Product photography is not just about cameras and lenses. It is one of the trickiest photography techniques that require tons of equipment and budget. This article will guide you on how to Light Product Photography at home or outside.
One of the main elements is the lighting setup. Lighting can make the photo stunning or bad, depending on how you arrange the lighting.
Using studio light is an excellent way for product photography indoors and outdoors, and natural sunlight is also beneficial. You have to know how to use them.
Lighting for Product Photography
Lighting photography is one of the essential parts of having good color and sharpness in your photos. So, check this article to know more:
Lighting Setup
There are no hard and fast rules for the best lighting setup for product photography. You have to maintain other variables to be creative. Lighting setups depend on personal preference, experience, space, the product you are shooting, and your equipment and gear. Here you will learn a basic and popular lighting setup with minimal equipment.
Start with this go-to setup, then move around to the next step.
Lighting Source
You will need a non-reflective backdrop, lighting source, and defuser for product photography. The light source could be natural or artificial. Artificial light is excellent for capturing your photo if you are shooting indoors.
You don’t need artificial light for outdoor photography when the sun is bright. Sometimes cloudy day requires it. Do not mix the lighting means, artificial and natural lighting, or don’t use different types of artificial light simultaneously. Use only the same kind of lighting, whatever the amount is.
Keep the artificial light simple. There are many options available for Studio lighting for product photography. Studio lights are of three types, fluorescent, LED, and tungsten. Fluorescent is low output light.
You may need them when the day is cloudy, and the indoors have less than enough light. LED lights are popular that produce low heat. For this reason, many professionals prefer LED lights for product photography. Tungsten gives the highest level of output but also generates high heat. Photographers love to use this light.
Reflector
Use a reflector to keep the natural color of the product. Every product reflects light, and a reflector bounces it back in annoying ways, changing the light direction and color. To create different effects, you can use white foam boards and commercial or commercial photography reflectors.
Diffuser
A diffuser can soften the shadows so the light will be scattered and passes through them more evenly. It removes any harsh shadows and distractions and highlights the object. It’s an optional option if you have a good lighting source. A white sheet or curtains can work as a great diffuser.
How to Setup Lighting(Lighting for product photography at home)
for beginners, start with side and backlighting. These lights can mimic natural lights. One light is the main light. The main light should have a more substantial output. You can use a softbox with these lights for better results. Choose a large softbox because the light dispersed more widely over the scene.
You can use one light instead of two. The side light creates shadows on the opposite side, and other light will eliminate the shadows. The other light doesn’t need any softbox. Just put one light on the right and one light on the left To illuminate both sides more evenly.
After placing the light, position the reflector to balance out the shadows. Keep the lights at the same height and distance, and place a diffuser between them. Add a diffuser if the shadows are too heavy. Click a few photos to check where it needs to correct the setups.
Working With Shadows
Quality of light and shadow can help bring out the details in a product, create an attractive contrast, and make the image more appealing. It is important to understand the type of light you’re working with, such as natural or artificial, and the direction of the light.
Learning how to manipulate lighting effects in Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom can take some practice, but it is worth it for a great result. Experimenting with different combinations of these controls can create stunning results that draw attention to specific aspects of your product image.
Natural daylight can also be used to produce beautiful images with minimal effort if done correctly.
Working With Lights
Learning how to manipulate light is essential for product photography. One way to do this is by changing the direction of the light source. Another is by adjusting the intensity of light with dimmers or filters.
Controlling reflections can also be important, such as using black cards or negative fill to minimize reflections.
Experimenting with different angles and intensities can help create stunning product photographs that stand out from the crowd.
How to Use Natural Light
What About Working With Natural Light? Product photography is a great way to show off your products attractively. Direct sunlight can create harsh shadows that are unflattering for product photography.
When shooting on sunny days, it’s best to shoot in the morning or late afternoon when the sun is lower in the sky. Another thing to consider when working with natural light is color temperature.
Lighting Arrangement
the ring light is better for front lighting as it evenly distributes lights on the product. The preferable method is to set the light in front of the object.
But place it further away from the thing as it is bright, and you may have to use a defuser. Dome lights are suitable for tilting the light downward to shoot dark products. It creates a dark atmosphere. Uniform lights or dual lights are essential to place correctly to eliminate reflection.
Set up the lights in a triangular shape to experience. You do not have studio-grade lighting; natural light comes from the window and sometimes help to take excellent product picture.
Back Lighting
Backlighting is a basic lighting setup where you have to place the light source behind the product. This way, you can create a dramatic effect; remember a defuser if needed.
Using Light Box
using the light box for product photography is another affordable and easy way to get an excellent picture. A light box is a small box made with white materials. The box has one open end where you have to put the product. Lightbox does not create unexpected reflection.
Use Natural Light
A window can be a great option when you don’t have any studio light. Look for a well-lit room with large windows, or go outside on a cloudy day. Direct sunlight can cause harsh shadows and overexposure, so avoid shooting during the middle of the day.
Use a tripod to keep your camera steady and a lightbox or white background to make the product stand out.
Try shooting from different angles to see what works best and to reduce shadows. Use a low ISO to avoid grainy images and a high aperture to create a shallow depth of field and make the product stand out. You can also use reflectors to bounce light back onto the product.
Last Few Words
Lighting product photography is a skill that requires practice and dedication to master. It involves manipulating light intensity, direction, and quality with professional equipment and Adobe software or using natural light to create stunning effects.
With enough practice, anyone can become an expert at this craft. I hope this article on how to light product photography will help you understand different steps, guides, and tips for getting better knowledge to become more confident in shooting
Related article: Best camera lens for product Photography.
Leave a Reply