Studio lights for the best product photography

Good lighting is crucial in photography, especially for product photography. It directly influences the presentation and perception of products by the audience. 

This article explores the impact of lighting on product photography, offering tips for setting up lighting and discussing various studio lights, softboxes, reflectors, foam boards, and lightboxes. 

By understanding and implementing proper lighting techniques, you can create captivating and visually appealing images in product photography.

Does good lighting make a difference in photography?

Good lighting plays a significant role in photography. It enhances the overall quality and look of the photos you capture. A well set good lighting arrangement helps to bring out the subject’s true colours and highlight its details. In addition, it makes the image visually appealing by adding the much-required depth and dimensions to make the image live.

Poor lighting can only ruin your photography. You may photograph the image too dark or too light, losing out on all the crucial details. You may end up creating unflattering shadows or either wash out the subject.

Therefore, it’s essential to use appropriate lighting techniques to make your photos look vibrant, captivating and arouse an interest in the viewer.

Five best tips for product photography lighting setup

The following tips will help you achieve high-end results for your product photographs showcasing the subject’s details and other features with complete clarity.

1. Diffuse lighting: Diffuse the light source to prevent harsh shadows and glare. Use a light tent, softbox or umbrella to create soft, uniform lighting that compliments the product.
2. Position the lights strategically: Find the most approving lighting setup by setting the lights at different angles and positions. Ideally, you use a key light to illuminate the main product, a fill light to reduce shadows and a backlight to add depth and separation.
3. Control reflections: Reflections from reflective surfaces may hamper your photography session. Use reflectors or foam boards that bounce the light and minimize these unwanted reflections. You can also use polarising filters or adjust the product’s angle to reduce the reflections.
4. Balance the light intensity: A balanced light intensity of the light sources helps to prevent overexposure or underexposure. A light meter or histogram on your camera helps to check the exposure levels and balance the light intensity suitably.
5. Experiment with light temperature: Light temperature varies according to the light sources. Experimenting with warm and cool light temperatures with several permutations and combinations will give you the mood and ambience you want for your product photography. Use gels to achieve the colour temperature you want. Alternatively, you can set it by adjusting the white balance to get that.

Essential studio lights for photography

The Basic studio lights that a professional photographer requires are Continuous lights, Strobe lights, Ring lights, Fluorescent lights, and LED lights. Each studio light has its advantages. You may have to choose the appropriate light source depending on the effect you wish to achieve. Budget and other specific requirements, if any, also play a crucial role in picking the type of studio lights.

1. Continuous Lights

As the name suggests, continuous lights provide a constant and steady light source. It helps photographers to evaluate the lighting effects in real-time. Continuous lights are great for budding photographers as you can set them easily.

Continuous lights precisely control the lighting. Hence it is preferred for product photography, where every detail of the product is crucial in the photograph.

2. Strobe Lights

These lights create strong bursts of light, providing quick and intense illumination. Strobe lights help freeze motion and are ideal for capturing dynamic product shorts.

Strobe lights are versatile. You can adjust their power settings, enabling them to sync with the camera for accurate timing.

3. Ring Lights

Ring lights provide uniform illumination from the front. They are circular shaped and surround the camera lens. Ring lights remove shadows and enhance the product details by producing a flattering, soft light.

Ring lights highlight small products with outstanding clarity and hence are popular in macro photography.

4. Fluorescent lights

These are energy-efficient and produce a cool, daylight-balance light. Despite being affordable, these lights have a long lifespan.

Fluorescent lights distribute uniform lights. They are suitable for illuminating big-sized products or creating a well-lit background.

5. LEDs

LEDs provide consistent lighting with low heat emission. They are compact, portable and offer adjustable colour temperatures. LED lights give a free hand to photographers for creating different moods and effects by adjusting the intensity and colour temperature.

Softbox usage tips?

Softbox helps diffuse lighting that enhances the details and textures of your product. The final result you get is visually appealing product photographs.

1. Set up the softbox: Connect the softbox to your studio light. Ensure to fasten it appropriately. Set the light and softbox at an angle to provide the desired lighting direction and coverage.
2. Determine the distance: Place the softbox closer to the studio light if you intend to have a softer, diffused light. Position the softbox at a distance from the studio light to achieve a more directional and focused light.
3. Adjust the power output: Adjusting the power output of the studio light is an effective strategy to achieve the result you desire. Try different settings to evaluate the results that are near your expectations.
4. Position the softbox: To achieve the light direction you wish to achieve, place the softbox at a specific angle. You can position it above, to the side, or in front of the product. All these settings help you to add dimension, highlight the textures and minimize unnecessary shadows.
5. Modify the softbox: Try using different modifiers, such as a grid or diffuser control the lighting quality. A grid helps you narrow the light beam and creates more focused illumination. On the other hand, a diffuser spreads the light for a softer effect.
6. Fine-tune the lighting: Adjust the settings to assess the lighting on your product. Closely evaluate the reflections, shadows and highlights. Add additional light sources or reflectors to fill the shadows. Add highlights if necessary.
7. Take test shots: After setting everything, it’s sensible to have a test shot. It helps you evaluate the overall lighting and do the essential refinements. Reviewing the images on a computer monitor helps to ensure that you have successfully achieved the desired results and brought out the true essence of the product.

Why are Reflectors/foam boards important?

Reflectors and foam boards allow you to manipulate and control lighting conditions during your product photography.

Reflectors bounce the light back onto the product, reducing harsh shadows and adding fill light. Reflectors are available in various colours, such as white, silver, gold and black, allowing you to have an effect of your choice on the light. 

White reflectors produce a neutral fill light. Silver reflectors add a brighter and cooler tone, while gold reflectors give a warm, golden glow, and black reflectors absorb light, create shadows and add contrast.

Foam boards offer you more versatility that you can use in multiple ways. You can use them as reflectors to bounce light, fill the shadows or act as a backdrop to create a clean and simple background. Foam boards are lightweight, easy to operate. In addition, it allows you to position it strategically to control and shape the light that falls on the product.

Use reflectors and foam boards effectively to shoot well-balanced and visually appealing images.

Light Boxes for Product Photography

Use light boxes for your product photography to achieve professional-looking photographs. 

1. Set up the lightbox: Assemble the lightbox as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Ensure you position it securely and is stable.
2. Place the product: Place your product inside the lightbox. Ensure you place it in the centre and set it as you want.
3. Adjust the lighting: Place the lights on either side of the lightbox. Aim them towards the product. Set and adjust the distance and angle to achieve uniform illumination and minimize shadows.
4. Diffuse the light: Diffuse the light with diffusers if the lights are too bright or harsh. Alternatively, you can place sheets of tracing paper on the lights to soften the harshness to create a pleasing effect.
5. Control reflections: Adjust the lights or use foam boards or reflectors to bounce the light and reduce reflections. 
6. Capture the shot: Trigger the shutter with a remote or a timer after setting up your camera on a tripod. Setting the camera on the tripod prevents it from shaking. Try shooting with different angles and compositions to arrive at the best representation of the product.

How to make the most of natural light?

Here are a few tips to make the most of natural light.

1. Find the right time: First and last hours of sunlight are the golden hours for any photography shoot. The soft and warm light at this time adds glow and depth to your photos.
2. Position your subject: Position your product according to the direction of the natural light. If you want to create a beautiful halo effect, backlighting with natural light will help. For highlighting textures and details, ensure natural light from the sides.
3. Use reflectors: Reflectors bounce natural light back onto the product. They fill the shadows and enhance overall brightness. Alternatively, you can use white form boards, reflector discs or a piece of white cardboard as a reflector.
4. Shoot near windows or openings: Place your product near a window or opening from where the natural light flows in. Achieve the lighting effects you desire. Set the product relative to the light source.
5. Avoid harsh midday light: Avoid direct overhead sunlight. It creates harsh shadows and washes out colours. Always shoot under a shade or use diffusers, such as sheer curtains or translucent materials, during outdoor shoots. It helps to soften the light.

Conclusion

To conclude, good lighting is essential for product photography. An appropriate and excellent lighting arrangement directly impacts the presentation of products.

As a product photographer, this article helps you to utilize appropriate studio lights and arrange them correctly, using softboxes, reflectors, foam boards and lightboxes.

Following the tips in the article will help you elevate your product photography and take it to the next level.

Contact us for more details on studio lights and other photographic equipment.