This is how everyone gets professional product photos

High-quality product images are crucial for the success of sales and marketing activities, as they significantly influence the purchase decision.

Especially in e-commerce, where products with professional images and more choice of product content have significantly higher conversion rates.

There is a wealth of material on this topic on the Internet, Shopify, for example, provides tips here and proves with its data that their customers want a third more photos of products and 60% want a 360 degree view.

In addition, there are examples where virtual shopping achieves success with Conversion rate improvements of up to 40%.

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So how do you get professional product images and above-average content for your products?

Here you can find out the usual tips and techniques - and at the end a particularly simple solution which stands out from professional product photography.

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An introduction to the basic concepts and techniques of product photography

Product photography is a specialized form of photography that aims to present products in an appealing and detailed way. The following concepts and techniques are essential for professional results:

• lighting: The right lighting is critical to minimizing shadows and highlighting the details of the product. Common lighting techniques include the use of soft boxes, diffusers and reflectors.
• background: A neutral background does not distract from the product and makes it possible to concentrate on the essentials. White or gray backgrounds are often popular, but other colors or textures may be used depending on the product.
• Perspective and Composition: The choice of perspective and the composition of the image influence the effect of the product on the viewer. Experiment with different angles to create interesting and appealing images.
  But keep in mind: Of the 4 to 5 product images that every product requires, at least one should be a hero shot that only focuses on the product itself.
• Post-processing: Editing images is an important step to make color corrections, adjust contrasts, and remove impurities. Programs such as Adobe Photoshop or Lightroom are popular tools for image editing.

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The right equipment for high-quality product images

The right equipment is crucial for creating high-quality product images. Here are the key components:

• camera: A DSLR camera or a mirrorless camera with high resolution and manual adjustment options is ideal for product photography. Popular models include the Canon EOS series or the Sony Alpha series.
• Objectives: For product photography, normal lenses (e.g. 50mm) or macro lenses are particularly suitable for capturing details sharply and precisely. They allow tight focusing and minimize distortion.
• lighting: Balanced lighting is crucial for professional product images. Softboxes, studio flashes, or LED panels can be used to evenly illuminate the product and minimize shadows.
• Tripod: A sturdy stand is essential to prevent shaking and ensure a consistent perspective. A macro stand is particularly recommended for close-ups and macro photography.
• Backgrounds and props: Different backgrounds, such as paper rolls in different colors or wooden panels, can be used for different effects. Props such as decorative elements or holders can also be helpful to present the product in an appealing way.

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The importance of light and lighting techniques in product photography

Light is at the heart of every photograph, and it plays a particularly important role in product photography. Here are some do's and don'ts when it comes to light and lighting:

Do's:

• Use natural light: Natural light can create wonderfully soft shadows and illuminate the product naturally. It's best to shoot near a window or outdoors to benefit from diffuse lighting conditions.
• Using softboxes or diffusers: To avoid harsh shadows, use softboxes or diffusers to distribute light evenly and create smoother transitions between light and shadow.
• Multiple lighting: Use multiple light sources to illuminate the product from different sides and bring out details optimally. This can help minimize unwanted shadows and add depth to the product.

Dont's:

• Use direct flash: Direct flash can create harsh shadows and make the product look unnatural. Avoid flashing the flash directly at the product, but use indirect flash or other lighting techniques.
• Excessive lighting: Too much light can cause the product to be overexposed and important details to be lost. Make sure to adjust the lighting so that the product is evenly illuminated but does not look overshining.
• Inconsistent lighting conditions: Avoid mixing light sources with different color temperatures, as this can result in unwanted color stitches. Make sure all light sources are at the same color temperature to ensure consistent lighting.

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Backgrounds and sets in professional product photography

The selection of a suitable background and the design of a set play a decisive role in optimally showcasing products. The background should complement the product without distracting from it. Neutral backgrounds such as white or gray are popular because they bring the product to the foreground and draw attention to it. Depending on the product and the desired atmosphere, however, other backgrounds, such as wood, fabric or special photo wallpapers, can also be used.

A set can help to present the product in a specific context and to convey the desired mood. By specifically placing props, such as decorative elements or matching accessories, the product can appear more lively and its possible uses can be illustrated. However, it is important to ensure that the product is not overlaid by the props, but remains the focus.

It is important that the set and background can be easily adapted to different products and styles. A modular set that can be redesigned quickly offers the flexibility to effectively present different types of products without having to build a completely new set each time. By choosing a suitable background and designing the set accordingly, you can optimally showcase your products and increase their appeal to potential customers.

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Post-processing and image processing for professional product images

The post-processing of product images plays a crucial role in achieving excellent results. Through targeted image processing, colors can be corrected, contrasts adjusted and details can be optimized. The cost of post-processing often depends on the source material and the requirements of the project. Here are some important aspects of image editing for professional product images:

• Color corrections: The colors of a product should be reproduced realistically and accurately. By adjusting hue, saturation, and brightness, color deviations can be corrected and a consistent color palette can be achieved.
• Retouch: Imperfections or dust on the product can be annoying and impair the quality of the image. With the help of retouching techniques, such irregularities can be removed and the product image can be optimized.
• Exempt: It is often necessary to release the product from its background in order to be able to use it flexibly in different contexts. This process requires precise selection and can require different levels of effort depending on the complexity of the product and its environment.
• Improve details: Fine details of a product can be accentuated through targeted sharpening or texture enhancement to maximize visual impact.

With jewelry, for example, it is particularly important: Even with high-quality product photos, small scratches or fingerprints may be visible on the pieces of jewelry. Through professional image processing, these irregularities can be removed and the end result can be perfected.

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5 essential tips for professional product photos:

1. Control reflections: Use polarizing filters to reduce unwanted reflections on product surfaces and improve image clarity.
2. Diversify your perspective: Experiment with different shooting angles to present the product from interesting and unusual angles and capture the viewer's attention.
3. Focus on details: Use a high aperture setting (such as f/8 or higher) to ensure that all important details of the product are sharp and clearly visible.
4. Create natural shadows: Place the product near a light source to create natural shadows and add depth and dimension.
5. Optimize image composition: Maintain a balanced image composition by positioning the product in the golden ratio or using the rule of thirds to make the image more visually appealing.

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The alternative to product photography: 3D visualization

3D visualization is an innovative and increasingly popular alternative to traditional product photography.

With 3D rendering technologies, it is now possible to generate photorealistic and professional product images without actually photographing physical products.

By using 3D modeling software, products can be digitally created and placed in various environments to generate realistic images.

This offers numerous advantages over conventional photographic methods and opens up new opportunities for product presentation.

You can read how this works here: Professional and photorealistic product images with 3D visualization.

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Benefits of 3D visualization for professional product photos:

Flexibility: Products can be easily customized and presented in various colors, sizes, and variations without the need for separate photo shoots.

• Cost efficiency: Creating digital product images is often less expensive than photographing physical products, especially when it comes to large product ranges or regular updates.
• Creative freedom: With 3D visualization, there are no limits to creativity. Products can be placed and showcased in virtual environments that would be difficult or impossible to implement with conventional photography.
• Consistency: By using 3D models, consistent and high-quality product images can be created, regardless of lighting conditions or physical limitations during photography.

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Conclusion: Professional product images for online success

Product photos are crucial in e-commerce. Products can be presented optimally using basic techniques such as lighting, background selection and image processing.

Innovative approaches such as 3D visualization, on the other hand, open up completely new possibilities, offer more flexibility, less effort and new content formats.

However, one thing is clear: Good and high-quality products require professional images, and lots of them at that.

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