As a business owner and a consumer, whether you like it or not, online shopping is here to stay.
In fact, the last few years saw a steady increase in Filipinos’ love for online shopping. It’s more convenient and lets them explore more options before making a decision. White background product photography can help brands like you catch your customers’ attention through a small rectangular space on their phone so that they click on your items and hit the “Buy Now” button.
You don’t need elaborate photos to convert buyers. Rather, you need polished and authentic product photos. For Stellar Studios photographers, the best way to do this is through a white background.
In this article, we’ll define white background in product photography, its benefits, and some tips to successfully execute this technique.
What is White Background Product Photography
Product photos give customers a visual representation of the products sold by a business. These are used in e-commerce websites but may also be used in social media.
One of the techniques in product photography is using a white background. Typically, when using a white background, the photographer only features the product, shot from various angles, to showcase its details.
The use of props and models is minimal, if any. This is so that the camera and viewers’ focus stay on the product and its features.
All this seems simple enough. But using a white background merits different approaches to product photography.
How Do You Use White Background in Product Photography?
While a white background is generally forgiving, knowing how to use it right will improve the quality of your photos. Here’s how you can get professional-looking product photos with a white background:
1. Assembling a White Background Properly
The first thing you may be wondering is, “How can I make my product background white?” There are a few ways to do this:
One, you can set up a physical background with a seamless backdrop, a lightbox, or a white board and poster board. If you’re using a white board, tape their ends at a perpendicular angle then tape the poster board on top to create a sweep background.
The poster board will cover the line where the two boards meet, which tends to be distracting in product photos. White product photography background can be matte or glossy; what’s important is that it is clean.
2. Use a Good Camera
With product photography, the priority is high-quality, crisp images. And you can only achieve these with a good camera. So, before you proceed with a photo shoot, make sure that you have a good camera first.
Ideally, the camera should have a good resolution and is capable of close-up photos. Smartphone cameras with high camera resolution may also work for product photography.
3. Set Up a Tripod
A tripod is a handy tool in product photo shoots. It enables photographers to minimize camera shake, especially when using lower shutter speeds.
This also makes it easier to switch between adjusting the product or anything else in the setup and shooting.
4. Capture White Products on White Background
Taking pictures of white products on a white background is a great way to highlight the craftsmanship. However, you need to be careful not to let the product disappear into the background.
Now, how do you photograph white products on a white background?
The most effective strategy to make white items pop against white background is using shadows. Create distinct shadows to lift the product from the background. You can create harsh shadows with natural light, or if that’s not available, a daylight balanced bulb.
5. Take Test Shots… And Adjust Accordingly
Once you’ve arranged your setup, pause for a moment to take test shots. The test shots will show you if you have executed the right setup for your product shoot ideas.
You can then make adjustments to get the right lighting and angles before you officially begin. Your photoshoot will flow more smoothly because test shots help minimize the need for adjustments.
6. Shoot from Different Angles
Product photography shows the best view of the products, as well as their different features. So, don’t be afraid to get creative—explore different angles. Move the item around to get the best shots.
Customers will surely appreciate seeing various angles and features of products before they add anything to their cart.
7. Capture Close-Up Photos
Some products’ selling point is the craftsmanship they were made with. If you encounter a product like this, highlight the details that make that item unique. Zoom into the textures and the stitches.
These close-up photos are a great supplement to images that feature the product as a whole. It gives customers a clearer idea of what it would be like to hold and use the product.
With a well-crafted item, close-up photos are sure to entice customers into a purchase.
8. Retouch the Images
Even if you use the best camera and lighting and apply the best techniques, your photos can still look better with a little retouching.
Editing images often involves zooming in on the images, which allows editors to see tiny details that could be distracting. Dust, small smudges, or a slightly blurry edge may not be visible right away, but customers who zoom in on pictures may spot them.
Retouching images is a crucial extra step to ensure that you product photos come out polished.
6 Benefits of Using a White Background for Product Photography
Now that you know how to execute white background product photography, let’s discuss why you should use it on your sites. Here are the six primary benefits of using white background in product photos:
Creates Clean Photos
A white backdrop has no noise compared to other types of backgrounds used for product photography.
Other colors may distort the product’s original colors. Featuring a model or items in the background, on the other hand, will inevitably distract the viewers from the focal point of your image. With a plain white background, you can keep the viewer’s eyes on the product and highlight its selling point.
For photographers, shooting with a white background also allows them to explore various angles and lighting that work best for the product.
Overall, a white background makes photos look refined and sophisticated in its simplicity, letting products speak for themselves.
Makes Products Shine
White is a highly reflective color. When light hits a white background, it bounces onto the product from all perspectives. As a result, the product becomes illuminated from different angles, instantly making any product look brighter.
Additionally, a white background reflects neutral light so it doesn’t obscure the colors of the product. Instead, the colors only become more vibrant.
Crisp images with vibrant colors are sure to not only attract people’s attention but also get them excited to try an item.
Produces Professional-Looking Photos
When done right, a white background can make even a low-budget or home photoshoot look professional. Even without expensive lighting, your product will look vibrant. Plus, the simple fact that white gives off a sense of cleanliness makes product photos appear more polished.
Learning how to use a white background in product photography doesn’t involve complicated steps, as you have seen. As long as you use a clean white background, the benefits come in almost naturally.
Produces Consistent Quality
One more benefit of a white background is that it produces consistent quality. You get clean, well-lit photos each time.
Good quality photos give off a sense of professionalism and trustworthiness—both qualities consumers look for in a brand.
Minimizes Need for Retouching
Because white makes photos look better, product photos shot on a white backdrop often require minimal retouching. Editors may need to remove a few smudges here and there or refine some areas, but they likely don’t need to make major color adjustments to make a photo pop.
So, a white background is more cost-efficient.
Helps Improve User-Experience
Crisp photos allow consumers to see the product more clearly to assist with their decision-making. However, if you have a website, a white background can also make your website load faster.
It’s easier to minimize the file size of photos with a white background, which helps images in your site load faster.
Website loading speed affects both conversion rates and customer loyalty because, as research shows, 1 in 4 visitors abandon slow-loading sites and do not plan on returning.
Ramp Up Your Site with Compelling Product Photos by Stellar Studios
So much work has surely gone into the creation of each product in your business. Now that you’re ready to share them with the world, it is only right to use product photos that reflect the quality of your items. Show the world what you have to offer.
A good product photography service provider understands what your products offer and captures that with every click of the shutter button. Professional photographers at Stellar Studios know how to use a white background in product photography to produce exquisite and sophisticated images.
See what difference a team of product photography professionals can do for your business today. Send us a message to learn more.