product photography, macrophotography tips samples how to photograph products close-up pictures

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all photos and content copyright Paul Smyres 1999-2003
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Photographing merchandise
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Virtually all tangible products require a good picture in order to sell online or through the mail.
The idea is to display a product's best features to their best advantage.
However, you must create a genuine representation or customers may be very disappointed.
An enormous amount of money and time goes into photographing merchandise.
Follow this series of pages to learn how it's done. Scroll down the pages
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Living Pictures Photography Portrait photography tips More merchandise photography How to photograph merchandise click on the samples for a larger view ----- scroll down to see more Before photographing a product, you should spend time thinking about how you want to present it. What kind of emotional response do you want to get from a prospective buyer? Beyond that, you need to consider the following: Item's size, texture, and surface material. Reflective surfaces must be carefully lit. Do you need to capture small details? Will any other items be in the photo, such as related products or props ? What color background is appropriate?
Setting The atmosphere surrounding a product is often very important. In many cases, it's what triggers a sale. That's why a lot of effort is put into creating a "set", or even expensive location shoots. Roll the mouse over the photo for more tips.


"Catolog shots" in many cases, all you need is a simple photo. The product, alone, with good lighting. Bounced lighting and a neutral background.

Close ups sometimes details are very important. In that case you usually need a lens extender or bellows for extreme close-ups. Soft lighting, sometimes at a sharp, or low angle, is best.

Grouping, and associated products makes the image stronger.

Packaging there's a whole science to it and a package often sells the item. However, a good photograph is necessary to sell the "package".
	Photo note-cards for sale
Communicating value expensive items must be carefully photographed to show their true worth. Often it's best to have a high contrast ratio. Some customers have poor eyesight, or they look at the advertisement in poor lighting conditions.


Large items if an item is large, or part of a set, it's better to have 2 or more photos. Some should display details.

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page added December 16, 2003