Clean product photos sell better. Whether they’re produced through a
photo editing app or expensive photography tools. Food bloggers and their followers benefit in the same way, and the tech reviewer benefits from the fact that photo and video production share the same foundation. The camera is also able to record, and thanks to LED bulbs, we're working in a constant brightness that lights up the scene. Appealing product presentation has never been more straightforward. However, there are a few tricks to learn nonetheless, and the following tutorials will help you do so. Enjoy!
This deodorant is illuminated by a single source of light. The effect is dramatic, primarily due to the interaction between the product color and the background, which contains the same color.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTo4Jrn-EgA
Especially when it comes to pure pleasure products, it is recommended to design a fitting setting in the background. For this wine bottle, the environment is a pretty wooden surface, a leather background, and some old ropes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yugf_8TeJgI
Another example of how a product's color can also be used for the background, to get quick, appealing results. Here, individual options for the lighting and their benefits are displayed, as well as settings made on the camera, to mimic typical product shots.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A4ZBL771nk
Often, the most mundane items are very suitable as a setting for a product. Here, a watch is being tested in front of an old mousepad, a leather wallet, as well as the backside of a monitor.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WomMe_2U5Zc
Even small investments (this is about 50 dollars) can get you a light setup for excellent shots. A softbox and an LED lamp are all it takes. A few plastic boxes serve as a stand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gmL6aJ8GXG0
Expensive sports shoes always require a flashy presentation. In this case, the shoe seems to be flying, and this does not need Photoshop skills, as it can be accomplished with a bit of handicraft. Now, not only the shoe but also the shoe laces appear to be levitating.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIrm2iWqN48
If you want to sell products in an online shop, you don't need a studio anymore. As you can see, two small LED lamps and a white sheet put over a box do the job just fine.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OB73xG38has
(Half-)Transparent objects are said to be harder to illuminate than solid ones. Here, a transparent rum is illuminated with a softbox. In the background, another light makes for a circular area.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbygP9abfUc
This video tutorial shows how handmade products are often displayed in photos. Fitting cameras, lenses, and other supplies, as well as tons of tips and tricks, are also presented.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W623NXjIYs
The low light photography has its very own set of rules. Here, the according supplies are introduced and then shown in action. The camera settings are explained in detail.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DDC99PmPWW8
Depending on the product, a different background, a different mood is required. The presented smoky background is a perfect fit for the retro light in the foreground. The old box or the suitcase are fitting choices for the concept as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWSSDB7C4_w
Additional objects can also enhance a product photo, like adding tomatoes to a picture of tomato juice, for example. Here, the background is a Tuscany landscape, added in Photoshop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDfdHRR0Mc4
The big question if the smartphone camera is sufficient for product photos is near irrelevant. This video is more about the subject whether the iPhone 6s or the Lumix G7 is the better choice for these pictures.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MTYqGTgua90
Plenty of product photography tips from Dan Bernard. He presents his equipment and several small tricks that are just as useful. A piece of paper under the subject results in softer shadows.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-uY8eSKK8g
This is a very fresh and entertaining approach to product photography, including costumes, lists, and a bunch of products. The creator also speaks against monochrome backgrounds and prefers fitting sceneries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZ3tTlp01as
Tips on the appropriate backgrounds for shots in the typical flat lay style (images taken from above, looking at an area where all products are lined up cleanly) can be found here. Nikki uses posters with wood surfaces to vary the background.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKAvMGyzzqQ
Natural light sources, like big windows, provide many options. With a few tricks, shadows can be minimized, allowing the given light to be useful to the fullest extent. As the lighting changes over time, it is necessary to make good use of the given time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DdBhOu6Xmg
Daniel Norton creates the desired reflections on beauty products using hard light. He makes good use of his product's mirror, using an additional light to place a glow cast from within the mirror.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k68ZKY-Y22M
Merely recording small products with the iPhone works incredibly well. It doesn't always take expensive and huge equipment. It takes a lot of light though, so an outdoor shoot on a table with a white surface is recommended.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8zcs4MvwGg
In a somewhat provoking manner, this video frowns upon using the Hasselblad, as the iPhone is entirely sufficient. The result confirms this opinion. Here, a good bit of advice is the app used for photography, as it offers way more settings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4eP7VwbnSg
A few pieces of black and white cardboard, two lamps, and a tripod are sufficient for a high-quality display of products. The self-made items even allow you to play around with the light on the product.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eaPWuBBtd8A
This guide shows you how easy it is to take pretty photos for Instagram or Etsy. To do so, three different light cubes are presented. They make for very scattered light, preventing shadows.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KrJ9cv9AXj8
The ingredients for this set are presented in the beginning, even including the adhesive tape. Crinkled tinfoil is creatively placed in the background, and lit-up with red foil, giving additional options, depending on the orientation of the lighting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OO4IVCSs6s
This video promises ten tips on product photography, and it's impressive that many of them were not included in previous videos. For instance, there's a lot of advice on camera settings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpaZCNoBgbA
Photographers indeed have some proclivity for alcohol, which is a favorite subject for product photography videos. Here, wine and glass are the subjects. Two speedlights provide the lighting setup.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jk1UsYRmsoQ
The structure of the set (with a glass palette for the reflection) is only presented briefly. The focus is more on the postprocessing in Photoshop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8oWdGd2hkQ
In food photography, accessories are a significant factor. Baked, fried or cooked food has to be served on an appropriate foundation. The example here is both tasty and stylistically confident.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNXr_QpHrrI
The following tutorial shows you how to create your lightbox easily. Cut an opening into a cardboard box, and cover it with paper. Lit-up, this is a cheap alternative to the professional equipment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUjWL0Vl9VY
Ikea also offers enough inexpensive items to be used as the photographer's photo table, for instance. Here, the varnish table is rebuilt in a way that it can carry both the background and the lights, while still leaving a wide opening for the photos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k5vmAGP7vY
Now, if you want to go one step further, this tutorial shows you that two light sources are enough to shoot a seemingly professional commercial. For instance, a person could present the product, as a video review in addition to the product photo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhnNQGFxp00
