Color checkers help produce accurate colors in post-production. Matching your checker with your editing software can ensure that the colors that come out of your digital camera are as true to life as possible. This saves some hassle for those who already do this by automating the process. Even for photographers who aren’t interested in color accuracy, color checker cards can still be used to create a consistent set of colors to start editing with, which can be useful if you use multiple cameras with slightly different colors.
Air Puffer
When working with product photography, the devil is in the details, and in the details often comes dust. An air puffer is a cheap and easy-to-use tool in removing any loose dust that might catch onto an object when shooting. These often come with camera cleaning kits or can be bought for less than five dollars! Air duster cans can work even better and can be bought at most department or home appliance stores. Air puffers can also help remove dust on camera sensors, preventing small blemishes in your photos.
Translucent Color Sheets
Colored lights can help your photos stand out by creating a unique aesthetic and mood. While many professional-grade lights allow you to manually adjust their hue for the exact color you want, you can also achieve a similar effect with translucent color sheets. Usually plastic, they can be taped or clipped over your lights to change the color to something more unique, like red or blue! Vellum paper, an alternative to plastic, can also be used for a similar effect. While they are generally less durable and more expensive, they can also be used to soften light due to the fibrous nature of the material.
Spray Bottle
For shinier materials like glass, metal, or even glazed porcelain, a bit of dewiness can highlight the surfaces of your product and create a refreshing or clean mood in your photos. This can be accomplished with something as simple as a spray bottle! Typically any spray bottle will work, but the best kinds are ones with freely adjustable tips for flexibility in applying different kinds of dew effects. Try playing around with the fineness of the spray for different sizes and spacing of the water drops. For example, most soft drink advertisements emphasize the droplets on the bottles or cans, but a mistier spray can make a product glisten without drawing too much attention to the droplets themselves.
Fog Machine
Lastly, a fog machine is a great practical effect to either highlight or frame a product’s silhouette. It creates a mysterious and dramatic aesthetic that is perfect for products with a darker and more rugged mood. You can buy fog machines in various sizes and outputs, making it easy to find one that perfectly fits your needs and setup! If you do use one indoors, make sure that your room is well-ventilated.
Product photography can be difficult to get right, but is crucial to getting your products out to a larger audience. These are just some of the tools that can enhance your production.. If you’d like professional-level results right away, we at ProShot Media offer a multitude of services that cater to whatever your needs are, from solid-color background to lifestyle. Click the link below to schedule a consultation with your project manager and see how we can help fulfill your needs!
