Basics of Photography
For the most part, everyone can tell a professional photo from one that was snapped in a hurry on a phone. But have you ever thought about what makes the difference?
There are a number of things that contribute to a beautiful photo and because we don’t like secrets, we are going to share some basics with you.
LIGHTING
We would say that lighting is the most important aspect of photography.
You don’t want direct light, indirect is best. But what does that mean? Light can be harsh if it hits the product too hard. You know how everything looks washed out when you take a picture in the brightest place on the brightest day? The same thing applies here. You want to be sure that the light is not hitting anything straight on (direct). You can use whiteboards to redirect the light, point the whiteboard at the light so it bounces onto the object, or screens to filter it to help avoid this issue. Or if you’re shooting inside, pull the studio back from the window a couple of feet to help with the light. If you’re using artificial light, or some lighting fixture, be sure to point it at a whiteboard to help bounce it onto the product. Did you know that tapping somewhere on the screen when taking a photo on the iPhone will redirect the light for you? Pretty neat, huh?
COMPOSITION
This is how things are laid out in the picture. Here are a couple of things to look out for when composing the picture. If there are two props in the photo, make sure they either overlap or are a decent distance away, otherwise, it creates what we call “tension” in the photo. It draws your eye there and you aren’t sure why there is friction. Here is an example. In the next picture, you’ll see how we tucked the napkin under the block and the difference it makes.
RULE OF THIRDS
Think of the picture divided into six sections, three across and three up and down. You want to make sure that one-third draws the focus and the other two support it. Meaning you should place the object you want to focus on in one-third and then leave the other sides mostly empty. It will force the viewer to look where you want them to and create a nice balance in the photo. It generally leads to more appealing shots. Here is an example.
DIRECTION & FLOW
If you’re using something like a napkin or ribbon, you want the direction of the object to move toward the product. Remember that props are there to support the main object, they should deter the eye or distract the focus. If the photo is of a person, be aware of where the person is looking, the direction the body is facing, and the way the hands are moving. All this movement will direct the viewer.
MULTIPLES
Multiples are neat! We love them. Repetitive patterns done well are very visually appealing. Multiples also give a sense of community and/or gathering, the feeling that you are not alone for this meal or to enjoy this product. See the example of multiples.
MOVEMENT
Capturing movement doesn’t have to be what it sounds like. Adding a hand to a photo or pouring a drink can add the kind of movement we mean. It gives life to a photo, rather than something stagnant. This could even be adding a ribbon or napkin like we mentioned above, the curls and draping give movement to the image.
EDITING / STYLE
A lot of the magic happens after the picture is taken. You can use different programs for this, like Photoshop or Lightroom. Or there are a number of great phone apps as well. Editing gives your photos a look that is distinctly you. You can brighten them, add or take away saturation (amount of color), add softness or sharpen them, and add or remove things in the image, really the options are limitless! For branding purposes, it is best to stick to one style. Find one that fits with your brand and stick to it!
Please share your photos with us by tagging us on social media @whitespacedesignagency! We would love to see what you can accomplish with just a few little tweaks. Have fun out there!