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Product Photos – Studio lighting VS Natural light

Product Photos – Studio lighting VS Natural light

Product Photos – Studio lighting VS Natural light

Product Photos - Studio lighting VS Natural light

Welcome to the Crystal Clear Podcast where we strive to empower the everyday creative boss to elevate and grow a business that matches your creativity and passion for creating products.

 

Things mentioned in this podcast episode:

 

This episode is not to debunk one source of lighting over the other but rather to talk about the difference in the two. My background is in natural lighting. Its the main source for all of my photography since I started my business. However, in the last year I have found many uses in studio professional lighting.

So to dive right on in… the true difference in studio lighting and natural lighting is control.

Continued… 

With studio lighting, the whites are whiter, in other words providing a crisp and more actual depiction of the colors. The shadows can be more direct and controlled in a professional setting. Though they can also appear a bit more harsh unless your light is balanced. The best part is getting to add or take away the lighting, shadows and drama in your images. Lastly, the clarity and focus is infinitely better and reflected in the end result.

So why might a photographer still choose natural light over professional lighting? The natural lighting provides a realness and softer appeal that the studio lighting lacks. There’s a better, intrinsic balance without shadow. As a photographer myself, I like the option of having the option to backlight my images and add an element of overexposure where needed. The natural lighting can also provide a warmer tone. I’ve also found in my work, that models’ skin tone, in natural light, to show more true because of that warmer tone from the sun.

The past few months I’ve really enjoyed mixing my lighting sources and options to fit each clients brand even better. So, tell me, are you a natural light kind of gal or is something more dramatic ideal for your brand?

Take a screenshot and share with me on Instagram as I dive in to more tips and behind the scenes of my product photography.

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Comment, share on Pinterest, or even snap a screenshot and tag me on Instagram! I’d love to hear what you think about props for product photography.

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About Crystal

Corporate America had me at hello for 10 years. And just when I thought I was where I was supposed to be, God changed the narrative and helped me find more time for my husband and two beautiful girls through my own photography business. Now, I live for all things styled photography and serving the business community exclusively through styled imagery and personal brand photography.

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The Best Digital Journey for Your Photos (From SD Card to Social Media)

The Best Digital Journey for Your Photos (From SD Card to Social Media)

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The Best Digital Journey for Your Photos (From SD Card to Social Media)

The digital journey for my photos is just as important as the photography shoot itself.

O

nce I’ve taken the images that I need, the next steps I take determines how they’re going to look on my websites, social media platforms, client websites, etc. Here’s what works best for me that might work best for you. Learn the best digital journey for your photos from the tips I recommend all my clients.

The Uploading Process

 

There are several ways to upload and share your photos to your computer. Depending on the file size and how many images you have, you may need bigger cloud storage like DropBox or Google Drive. If you’ve outsourced your product photography to a professional, this will most likely be how they will share your photos with you. The sharing feature makes it easier for you to get your shots without diminishing the quality. Using additional storage also helps keep your computer free from too many files on the desktop. iCloud is another great option to use if you’re taking your product photos yourself.

 

I prefer to use Lexar Professional SD Cards they are generally more reliable and come in a larger size so they fit well for someone who likes to snap a lot in one sitting. I insert my SD Card straight into my computer, where I can immediately upload the raw files into the cloud storage. I avoid uploading the photos directly to my computer because I take so many, and it could fill up space on my Mac desktop quickly. 

 

Best Photo Editing Programs

 

Some of the best photo editing programs to use are Lightroom (my personal favorite!) and Photoshop. Both have a learning curve if it’s your first time using the program, but photo editing is what takes your photos to the next level. Lightroom is easier to master and is geared more towards bloggers AND photographers, which is why I like it so much. Its a quick easy adjustment to the light, hence its name. Lightroom allows for all the presets we love but also to get that light and bright look that I love! But even as a beginner, it’s a great tool to learn and use. Tons of pro photographers use it as a primary editing tool.

 

If you’re taking your own product photos, I’ve created some simple presets you can use to add the finishing touches and maintain consistency. They’re geared to be similar to my style but also to help with adjustments fitting flat lays or products. So whether you’re on the go with the mobile Lightroom app or working from home on the LR desktop, the CCP Presets gives you the basics guide for the presets and installation. I even added in a quick video to give you tips on what you can adjust based on what color or light setting you might want to change.

 

What Not To Do

Some things to avoid when it comes to your product photography are taking screenshots and saving smaller versions of the file to your computer. You also don’t want to download it to your phone and then use that size to upload it to your website. Your phone is meant to auto-size in some cases so you can end up with a low quality image that way. At the end both screenshots and smaller versions you save to your phone can diminish the quality of the original image, leaving you with a blurry photo. Although it’s easier and more convenient to do, it’s not worth it. Never use any but the original or edited photo on your social media or websites. It looks extremely unprofessional.

 

File Formats To Save Your Photos In

 

The best file formats to save your photos are JPG and PNG, this is key when you are exporting them from Lightroom or Photoshop. When you’re shooting in a camera you want to make sure to save your files in a RAW file format, this tends to keep a lot more information stored from the image and gives you better editing ranges when it comes to light and color. The RAW file will leave you with more information to work with when editing, and you’re less likely to diminish the quality of the picture in the process. You can also recover more than you can with a standard jpeg. That just means if you’re looking to add more light where the image is darker then you won’t have as good a chance at recovering that if the file isn’t a RAW file. However, you cannot share the files until they’ve been post-processed in a photography program like Lightroom or Photoshop.

 

JPG and PNG are ready-made images that almost all social platforms accept. You can share these easily and have more room to store your photos since they take up less data. However, when you edit and resize them repeatedly, the image quality begins to degrade, leaving you with a blurry image. To avoid that make sure to always copy from the original file or jpeg to avoid that.

 

Conclusion

 

Once your photos are edited and ready to go, it’s time to upload them to your website and social media. The digital journey is a process that takes some work, but the results can end up in more sales and a loyal following. If you need help with any of these steps, send me a message, and I can help. We can also chat on Instagram!

 

 

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About Crystal

 

Crystal is the Creative Director, Photo Stylist, and Commercial Photographer behind Crystal Clear Creative Studios. From increased sales, visibility, and trends to conversions and full production, Crystal and her team, experts on the subject matter, provide clients with confidence to take your photography and videography needs off your plate. We support you in your growth with the creation and implementation of transformative ideas.

3 Things to Have on Hand for Your Product Photos

3 Things to Have on Hand for Your Product Photos

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3 Things to Have on Hand for Your Product Photos

Doesn’t it make you feel better when you know you’re prepared for any possible outcome?

N

ot only does this make our lives easier in case unexpected problems come up but it saves us time trying to search for the things we need during the most precious moments in our business.

 

So, if you’re currently taking on the role of the photographer in your business, here are 3 things to have on hand for your product photos. These are the key things we find most important and likely always needed, even if you don’t know it.

Steamer

 

This is a must for all things fabric. You can use a steamer for several different things including a backdrop, clothing products, pillows, basically anything that can wrinkle. Steamers are an essential tool that I have on hand at the studio. It’s also great for any models bringing in clothing that may need to be quickly prepped. A steamer takes up little storage space and can get the job done quicker than ironing would. You can check out the one I use here.

 

Sticky Tack

 

My second go-to at the studio is sticky tack. This is magical and the best thing to have for those round shaped jars, products, and props that tend to run off while we are shooting. It’s a quick, easy, and cheap solution to styling angles, fun layouts, or anything that appears impossible to achieve.

 

If you’re not sure what sticky tack is, it’s a piece of removable, sticky substance that you can attach on your products or props to help keep them in unique poses or on uneven surfaces. The trick is to use just enough to hold your product in place, but not too much where you catch it on camera. Here’s my favorite sticky tack to use!

 

Acrylic Cubes

 

Last and most important for flat lays – Acrylic Cubes! These are magical little pieces that add some extra depth to your flat lay photos. You can use them individually to lift props when styling shots or stack them on top of each other to add some extra height. Acrylic cubes are great for getting creative and prove best for displaying and raising products to the right level. With various sizes, you can easily hide certain parts of your image or use it to outright style your photos. This is the set I use in my studio.

 

Conclusion

 

You never know when you’ll need to add something a little extra to your shot, so having these 3 things nearby can truly help. If you have any questions or simply need ongoing monthly support, I’d love to connect. We can schedule a consultation call to identify the best options for you. You can also find me on Instagram!

 

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About Crystal

 

Crystal is the Creative Director, Photo Stylist, and Commercial Photographer behind Crystal Clear Creative Studios. From increased sales, visibility, and trends to conversions and full production, Crystal and her team, experts on the subject matter, provide clients with confidence to take your photography and videography needs off your plate. We support you in your growth with the creation and implementation of transformative ideas.

The 7 Do’s and Don’ts of Flat-Lay Photography

The 7 Do’s and Don’ts of Flat-Lay Photography

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The 7 Do’s and Don’ts of Flat-Lay Photography

Flat lay photography is the fastest growing type of photograph for the product based business. 

W

e have all seen those Instagram posts of the seemingly perfect, birds-eye view of a product surrounded by carefully curated props.

Flat-lay photography is a unique and appealing way to showcase your products without having to travel far for the perfect picture. But like anything in business, there’s a strategy to consider before you take your flat-lay photos.

 

Creating the perfect flat-lay takes more time than you think. Essentially you’re creating a photo that looks like you came across your product naturally. So here are 7 do’s and don’ts for creating the perfect flat-lay.

 

1 – Have Fun with the Colors

Do have fun with the colors in your photo. It’s one of the first things you notice about a picture, so don’t be afraid to experiment a little. Think about the visual story and the feelings you’re trying to evoke.

 

Don’t forget to balance the colors. You want everything in your flat-lay to flow together. Avoid using too much of one color, spread it out evenly, and stay on brand. When in doubt, stick to a similar palette when choosing your colors.

 

2 – Focus on Your Main Product

Do focus on your main product. Remember the reason you are taking the photo. What makes your product different from the competition? Showcase any unique details and focus on any interesting characteristics you want your customers to notice.

 

Don’t forget to make sure it’s not overshadowed. Arrange any additional props accordingly, but make sure the customer can tell the product apart from the rest. The last thing you want is your audience to be confused about what you’re selling.

 

3 – Add Variety

Do add variety in your props. The purpose of your flat-lay is to create a visual story in the most natural way. Consider where your ideal customer will use your product. What kind of items will you find nearby? Utilize your props to add depth to the image and have fun with it! Move things around until you find the perfectly imperfect shot.

 

Don’t forget to add texture. Using different colors, lights, and shadows all help tell your product’s visual story. The lighting alone can add more depth and create a three-dimensional feel. You can also use props with varying textures that can make the overall photo feel tangible and real.

 

4 – Use Balanced Lighting

Do strive for balanced lighting and soft shadows. While it is alright to have light and dark spots in the picture, try to keep it as balanced and as soft as possible. A flat-lay isn’t a good image for a spotlight with a lot of dark space.

 

Don’t forget shadows. Too much shadow in your picture can cause the image to get lost, but a little shadow adds natural depth and appeal. You can play around with your props and create shadows in the image that highlight your product in new ways.

 

5 – Shoot at the Same Time, Every Time

Do shoot any image at the same time of the day, every time. Consistency is key for any photoshoot. However, maintaining the same lighting across the board is extremely important for every image. Once you decide where to shoot the photo, utilize the natural light as best as you can to keep your photos consistent.

 

Don’t forget that you can shoot outside. Maybe your home or studio doesn’t have a lot of natural light. Instead, set up your flat-lay on an outdoor table. Be sure to have the right settings on your camera to avoid dark or blown out photos. To learn more tips on how to keep your photos consistent, check out my blog post here.

 

6 – Use White Space 

Do give yourself ample empty or white space. Keep in mind, the style that you’re going for. Empty or white space can create powerful images if used correctly. Less is more and utilizing the space allows the eye to flow easily from each part of your photo before resting on your product.

 

Don’t photograph your photos in a square. While a square shape can seem great for a symmetrical flat-lay, you want to be able to repurpose your image for many different formats. It’s also better to have options for future content purposes.

 

7 – Get Closer  

Do get closer to the product. Most images feel off or not put together because you have made the shot tighter by bringing in the props and closing up some of the white space. Spread things out, back your camera up, and let the white space do the work.

 

Don’t forget to play around. Your first shot might not work out, so take a lot of them! Move props around, take some props out, and add new ones in. Take a picture you feel showcases your product the best.

 

Flat-lay photography is a skill in itself. Arranging props to look like you happened across your product on a normal day can take some practice and lots of repetition. But keep these tips in mind as you go along. It doesn’t need to be complicated. However, if you feel that you struggle with curating photos for your business, check out my Flat-Lay Method Course. This course is designed for the DIY business owner looking to develop a process around flat-lay photography. You’ll learn things like camera basics and flat-lay setups. For more information, you can contact me here or we can chat on Instagram!

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About Crystal

 

Crystal is the Creative Director, Photo Stylist, and Commercial Photographer behind Crystal Clear Creative Studios. From increased sales, visibility, and trends to conversions and full production, Crystal and her team, experts on the subject matter, provide clients with confidence to take your photography and videography needs off your plate. We support you in your growth with the creation and implementation of transformative ideas.

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