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How to photograph products professionally using a mobile phone and the tools required to do so
introduction
In the age of the Internet and e-commerce, professional and attractive product photography has become essential to the success of any project or brand. Pictures are the first thing that catches customers' attention, sparks their interest, and motivates them to buy. But how can you photograph your products in a way that highlights their quality and features and reflects your personality and style?
Some may think that it is necessary to use a professional camera, a dedicated studio, or a professional photographer to get great product photos. But this is not true. With some creativity, skill and simple tools, you can use your mobile phone to photograph products in a professional and stunning way. In this article, we are going to share with you some tips and steps to help you achieve this.
Part one: Choosing the right mobile
For product photography, you don't need a high-end mobile phone or a multi-lens camera. The important thing is that your mobile phone is able to take high-resolution photos (12 megapixels or more) and in good lighting. It is also preferable to have the option to manually control some settings such as exposure, focus, and white.
If your mobile phone is new or of the highest category, it may contain some additional features that make it easier for you to photograph products, such as:
Depth feature or portrait: allows you to highlight the product and blur the background, which gives a professional and attractive effect.
Zoom or zoom feature: It allows you to zoom in on the fine details of the product or diverge from it to show its size or shape.
Wide View or Landscape feature: It allows you to get a wider angle of view, which is useful for shooting large products or batches of products.
Header or dynamic range: allows you to get a good balance between highlights and shadows, which gives true and natural colours.
If your phone does not have these features, don't worry. There are some apps that give you these options and more, such as:
Camera+ 2: A dedicated photography app that gives you full control over manual settings, filters, and effects.
ProCamera: A multi-functional application that allows you to take high-quality photos and videos with a variety of options of zoom, depth, width, and more.
Halide: A simple and easy-to-use app that provides depth, header, exposure control, focus, and white.
Additional tips for choosing the right mobile
Before shooting, make sure that your phone is sufficiently charged and that its memory is clear of unnecessary files.
Before shooting, clean your mobile camera lens with a soft, dry cloth, to avoid any smudges or dust appearing on the photos.
Before shooting, test your mobile settings and different photography apps, to see what works best for you.
Part two: choosing a place and lighting
Location and lighting are two of the most important factors that affect the quality of product photos. Therefore, you should choose a quiet and clean place with a simple and suitable background for the product. You can use a tabletop, shelf or wall as a background. You can also use a piece of cloth, cardboard, or colored paper to add an aesthetic touch.
For lighting, natural lighting is best because it gives true colors and soft shadows. Therefore, try to photograph products in the morning or before sunset near a window or balcony. If you can't, try using soft, diffused artificial lighting, such as LED lights or table lamps. Avoid using mobile flash or strong or direct lighting because it causes harsh reflections and shadows.
Additional tips for choosing a place and lighting
Choose a location that matches the type of product and the target group. For example, if your product is a cosmetic, you might prefer a simple background and muted colors. If your product is a children's toy, you may prefer to use a colorful background and bright colors.
Choose lighting that matches the atmosphere of the product and the message you want to deliver. For example, if your product is a candle or a lamp, you may prefer to use warm, romantic lighting. If your product is a watch or a speaker, you may prefer to use cool and modern lighting.
Choose the shooting time according to the type of lighting you want. For example, if you want soft, natural lighting, you might prefer shooting early in the morning or before sunset. If you want strong natural light, you may prefer shooting in the middle of the day.
Make sure that the light sources are behind or to the side of you, not in front of you, to avoid reflections on the product or background shadows.
Part Three: Choosing the angle and focus
When photographing products, you should try to show their details and features clearly and attractively. Therefore, you should choose an angle that matches the shape and size of the product. In general, it is preferable to photograph products from the front, from the top, or from the side, so that they are level with the horizon line. You can also experiment with different angles to add motion and dynamism to the image.
In addition, you must accurately adjust the focus on the product, so that it appears clearly and is not distorted. You can use the manual focus feature on your phone or press the screen on the area you want to focus. You can also use the depth or portrait feature, if it is available on your mobile phone, to highlight the product and blur the background.
Additional tips for angle selection and focus
Choose an angle that gives an impression of the true size and shape of the product, and does not cause distortions or distortions in perspective. For example, if your product is a book or a disc, you might prefer to shoot it from the top or from the front. If your product is a T-shirt or a shoe, you may prefer to photograph it from the side or from an oblique angle.
Choose an angle that shows important details and features of the product, and does not hide or cover them. For example, if your product is a watch or a headset, you might prefer to zoom in on the logo, buttons, or indicators. If your product is a bag or purse, you may prefer to show the zipper, buttons, or pockets.
Choose an angle that expresses a specific message or story of the product, not just a flat or boring image. For example, if your product is a camera or a bicycle, you may prefer to photograph He sees it in an outdoor or adventurous scene. If your product is coffee or tea, you may prefer to shoot it in a warm or calm scene.
Part Four: Choosing the arrangement and accessories
To make product images more attractive and lively, you can use some arrangements and accessories that give an artistic and personal touch to the image. For example, you can place the product in a real or simulated scene, such as a room, kitchen, or garden, to show how it will be used or useful. You can also add some elements related to the product, season, or occasion, such as flowers, fruits, tools, or gifts, to enrich the image and highlight the quality of the product.
Additional tips for choosing arrangement and accessories
Choose an arrangement and accessories that match the type of product and the target group. For example, if your product is cosmetics, you might prefer soft and feminine accessories, such as roses, pearls, or a mirror. If your product is a children's toy, you may prefer to use fun and colorful accessories, such as balloons, dolls or games.
Choose an arrangement and accessories that give the impression of life and movement to the product, and do not make it static or dead. For example, if your product is a cake or chocolate, you may prefer to show some pieces cut, covered in sauce, or decorated with pistachios. But if your product is a headphone or a speaker, you may prefer to show some different sounds or light effects.
Choose an arrangement and accessories that show the value and quality of the product, and don't diminish or distort it. For example, if your product is a watch or glasses, you may prefer to use luxurious and elegant materials, such as leather, gold, or glass. But if your product is a shirt or shoes, you may prefer to use clean and tidy materials, such as cotton, jeans or leather.
Part V: Modification selection and treatment
After taking product photos, you may need some adjustments and manipulations to improve their quality and show them in the best way. You can use some photo editing apps on your mobile phone, such as Snapseed, Lightroom, or VSCO. These apps allow you to control some settings like brightness, contrast, sharpness, colors, and filters. Try to use these applications with caution and do not over-modify, the goal is to show the product natural and real.
Additional Tips for Modification and Processing Selection
Before editing, choose a high quality photo with good lighting, this will make it easier for you to process and will preserve the image quality.
Before editing, save a copy of the original image, as this will allow you to refer to it in case you want to change or compare.
Before modifying, choose an application that suits your needs and level, as there are different applications in terms of ease, flexibility, and options.
While editing, start by adjusting basic settings like brightness, contrast, and sharpness, then move on to advanced settings like colors, filters, and effects.
During the adjustment, maintain a balance between lighting and shadows, as this will give depth and realism to the image.
While editing, keep the colors and filters consistent, as this will give an identity and style to the image.
During the modification, maintain the naturalness and realness of the product, as this will give confidence and credibility to the image.
Conclusion
In this article, we have provided you with some tips and steps to professionally photograph products using your mobile phone and some simple and readily available tools. We hope you will benefit from this article and apply it to your products.
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