Settings Breakdown
Sharp focus throughout the product is usually essential. f/8-11 maximizes sharpness; f/16 for very deep products. Focus stacking for critical work.
Base ISO always — you control the lighting. Product photography is about maximum quality. There's no excuse for high ISO in a studio.
On tripod, speed doesn't matter. With strobes, use sync speed (1/160-1/250s). Continuous lighting? Any speed works — use what your aperture needs.
Color accuracy is critical for e-commerce. Set custom WB with gray card. Most strobes are daylight-balanced (5500K). Shoot RAW for fine-tuning.
For maximum precision, use Live View magnification and manual focus. Focus on the most important feature — label, texture, or defining detail.
Tripod enables precise framing, consistent angle across multiple products, and allows any shutter speed needed for your lighting setup.
Pro Tips
Use a Lightbox/Tent
Softboxes or light tents diffuse light evenly, eliminating harsh shadows and reflections. Essential for reflective products like jewelry or electronics.
Clean Everything
Dust, fingerprints, smudges — all visible at high resolution. Clean products meticulously and use gloves. Easier to prevent than retouch.
White Background Workflow
Light background 1-2 stops brighter than product for pure white. Or photograph on any surface and mask/extract product in post.
Use a Macro Lens
For small products, a macro lens captures fine details — texture, stitching, engraving. Standard lenses can't focus close enough.
Shoot Multiple Angles
E-commerce needs front, back, side, detail shots. Plan your shot list. Consistent lighting and style across all angles.
Consider Reflections
Reflective surfaces (glass, metal, glossy plastic) need careful lighting. Use black cards to add contrast, white cards for fill.