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JTA's
tips for product photography
| Background/backdrop
tips |
- Use a uniform bright white background.
A cheap, easy solution is a piece of poster board from your local craft store, or
even Wal*Mart. For best results, use something that is non reflective.
- Set the background on a flat surface with
a wall behind it (like a countertop or desk) and make the background curve from the
flat surface to the wall. Tape it down if necessary. This give a nice, seamless backdrop
from the surface up to the back.
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| Image placement tips |
- Place images toward the front of your backdrop, this will help cut down on shadowing.
- If possible, raise the images up on a
clear piece of plastic. This will help with shadowing around the feet. You can usually
find a good piece of plastic to use as a pedestal in one of your collectibles packaging.
The best I've found is the little insert that comes with the collectible Target cups,
but any will do.
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| Lighting tips |
- The more lights the better. Optimally,
you would have at least 3 lights, one at the top, and one on the front left and front
right. Usually regular desk lamps work just find, so you can usually find any lights
you need around the house. The brighter the better. Use the same wattage bulbs on
all of them to give equal lighting. Also, use the same type/brand of bulbs to give
uniform lighting. The GE Reveal bulbs
work great.
- Avoid, if possible, using a flash. A flash
will cause heavy shadows against your backdrop. For best results, use a tripod and
turn the flash off so the camera automatically adjusts it's light settings to compensate
for the lack of flash. Most digital cameras will have manual settings available where
you can let the camera adjust for shutter speed.
- If your camera has a white balance setting,
you might want to try switching this to the incandescent setting. This will help
make your picture come out more true color when using incandescent light bulbs instead
of using a flash.
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| Camera tips |
- Use a tripod. This will keep images in
focus much better than holding the camera. This will also insure that each angle
you photograph will stay consistent.
- If your camera has an aperture setting,
set the aperture value very low (high number). This will give the image a sharper
focus throughout the items depth of field. This is particularly important when it
comes to 'deep' items, such as vehicles and playsets. If your camera has an AP mode
(aperture priority), then set the aperture somewhere between 18-22. The camera
will automatically adjust the speed to match the lighting.
- Get close to your target instead of zooming
in. A lens will take a better quality picture close up rather than zoomed in. Once
you get close, zoom out as needed.
- If you have a shutter remote for your
camera, then use it! It will insure that your camera stays steady while you snap
your picture.
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| Tips for photographing small accessories |
- Use a scanner set on a high resolution.
- Or, use a piece of glass set on it's side (such as a glass shelf, bowl, Plexiglass, plastic packing, etc) and either lean the accessory against the glass so it stands vertically, or use poster puddy and stick the accessory to the glass. Then, when you take the picture you will have no shadowing.
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| Do not take all of
your photographs right away. Trial and error with one item until you find the settings
that work best. Then, make sure you send the image to us for approval. Once we give
you the green light, then you can start all of your picture taking. Remember, your
photo doesn't need to have a perfectly uniform white background, it only needs to
be close. The important part is the item itself. We will take care of the rest! |
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Want to learn
even more about product photography? Here's a few links that expand with more details
on what I've covered, and will help your images turn out even better!
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