A fellow seller on Etsy asked me for advice on taking good product photos. This topic has been written up in the forum there a hundred times before, but I took the time to write up my own personal response. Rather than share it with just one person I wanted to share it with all my fellow Etsians, so here is my own response to the “got any photo tips” question…
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The most important thing to know is that it is all about the light. Short of setting up some kind of a “soft box”, your best friend is a bright but cloudy day. (A soft box is typically made up of white translucent fabric that diffused the light source.) The clouds act as a giant diffuser, creating a more soft light with little or not shadows. With the light coming from all around there will be few shadows under/behind your subject. Using light from the side, instead of straight on, brings out more depth and texture from the subject. Don’t use the camera’s on-board flash. The direct light makes things look flat and causes highlight reflections. Daylight through a large window is often soft, and comes in from the side, so when shooting indoors try shooting next to window but out of direct sunlight.
Use a simple background, maybe even a solid color, so that it doesn’t detract from the main subject. A large white foam-board from an office store might work well, or maybe a large stone or a brick wall… You’re selling an object, a creation, not the scenery.
Be sure the photos you use are sharp, meaning that the subject is in good focus. If you’re having a hard time getting sharp photos try using a tripod or resting your camera on a chair, stack of books, stone wall, etc. Also try using the camera’s timer mode so that you’re not accidentally moving the camera as you press the shutter button. Use the camera’s optical zoom (never “digital zoom”) to get close instead of placing the camera closer. The closer the lens is to the subject the narrower the “depth of field”, or the range of the scene that will be in focus.
Lastly, do a little post-processing. Straighten and crop the photo so it’s more appealing. Try your software’s “auto” correction, and don’t be afraid to undo it. You may even try adjusting color, contrast, or noise reduction. Don’t over-do it, you’re only trying to compensate for the camera’s poor judgement.
So… good soft light, no reflections, no distracting backgrounds, a good sharp focus, and an appealing composition. Sound simple? With a little practice it will be. Hope that helps, and happy selling!
-Josh M