Good product photography is integral to the success of your e-commerce business. Over 75% of customers agree that product images influence their purchasing decisions, according to a recent study by Weebly. That is because photos give customers a feel of the product they’re about to purchase, as they can’t hold it in person. A paper by eBay Research Labs also found that it’s essential that the image quality be as crisp as possible, as customers see it as visual proof of the quality of the actual item.
Apart from managing feedback to improve your product, you should also pay attention to how it’s presented online. Here are ways to up your product photography game.
Keep It Simple
As tempting as it is to take creative photos to catch your audience’s attention, the result may end up confusing your audience. More than 20% of customers return items because it looked different than they did in their photos. As such, you want to focus on the product and the product alone. Use a white backdrop, which most e-commerce platforms recommend.
If you want to add a touch of color, use a neutral tone so that it doesn’t distract your customers from the items. A simple sheet of white paper taped to a wall should be enough for small pieces. If you have models, you may need to buy a professional-grade backdrop in white. Plus, you can always edit the background in post.
All in the Angles
eBay Research Labs’ report also showed that customers like seeing multiple photos of the same product from different angles. Those with at least two photos had double the conversion rate of listings that only contained one picture. That is because it helps them visualize the item on them or in their home. Show at least the front, side, and back of your item. Make your images zoomable as well so customers can see the fine details on it.
Invest in Proper Equipment
Speaking of fine details, you need a professional camera to capture them on your product. While smartphones have snappers that take decent pictures, they’re not on par with a DSLR when it comes to options. Once you have your camera, it’s time to learn how to take pictures in manual mode. That means you control the way your device shoots in light. Here are some guidelines when shooting in this mode.
Read the Light Meter – Your camera should have a light meter, which displays numbers from -3 or -2 to +3 or +2. If it’s on the negative side, the image will be underexposed or too dark. If it’s on the positive side, the picture will look too bright. Your goal is to adjust the three settings: ISO, shutter speed, and aperture to keep the value smack dab on 0.
ISO – This controls the sensitivity of the camera sensor to light. The lower the value, the less sensitive it is. High ISOs, with values of 800 and above, show more light in dark environments, but they also add more grain. Low ISOs, on the other hand, show less grain but are best reserved for well-lit environments. You want to have good natural lighting and studio lights so you can set your ISO as low as possible.
Aperture – This controls how much light passes through your camera lens. The lower the value, the more light you let in. It also puts more of the frame in focus. You want the value to be as high as possible, around F16 so that the camera only focuses on your item.
Shutter Speed – This controls how fast the camera shutter closes. It is the last thing you’ll modify in your settings since your ISO and aperture values are already set. Just adjust it until your light meter reads 0.
Don’t be afraid to noodle around with the settings as well to get your desired outcome. Just remember that you want to show as much of your product as you can. As such, you’re looking for maximum detail and brightness that doesn’t strain the eyes.
Product photography is the backbone of any e-commerce business, whether you sell on your own site or use online marketplaces. Use these suggestions to improve your pictures. When your customers can visualize themselves using your product, they’ll be more confident to take it to checkout.