Navigating Common Pitfalls in DIY Product Photography
In the dynamic landscape of entrepreneurship and branding, there's a compelling draw to handle things on your own. After all, there's a distinct thrill in shaping your narrative and imagery. Today, we're here to shed light on some prevalent pitfalls that individuals often encounter when embarking on the DIY path for product photography.
Pitfall 1: Inadequate Lighting
In the world of photography, good lighting is the bedrock. One common blunder I often observe is insufficient or incorrect lighting. This can lead to lackluster images that fail to capture your product's essence. Mastering lighting is perhaps the simplest yet most effective way to enhance your images. You don't necessarily need extravagant lighting equipment; understanding how light interacts with your subject and making the best use of available light can significantly elevate your photography.
Pitfall 2: Lack of Planning
While spontaneity has its charm, in photography, most beautiful images don’t just come together in the moment, they are meticulously planned. For my shoots I often create moodboards and sketches of the styled images well before I shoot them. This will help me plan the colours props and lighting I want to use and make sure I gather/ prepare all the elements I need prior to shoot day. You don’t necessarily need to go to this length, but I do encourage you to dedicate time to envision the images you want to create prior to the shoot, it will save you time and make everything come together more cohesively on the say of the shoot.
Pitfall 3: Incorrect perspective
When shooting, make sure that you are holding your phone parallel to the product. Avoid tilting the phone forward - which can be tempting because we want to see the back of our phone. Make sure that you hold your phone nice and straight and pull your body back so that you can see the viewfinder. Also try to align the phone lens with the center of the object you are shooting. It can be tricky - particularly if the object you are photographing is sitting on a table, . Because the camera lenses are at the top of the phone, and the bottom of the phone will bump into the table and prevent you from getting lower. To get around this, try turning your phone upside down. This will allow you to drop your phone lens lower and better align your phone's lens with the center of your object.
Pitfall 4: Neglecting Editing
The art of post-processing is a game-changer. This is where you fine-tune lighting, colors, and details to make your product stand out. Ignoring post-processing can result in images that lack the professional polish you're aiming for. Even basic edits using free tools can make a significant difference in your final output.
By recognizing and sidestepping these common stumbling blocks, you're well on your way to creating captivating imagery that showcases your brand's distinctive identity.