. And when you’re ready, share your photos or ask for feedback. I’d love to see what you create!If you need professional retouching and editing services, Image Retouching Lab is ready for you when you are ready!