Learning How to Shoot Product Photography
At a photography retreat at Sky Mountain Lodge located in Victor, Idaho, I got to learn how to shoot product photography. This was something new for me, but I actually really enjoyed it. I also learned that it can be easy to shoot product photography around the home.
CUTTING BOARD IN THE KITCHEN
We were taking pictures of these fruit with a light to the right. I wanted to do something a little different and found the orange juicer in the drawer. Just adding props that you find around the house can add a lot to your photography by adding new textures. I love the natural shine on the fruit compared to the industrial shine off of the metal.
SUSPENDED WHITE PLEXIGLASS
Placing a white piece of plexiglass, which you can buy for really cheap, over two boxes can create a make-shift light table right at home. For this shot I had a speed light underneath, another to the side and one behind. The light behind reflects though the bottle of IBC Root Beer, making that beautiful red color.
DRAPED BLACK CLOTH
Just a black cloth draped over a book can help you set up a floating product shot.
Stephen Funk Photography has some amazing product photography with solid backgrounds and beautiful lighting.
FARMHOUSE STYLE USING PAINTED 2x4s
This background was made by attaching 2×4 boards together and then painting them white. I then placed the bowl of eggs and cloth at the very end of the boards and then shot along them. At first I was shooting straight along them, and then I realized that it would look better if the lines of the boards came down at an angle.
I love the monochromatic look of this image with the whites and the steel-blue. It also transitions nicely into black and white because of the differences of value and texture.
For more great examples of home product photography, check out Philippine Product Photographer, Louie Aguinaldo’s work.
