Product photography: tips for the perfect end result

Professional product photography is essential to portraying your products in the best possible way. Whether you shoot with a camera or your cell phone, the right use of settings and techniques makes a world of difference. Below are helpful tips and guidelines for taking stunning product photos.

Settings for Your Camera

General

You can photograph with a compact camera, but you can also take the most beautiful photos in the MagicBOX with an SLR camera.

We ourselves have very good experiences with the compact camera Panasonic Lumix DC-G90 with a 12-60mm lens, a compact camera with which you can also take videos.

This camera is also equipped with a Wi-Fi function, handy to transfer your photos to your mobile or desktop right away. This camera also has a 180° tilting screen, which is useful if you want to photograph with your hands in the MagicBOX above the product.

Be sure not to leave your camera in automatic mode. For optimal results, we recommend the M or P mode. In P mode, the camera controls most settings automatically, while you have the freedom to make adjustments.

White balance

The automatic white balance (AWB) is normally set to automatic but because the MagicBOX is equipped with LED lighting, the photo camera can register this as blue/gray light.
Adjust the AWB to “shadow” or “daylight” for true-to-life color reproduction.
Check which type of light suits you best

Exposure

Often your product is underexposed/too dark because the MagicBOX has an illuminated surface and back. Check the exposure with the +/- button on your camera (square symbol). This setting helps correct under- and over-exposure and ensures that your product is clearly visible.

Light measurement

Experiment with the different light measurement methods (multi-field, center-focused, spot) to get the best results.

Macro function

For close-ups, it is advisable to use the macro mode (tulip symbol). This helps focus on small details of your product.

Photographing with a Mobile Phone

Modern smartphones have powerful cameras and many editing apps, such as the free app Pixlr. It allows you to easily crop photos and add information, such as item numbers and logos.

One of the advantages of photographing with a cell phone is that it is accessible to everyone. You don’t need extensive knowledge of photography, so almost anyone can take great pictures.

Cell phone photography tips

Since the MagicBOX gives a lot of light and your mobile phone is set to “normal” use, you can take the perfect picture with your mobile phone with some small adjustments. With a number of phones this is very easy:

Tap the product on the screen to focus and a sun will appear, you can use this to whiten the background by sliding up and down. If your phone does not have this function automatically, you can change the exposure (EV value) in the camera menu.

General Advice for Product Photography

1. Format Setting: Already create the photos in the format you need for your website. This will save time in editing.
2. Use a Tripod: This ensures a stable image and consistency in your photos. Make sure the tripod is at the same height for unity.
3. Take the Product Big Picture.: This improves the color and light reproduction of your photos.

Instructional Videos and More Information

For more tips and detailed instructions, check out our instructional videos on our YouTube channel. Here you will find practical tutorials that make taking professional product photos even easier.

With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating impressive product photos that grab your customers’ attention. Get started today and discover the difference good product photography can make!