In Part 1 of this post, I shared some setup and placement tips. Today, we’ll talk cameras and Photoshop.
5) Make the most of your camera. Even dinky point-and-shoots like mine have variable settings. First off, ditch the flash; you don’t want ugly bright spots or harsh shadows in your shot, do you? Next, learn to use your white balance and ISO settings. Get the color as close to “real life” as you can, and produce the sharpest photo possible given your lighting environment. Finally, use the macro mode for very small items (I use it when photographing anything smaller than my fist). It’ll help you capture even the smallest details. If you don’t have a steady hand, you’ll need to use a mini tripod when shooting in macro mode.
This pin made by Feisty Elle was shot in macro mode, so the texture of the fabrics is apparent.
6) Take lots of pictures. When shooting with a digital camera, there’s no reason not to. The one snap you think is perfect may, in fact, be no good at all, so why take chances? Going back and repeating the setup is frustrating, so take tons on shots before you head to your computer and start editing.
7) Use what you know. As a designer, you’re probably pretty comfortable with Photoshop. Don’t be afraid to use it. If your white balance wasn’t right, adjust the Color Balance. If you need to brighten up a white background, head to the Curves dialog. Need to show the product in three colors? Use the Color Replacement tool. During your shoot, try to get the best shots—avoid thinking, “Oh, I’ll take that out in Photoshop later”—but if you do end up with some iffy images that could use a little correction, go for it.
Professional product photography is no simple task, and a little posterboard and Photoshop is, by no means, an adequate substitute. But that doesn’t change the fact that some clients will need a few shots here and there. Try these tips, and see if you can’t make your clients (and their budgets) happy. It can’t hurt your eBay auctions either.
