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Pro Product Photography Techniques Using Your Smartphone

22nd July 2024
10 mins

Consider using a smartphone if you're looking for an economical method to take photos of your product for websites, social media platforms, or any purposes. Perform product photography and content creation for eCommerce using Dresma solutions.



Dresma offers mobile app, and web app solutions for ecommerce businesses to enhance their product listings. By using them, you become a part of over 50,000 brands who have trust on Dresma for high quality product photos with white background images, lifestyle shots, infographics, enhanced brand content, and more.

The mobile app “DoMyShoot” is free for download on Android and IOS. With the app, sellers can showcase products with high-quality white background and lifestyle settings, without the need for traditional photoshoot setups and props. The app’s AI algorithms recommend optimal photo angles based on product categories, showcasing important features to boost online conversions.

Dresma’s web app by the name of “Design Studio” provides customizable graphic design and professional assistance to enhance eCommerce businesses. By using the web app, sellers can aim to transform site visitors into customers.

This AI-powered image editing app has become game-changer for many brands, especially for businesses utilizing smartphones. The app harnesses the power of artificial intelligence to enhance image quality, streamline workflows, and reduce turnaround times (TAT) drastically.

Nowadays, most smartphones are equipped with advanced cameras. The latest versions boast higher megapixels and enhanced image sensors, and many feature multiple lenses instead of just one.

However, without high-end mobile phones, you may have quality product images by using “DoMyShoot” mobile app. It has a smart camera to assist sellers with guided photoshoots, and to capture visually appealing images. The app analyzes the products automatically and recommends right angles to highlight core features of the product.

How to Take Good Product Photos from Your Smartphone?

Product photography is useful for online stores, web-based businesses, social media platforms, and marketplace presence.

In practicality, using smartphone as the primary tool for shooting professional product photos is possible and advisable with the right approach. However, considering that a smartphone camera is much smaller and has fewer features than other professional cameras, such as DSLR or mirrorless cameras, for professional-quality photographs you need to have the right approach.

Choosing the Smartphone, and Related Accessories

Product photography requires an advanced phone with a camera. Despite not having a good camera, you may have high quality images by using DoMyShoot mobile app. You don’t need to have the latest devices with excellent camera functionality. Just, ensure your mobile phone has enough internal memory to accommodate high-quality pictures.

For product photos, you need some accessories also.

Tripod

how to use tripod for product photography?


Invest in a stand for your smartphone to ensure stability and precision. A steady setup ensures the clarity and quality of your photos. Additionally, consider using a remote shutter or activating the self-timer to reduce camera shake, particularly when capturing images.

Remote Wireless Control

how to use remote wireless control for product photography?


Even minor movements significantly degrade the clarity and detail of your photograph, potentially obscuring essential features of the subject. Blurred images result from camera movement at the moment a photo is taken. When you touch the screen to capture a picture, you inadvertently jostle the camera during this critical time. Here, any other DIY product photography tips may not work.

We recommend buying wireless remotes, which usually cost less than $10 and offer practical solutions. They connect seamlessly to your smartphone via Bluetooth, minimizing the risk of camera shake.


how to get professional product photography?


Additional Lenses

how to use additional lenses during product photography?

Mobile photography has advanced significantly, paralleled by the growth in auxiliary lens options. Wide-angle lenses are particularly useful, as they can capture larger objects that may not easily fit within the usual photo frame.

Conversely, a macro lens helps showcase a product's fine details or textures. However, it's vital to select a lens that does not alter the item's actual appearance. Moreover, buying additional lenses is optional. You may have similar quality images through DoMyShoot mobile app.

LED Light Panel

how to use LED light panels in product photography?


Natural Light is great for product photography since it is soft, even on the item you photograph. It's advisable to place your setup near a large window so that the light coming in can be used effectively.

If natural light is not available, you can use artificial light. The top category includes light that may be continuous, like LED panels or Softbox lights, where constant lighting is desired.

Purchasing an LED light panel for your smartphone significantly upgrades the quality of your photos and videos by providing uniform, professional-grade lighting, particularly in poorly lit environments. These handy panels are portable and adjustable and enhance the colors and details. They ensure your product photos appear more vivid and clear.

External Battery

how to use external battery for product photography?


Everyone has experienced the inconvenience of a phone battery dying during crucial moments of capturing high-resolution images or videos. For this reason, carrying an external battery is crucial for anyone using a smartphone for product photography.

Phone SD Card Reader

For anyone who is using a smartphone for product photos, an SD card reader is required. A compatible SD card reader enables swift transfers of your photographs directly to your computer for easy sharing.

Preparing Your Product

Remove any labels, stickers, or tags before product photography to ensure that your product is spotless and ready for photography. Center the product on the sweep and fine-tune your lighting or fill cards to reduce any shadows.

Consider propping them up or using a stand for items that cannot stand by themselves. Items like hats or bags should be filled with tissue paper or clothes to give them a fuller appearance.

It is crucial to clean your smartphone lens, as it often collects fingerprints and dust from frequent handling and storage in pockets or bags. If your phone's case is reflective, take it off to prevent lens flare during the shoot. Connect any wireless shutter remote to your smartphone using the standard Bluetooth setup as the manufacturer directs.

Being Ready for Product Photography

Avoid Utilizing Digital Zoom, Flash, and Filters

We recommend you to minimize the use of digital zoom or avoid it altogether as it tends to degrade the quality of your images when using smartphone cameras. Instead, consider moving closer to the object or employing an external zoom or macro lens.

The built-in flash on your mobile device is likely insufficient for achieving desirable results. To enhance illumination, utilize alternative lighting sources. You can set up a reflector card, boost the intensity of artificial lighting, or position yourself nearer to natural light sources like windows.

This is not the occasion for playful experimentation with your camera’s filters. Keep the imagery as true to life as possible to ensure it faithfully represents the product. Make sure to follow these product photography tips.

Make Use of the Camera Setting

how to make camera setting for product photography?


Once your setup is ready, launch your preferred camera application and frame your shot while adjusting the settings accordingly.

Check the settings and enable the highest quality image capture in your app. Choose between JPEG or RAW.

  • RAW captures more detailed image data, which is beneficial for computer post-processing. However, these files are larger and consume more storage space.

  • JPEG is standard and generally suitable for online use and most other applications.

download free product photography app

Additionally, follow these DIY product photography tips.

  1. Activate Grid and Level: Activate these features to help center your product within the frame accurately.
  2. Avoid using Flash: The flash on mobile phones blinks, causing stiff shadows and unfavorable light strength. Use continuous lighting instead. So, avoid using flash for product photography.
  3. Set Right Exposure Setting: Let the camera auto-adjust exposure focused on the right area, or manually drag the exposure button to desired spots. Shutter speed adjustments and exposure compensation can also be used to set manual exposure.
  4. Adjust the Focus: Manually adjust the focus by tapping on the product on your screen and securing it.
  5. Use White Balance: Adjust according to lighting conditions or use Auto White Balance (AWB), which adapts well in most scenarios.
  6. Do ISO Settings: Automatic ISO settings are available, but manual adjustment to keep it below 800 can prevent grainy images.
  7. Opt for Image Stabilization (If Available) : Turn image stabilization during product photography to avoid blurry images.

Capture your photo using a wireless remote or by gently tapping the capture button to minimize movement.

Advantages of Choosing High-Quality Product Photography

what are the advantages of choosing high quality product photography?


Several elements boost sales, with the product itself at the forefront. Whether you choose a professional photographer or decide product photography using DoMyShoot mobile app, the following benefits of product photography are universal:

Captures Customer Interest

You can't physically take potential customers to your store and show them the quality of products. However, you can evoke their sensations through impactful images. Therefore, it's wise to imply that your product resolves any related challenges, a message that can be powerfully delivered through high-quality photos.

Well-executed, appealing photos instantly capture attention, significantly enhancing the likelihood of increased sales.

Enhances Your Brand Image

Images serve as a long-term strategy, solidifying your company’s reputation as a leader in the market. Consistently displaying branded images over time can position your brand as:

  • Professional
  • Valued
  • High-quality
  • Diverse
  • Innovative

This consistency helps customers feel your brand genuinely values their preferences and is dedicated to accommodating their needs.

Encourages Silent Communication

Images convey messages more powerfully than words. This principle is true for brands focused more on action than on verbosity.

People browsing various online platforms need more time and patience to read through all the text or product details. Therefore, it's crucial to highlight all the essential product features, such as available sizes, colors, and other characteristics.

Maintains a Competitive Edge

You may believe your product is unique, but this is only sometimes the case. Countless global products may share similar features. The strategy here is to let your images speak for themselves. Displaying product details and superiority through high-resolution images can set your offerings apart. So following the right product photography tips is important.

Sets Right Expectations

Data shows that approximately 22% of online purchases get returned because the "items look different than the photos." It is generally easier to convince people to purchase in physical stores than online.

Thus, it's recommended that images by ideal product photography be displayed that realistically represent the products without unnecessary filters or effects. Demonstrating exactly what customers are purchasing sets the correct expectations.

Advantages of Smartphone Product Photography

  • Cost-Effective: Product photography does not require opting for high-priced camera equipment.

  • Ease of Use: Smartphone product photography is well-suited for small sellers due to simple and convenient use.

  • Portability: Take photos from anywhere without worrying about carrying bulky equipment.

  • Instant Sharing: You can modify the shape, size, or content of photos and post or repost them instantly on social media or upload images to e-business sites.


Challenges and Limitations of Product Photography with Smartphone

  1. Limited Control: Unlike other types of cameras, smartphones allow less flexibility in achieving desired levels of aperture or shutter speed.
  2. Image Quality: Smartphones often need to catch the details or the objects when the lights are poor or when the object is moving fast compared to professional cameras.
  3. Depth of Field: Even taking photos at small apertures with a low f-stop number so that only a tiny area behind the main subject is in focus is easy with portrait mode or extra lenses.

Common Mistakes with Smartphone Product Photography

Anyone can make mistakes during product photography, significantly affecting the photographs' quality and overall professionalism. A common mistake is lighting, which can often lead to under or over-exposure, heavy shadows, and mean reflections.

Subsequently, utilizing the smartphone's native flash only aggravates these problems and results in edgy and uneven lighting. Other common errors include failure to ensure the camera is steady, thus resulting in blurred images due to shaking. This can be easily rectified or prevented by using a tripod or any other technique for camera stabilization.

Furthermore, wrong background selection, such as messy or complex backgrounds, can overshadow the main product and give the picture an amateur appearance. Here, it is important to note, you must use a clutter-free background (we recommend using white background).

product photography mobile app


Another common mistake that can lead to hazy or blurry images is neglecting to clean the Smartphone's lens. Not composing the images according to rules such as the rule of thirds and not trying various angles can make the product shots look unappealing.

Other issues that may weaken the result include failure to equalize brightness, contrast, and colors and overdoing it, which may make the image appear unnatural. Correcting these habits can significantly enhance the quality of a smartphone-used product picture.

Conclusion

Conducting a photoshoot of a product with a smartphone can efficiently produce clear images for a wide range of usages. Your photos might look great, but editing can add a distinctive flair and bring them to life. Here, Dresma can provide ways to enhance your product catalog by leveraging AI for eCommerce content creation.

Dresma have transformed the process, offering solutions that not only cut costs and time but also helps in maintaining consistent, high-quality visuals. This enables businesses to focus more on growth and customer engagement rather than the complexities of traditional product photography.

get product photography app for free

Frequently asked questions

Why is good product photography important for online businesses?
Good product photography is crucial for online businesses because it creates the first impression for potential customers. High-quality images can enhance the perceived value of the product, build trust, and ultimately drive sales. Clear and attractive photos help customers understand the product better, reducing the likelihood of returns and dissatisfaction.
What are some tips for taking good product photos using a smartphone?
To take good product photos with a smartphone, ensure you use natural lighting or a well-lit environment, avoid using the flash as it can create harsh shadows, and use a tripod to keep the phone steady. Experiment with different angles to find the most flattering perspective for the product, and use a clean, uncluttered background to keep the focus on the product itself.
What are the benefits of investing in high-quality product photography?
High-quality product photography offers several benefits, including improved customer engagement, higher conversion rates, and reduced return rates. It also helps to establish a professional brand image, differentiate products from competitors, and provides versatile images that can be used across various marketing channels, such as social media, websites, and advertising materials.
What are the advantages of using a smartphone for product photography?
Using a smartphone for product photography is convenient and cost-effective. Smartphones are portable and always on hand, making it easy to capture photos anytime and anywhere. Modern smartphones are equipped with advanced camera features that can produce high-quality images without the need for expensive equipment. Additionally, DoMyShoot mobile app is a free product photography app that allows for quick and easy professional product photography at home.
What are some common challenges and limitations of using a smartphone for product photography?
Some common challenges include limited control over exposure and focus compared to professional cameras, potential for lower image quality in low-light conditions, and difficulty in capturing fine details and textures. Additionally, smartphones may have limited lens options, making it hard to achieve certain effects like macro or wide-angle shots. Overcoming these challenges requires AI product photography workflow.
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