Sunday Sharing: Product Photography Made Easy
My dear friends, I have something to share. You might be doing this already, but you might not. I have been taking pretty cool clean bright photos, and I didn’t even need any light boxes or ring lights or fancy gadgets. The product photo comes out true to colour, and not much post production tweaks are needed. I don’t even have a DSLR. My camera is just a Canon G12. Time and sunlight don’t matter either. It can be noon or midnight for all I care. Before I start, let me just give all credit to my wonderful Mr Chloe Ash. Interested to know more?
Here are some samples of my photos taken using this method:
All you need is a bathtub. I kid you not. A bathtub and a flash. Below is my bathroom, with some mess from the children’s bath…
You place the product near to the edge of the bathtub so light will be bouncing off every angle. The flash attached to your camera shouldn’t be pointing directly at the product so the light won’t be too harsh. You can try pointing the flash toward the edge of the bathtub and let the light bounce off the angles. You could also let the light bounce off the ceiling for a diffused effect.
The resulting image from this is below, with no post production. In my opinion, this photo is a little overexposed, so what I do is to lower the power of the flash (or just lowering the ISO would do the job) and try again. When I’m satisfied with how it looks on my LCD screen, I’d take it to my computer for a little post production. Usually, it doesn’t take more than just tweaking a little brightness and contrast, just messing with the curves. That’s it! You can do all these on pixlr.com. Don’t even need Photoshop or Aperture or any other fancy programs.
So yup, here’s my little trick for taking my product shots recently. I’ve been so busy, I just cannot find the time to take photos in the day. Also, this, I reckon is much better than having a bulky light box and having to crack my head where to store it. You could purchase a mounted flash from eBay for a small amount of money (around RM100) before investing in a good one.
I hope you’ll give it a try. A little creativity my husband thought of, and I hope this sharing helped you in your shots too! Do you have any other tricks up your sleeves that you don’t mind sharing? I enjoy good photographs in others’ blogs (bad ones really turn me off) and I try my best for my own blog too. I am still learning so any good advice or tips are much appreciated!
xoxo Lily
Eee, you put up a post on this! ;o) I still can’t get over the fact that these shots were all taken in your tub — brilliant. You and your husband must make quite the clever pair!
Rae // theNotice recently posted..Keep your paws off my Japoneseque Safari Chic Bronzer Brush (because I’m kind of smitten.) | A quick Japonesque Safari Chic review
Hi Rae! Good things are meant to be shared
Well, I hope it’s worth sharing anyway. Did you try it with other sources for lighting? So far, I find flash to be most convenient. There are no plugs near the tub so I can’t try using normal light bulbs in place of the flash.
nice! but the con is….you will need a bathtub LOL
xin recently posted..Dior Jungle Collection for Fall – A Beautiful Crocodile Effect Top Coat
Yeah, really need a bathtub. I’m thinking what else can replace the tub…
Excellent tip and photos look amazing! But am with Xin I’m afraid – tough for us sorts without a tub
Paris B recently posted..Absolutely Crazy over the Clarks Dollar Craze Shoes
LOL! I know… apparently tubs aren’t that popular locally. Someone mentioned the sink… I’m gonna give that a try. Haha!
I am so amazed about this idea!! I can’t believe all these picture was actually taken from a bath tub. Sadly speaking, I do not have a bath tub at home. Lol!!
There are quite a few people who are in the same predicament… no bathtub. I’m still thinking what else ca be used to replace that!
omg its amazing!
Nida recently posted..22k Dazzling Shimmer Eyeliner!
I know right? If you have a bathtub at home, you must give this a try
Genius! I wish my bathtub was always clean enough for this though
Lab Muffin recently posted..Alternatives to Laneige’s Strawberry Peeling Gel
Well, Lab Muffin, you really only need a very small space. Furthermore, you could always place a cloth under the products!
THIS IS SO CREATIVE!
hmm, i am thinking…for those without a bathtub…does basin works? XD
hahahaha
Hey Gin, I’m gonna try your idea! Maybe the basin does work! Well, maybe not… will give it a go and let you know
i think…if the basin is BIG enough… it probably will HAHAHAHA~~~~~~~
looking forward to hear your experiment result!
We’ll see… might be a little complicated, might be even easier! LOL!
This is an ingenious idea. I think many bloggers will give this a go.
I hope this helps and will somehow promote better photos. I love a good photo!
This is a great tip!! I would have never thought to use a tub and flash. Going to try this tip tomorrow…I’ll have to lay a white board on the bottom of the tub though because my tub is not as sparkling white as yours
Becca @ The Beauty Sample recently posted..The Sample: NEW L’Oréal Colour Riche Colour Caresse Lipsticks Review & Swatches
Oh, please let me know how it turns out, Becca! I’d love to know
This is so cool! I totally wish I had a bathtub, but this will have to wait till we own our house. Great idea!
Sunny @ Mostly Sunny recently posted..Lacking in the Lash Department? Try Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum!
Are you moving soon or still looking for your dream house?
I think the plan is to get one at some point next year! It’s hard to find one that you like and can afford in this area though, so we’ll see!
Sunny @ Mostly Sunny recently posted..Lacking in the Lash Department? Try Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum!
All the best in house hunting! It is a fun process, especially the renovating part… but wallet bleeds, of course
I have a Canon G12 and I have a bathtub too
Yay! Thanks for sharing this photography tip – love it
Ling recently posted..Beauty Vlog : Simple Messy Side Do Hair Tutorial
Oh that’s awesome! If your bathroom is not bright enough then you might want additional flash…
Wow this is such a great idea! Although my bathtub is a weird coralish shade so I think I have to stick with a light tent.
Katherine Tealeaf recently posted..Adelaide Lolita Newbie Event
Hi Katherine, thanks for dropping by! You know, photos should turn out good even if it’s a coral background. Your flash has to be bright enough, and the background is usually washed out, to white. Have a try!
Good idea Lily,thanks for sharing
But like everyone said,i don’t have a bathtub!!! :’(
Nicole recently posted..Banini Beauty’s 1st every GIVEAWAY!!!!
That seems to be a common problem – people not having a tub. Maybe you should really give your sink a try. LOL!
Haha,you should try it and let us know,cause mine will look weird cause my sink is in blue color now,my dad wants it that way lol
Nicole recently posted..Banini Beauty’s 1st every GIVEAWAY!!!!
We’ll see
I’ll definitely keep you guys posted if I tried it!
Ok
Nicole recently posted..Banini Beauty’s 1st every GIVEAWAY!!!!
Haha, good one Lily. Thank you for sharing the trade secret
I appreciate good photos in a blog because it is such eye candy. Good photos often bring the life out of the product, nevermind that sometimes the product wasn’t that great to begin with.
Oh, ditto on appreciating good photos. I’m still trying to improve and it takes a lot of hardwork! I love reading other blogs and somehow, my interest fades if the photos are dark and blurry – even though the writing might be ok.
Hi, I found your blog from mywomanstuff.com
Anyway I never thought about taking product photo in my bathtub. Thanks for sharing your great idea~
Linh.C recently posted..DIAMOND CHAIN DIY
Hi Linh, welcome and thanks for dropping by! I hope you find this idea useful because I have been stressing out less when there isn’t sunlight or when my weekends are too busy for photo taking. Basically, when you see bright photos like these with white backgrounds, yes, I took them at night using my bath tub. Lol!