What’s better when taking product photos, Studio lighting with complete control or natural lighting that is free and readily available? In this article, we will discuss the pros and cons of both natural and studio lighting when taking product photos to sell on lifestyle marketplaces like Poshmark and Pinterest and social networks like Instagram.
A critical part of taking product photos for selling on marketplaces and social networks is your productivity. Social media photography is more important than ever and if you can’t get your products listed fast and efficiently, it’s not going to matter how great your photos are. This article is meant for sellers, not photographers. You need to automate your processes so you can get your products listed as quickly as possible.
Let’s start with natural light– if you’re just getting started with product photography, you likely don’t have any studio lighting and just want to get started selling. Taking action is the most important thing here, so you’re on the right track.It’s more important to start selling than it is to have the perfect photograph.That being said, there are some important aspects of natural lighting in product photos that you want to be aware of:
Location:you want to find a bright spot, near a window that gets as much indirect sun as possible during the day. Indirect sun is going to cause fewer shadows and glare for your photos.
Diffuse: Did I mention indirect sunlight? Good. Another way to eliminate glare and shadows is to use a Diffuser on that sunny window. You can buy a diffuser for as little as $20 to cover that window, or you can use a white sheet or tablecloth to get a similar effect. The key is to keep the brightness, but soften it enough to eliminate glare and as many shadows as possible.
Reflect: Tame the shadows with a reflector. This can be as simple as a white foam board, or you can purchase a reflector for around $20. Experiment with reflecting the light by shifting location and distance from your product. This will vary by time of day and intensity of the sunlight.
Time of day: track how the sun moves at different times of the day to come up with a timeframe for taking your photos. You’re looking for a period with as much light as possible. As the sun moves throughout the day, your photos are going to look different. Experiment to find the best time of day to snap your pics
Overcast is OK: Think an overcast day is going to ruin your photo session? Think again. Bright but overcast weather can work great to diffuse the sun and give you some great results. Scattered clouds can cause shadows and problems, but solid overcast can work to your benefit.
Pros and Cons of Natural Light:
Pros:
- No Cost
- Readily available
- Start NOW – get selling
Cons:
- Unpredictable
- Time sensitive
- May take more work to eliminate glare and shadows in your photo
Studio Lighting
Let’s move on to studio lighting. What used to be expensive lighting product and staging equipment is now readily available at much lower price points. For around $100, you can buy a light kit with lights and diffusers or a light box for smaller products.
The biggest advantage of Studio Lighting over Natural Lighting is control. You’ll have an easier time controlling shadows and glare and of course, you’ll be able to take photos anytime, day or night.
What equipment do you need?
Look at the products you are selling and match up a studio lighting setup. Smaller items like handbags, shoes or collectibles work great with a lightbox like this one:
The lightbox allows you to take very well light photos with a minimum of shadows and glare.
For larger items or clothing that needs to be modeled, you’ll need something larger:
I would suggest that you set up your studio someplace with as LITTLE natural light as possible. Fighting with glare and shadows from a window or skylight can be a challenge.
Whatever method you choose, remember the key is to just start and take action. Don’t worry about taking perfect photos – your technique will improve over time, as you post and sell your items. Taking action and automating the photo process as much as possible is priority one.
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