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Aditya Srivastava
Aditya Srivastava
26 October 2023

7 Must-Try Lighting Setups For Product Photography

What is product photography services?

Product photography services are essential for any business that wants to sell its products online or in print. Good product photography can help to increase sales, boost brand awareness, and create a positive customer experience.

Why is good lighting so important for product photography?

One of the most important elements of product photography is lighting. Good lighting can make your products look their best and create professional-looking photos. In this blog post, we will discuss seven must-try lighting setups for product photography.

7 must-try lighting setups  

1. Overhead Lighting

overhead lighting setup for product photography
Overhead lighting setup

 

Overhead lighting is the most common type of lighting used in product photography. It is simple to set up and produces even, consistent light. Overhead lighting is a good choice for general product photography, but it can also be used to create more creative effects.

 

Benefits of using overhead lighting for product photography:

  • Easy to set up
  • Produces even, consistent light
  • Good for general product photography
  • How to set up overhead lighting for product photography:

 

To set up overhead lighting, you will need a light source, such as a speedlight or studio strobe, and a diffuser, such as a softbox or umbrella. Place the light source directly above the product and adjust the height and distance to achieve the desired lighting effect.

 

Tips for using overhead lighting to create professional-looking product photos:

 

  • Use a diffuser to soften the light and eliminate harsh shadows.
  • Experiment with different angles to create different looks.
  • Use a white background to create a clean and modern look.

2. Backlit Lighting

Backlit lighting setup for product photography
Image source: Videomaker.com

 

Backlit lighting is a technique where the light source is placed behind the product. This creates a dramatic effect with a bright background and a silhouetted product. Backlit lighting is often used to create mood and atmosphere in product photography.

 

Benefits of using backlit lighting for product photography:

  • Creates a dramatic effect
  • Can be used to create mood and atmosphere
  • Good for highlighting the shape of a product

How to set up backlit lighting for product photography:

 

To set up backlit lighting, you will need a light source, such as a speedlight or studio strobe, and a white background. Place the light source behind the product and adjust the height and distance to achieve the desired lighting effect.

 

Tips for using backlit lighting to create stunning product photos:

Experiment with different angles to create different looks.

Use a white background to create a bright and airy look.

3. Front Lighting

Front light setup for product photography
Image source: tysonrobichaudphotography.blog

Front lighting is a technique where the light source is placed directly in front of the product. This creates a flat, even light that is ideal for showing off the details of a product. Front lighting is often used for e-commerce product photography.

 

Benefits of using front lighting for product photography:

 

  • Creates a flat, even light
  • Ideal for showing off the details of a product
  • Good for e-commerce product photography

How to set up front lighting for product photography:

 

To set up front lighting, you will need a light source, such as a speedlight or studio strobe, and a reflector. Place the light source directly in front of the product and adjust the height and distance to achieve the desired lighting effect. Use a reflector to bounce light back onto the product and fill in any shadows.

 

Tips for using front lighting to create clean and crisp product photos:

  • Use a diffuser to soften the light and eliminate harsh shadows.
  • Use a reflector to fill in any shadows and create even lighting.
  • Use a white background to create a clean and modern look.

4. Split Lighting

Split lighting setup for product photography
image source: photo.stackexchange.com

 

Side lighting is a technique where the light source is placed to the side of the product. This creates a dramatic effect with highlights on one side of the product and shadows on the other side. Side lighting is often used to create a sense of depth and dimension in product photography.

 

Benefits of using side lighting for product photography:

  • Creates a dramatic effect
  • Can be used to create a sense of depth and dimension
  • Good for highlighting the texture of a product

How to set up side lighting for product photography:

 

To set up side lighting, you will need a light source, such as a speedlight or studio strobe. Place the light source to the side of the product and adjust the height and distance to achieve the desired lighting effect.

 

Tips for using side lighting to create dramatic and moody product photos:

  • Use a diffuser to soften the light and eliminate harsh shadows.
  • Experiment with different angles to create different looks.
  • Use a dark background to create a moody and atmospheric look.

5. Rembrandt Lighting

Rembrandt Lighting setup for product photography
image source: expertphotography.com

Rembrandt lighting is a classic portrait lighting technique that can also be used for product photography. Rembrandt lighting creates a triangular patch of light on the shaded side of the model's face. This triangular patch of light is known as the Rembrandt triangle.

Benefits of using Rembrandt lighting for product photography:

  • Creates a flattering and professional look
  • Can be used to highlight the features of a model
  • Good for product photography where the product is the focus of the image, such as jewelry or cosmetics photography

How to set up Rembrandt lighting for product photography:

To set up Rembrandt lighting, you will need a light source, such as a speedlight or studio strobe, and a reflector. Place the light source to the side of the product and slightly above the product's eye level. Angle the light source so that it hits the product's face at a 45-degree angle. Place the reflector on the opposite side of the product to bounce light back onto the product and fill in any shadows.

Tips for using Rembrandt lighting to create flattering and professional product photos:

  • Use a diffuser to soften the light and eliminate harsh shadows.
  • Experiment with different angles to create different looks.
  • Use a dark background to create a dramatic and moody look.

6. Loop Lighting

loop lighting setup for photography
image source: jessicarose21blog.wordpress.com

Loop lighting is a creative lighting technique that creates a soft, even light around a product. Loop lighting is created by placing a light source in a loop shape around the product. Loop lighting is often used to create a sense of luxury and sophistication in product photography.

Benefits of using loop lighting for product photography:

  • Creates a soft, even light
  • Can be used to create a sense of luxury and sophistication
  • Good for product photography where the focus is on the overall look of the product, such as fashion or jewelry photography

How to set up loop lighting for product photography:

To set up loop lighting, you will need two light sources, such as speedlights or studio strobes. Place the light sources in a loop shape around the product. Adjust the height and distance of the light sources to achieve the desired lighting effect.

Tips for using loop lighting to create creative and eye-catching product photos:

  • Use a diffuser to soften the light and eliminate harsh shadows.
  • Experiment with different angles and positions of the light sources to create different looks.
  • Use a black background to create a dramatic and sophisticated look.

7. Paramount/Butterfly Lighting

Paramount lighting setup for product photography
Image source: Pinterest

Butterfly lighting is a type of lighting that creates a sharp and focused light. Butterfly lighting is often used to create high-fashion and beauty product photography.

Benefits of using beauty dish lighting for product photography:

  • Creates a sharp and focused light
  • Good for highlighting the details of a product
  • Good for high-fashion and beauty product photography

How to set up beauty dish lighting for product photography:

To set up Butterfly lighting, you will need a beauty dish or any Light Modifier and a light source, such as a speedlight or studio strobe. Attach the beauty dish to the light source and position the light source in front of the product. Adjust the height and distance of the light source to achieve the desired lighting effect.

Tips for using Butterfly lighting to create sharp and detailed product photos:

  • Use a diffuser to soften the light and eliminate harsh shadows.
  • Add a fill light to fill out the shadows under the nose and eyes.
  • Experiment with different angles and positions of the light source to create different looks.
  • Best for Jewlery and cosmetics photographs with models.
  • Use a white background to create a clean and modern look.

Conclusion

These are just a few of the many lighting setups that you can use for product photography. Experiment with different lighting setups to find what works best for your products and your desired style.

Additional tips for creating professional-looking product photos:

  • Use a high-quality camera and lens.
  • Use a tripod to keep your camera steady.
  • Use a white balance tool to ensure that your colors are accurate.
  • Edit your photos to adjust the brightness, contrast, and saturation.

With a little practice, you can create professional-looking product photos that will help you to sell your products and boost your brand.

Need Help?

Advist Studio offers a comprehensive range of photography services to meet your creative needs. Our expertise spans product photography, tailored for e-commerce success, studio on rent for photography, and captivating aerial photography services. Whether you seek professional product images or aerial perspectives that amaze, we provide the perfect visual solutions. Elevate your visual content with Advist Studio's diverse photography offerings.

Aditya Srivastava

Aditya Srivastava

CEO, Advist Global

Founder and CEO of Advist Global, one of India’s finest Creative Agency, started career as a photographer at the young age of 15. After completing engineering, passion for arts and experience of tech led to set the foundation of Advist Global, specializing in WEB 3 solutions, NFT arts, UX/UI and much more.

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