Product Photography: Why you Need to Invest in Best Lighting

If you are into product photography, there are a few gears you need in your arsenal to take a great shot, one of which is a good light source and probably a white foam board for allowing the light to reflect light back to the product.

In this short guide, we are going to show you why you need to invest in good lighting if you want to succeed in product photography.

What is continuous lighting?

Since you are photographing a product, you don’t need four sets of lights from all angles. What you need is continuous lighting or strobe lighting.

As the name suggests, continuous lighting is a type of light that stays on continuously until you physically turn it off, unlike strobe lighting which is synced with your camera and will turn on once you press the button to take a shot.

What is strobe lighting?

A strobe light is not continuous and is used to produce controlled sources of light. Moreover, strobes produce brighter light like on-camera flash.

If you want to get far in product photography, you need to get some strobes

Benefits of good lighting in product photography

Lighting is the magic to excellent product photography. The result of your work will be massively determined by the intensity, location, diffusion, and quality of the lighting more than the lens of the camera.

Good lighting increases the probability of taking better photos and allows the photographer to assert his or her creativity.

Here is why you should invest in a good light if you want to be successful in product photography.

Shadow control

Depending on how the product photo will be used, you may be asked to experiment with different kinds of shadows.

The good news is, with a good lighting source, the sky is the limit when it comes to creating some natural product shadows.

Reflection control

Sometimes you will get to shoot highly reflective products. During the shot, the front lights may create unwanted reflection, and that is when you need a top light to offer reflection control.

Brings out depth, contrast, and texture

A great light source will bring out texture in any particular product while giving it depth and contrast.

Moreover, the light can also be used to create a certain mood or add dramatic effects. When used correctly a good light source can make your product look amazing.

Whether you are just trying to take your creative shots to the next level or shooting for an e-commerce platform, a good light can help communicate the product texture, contrast, and depth.

Control how your images look

A studio light source offers complete creative control to the photographer. You decide where the light is coming from, its intensity, and even its shape.

Moreover, you can use diffusers to change the color or harshness of the light.

Final thoughts

Are you a product photographer or thinking of venturing into product photography? Read our ultimate guide to product photography here, including the best camera to use, tripod to choose from, and background among others.