Here are Five product photography tips and tricks to get those creative juices flowing

Product photography is a lot of fun to experiment with, even if you’re not a product photographer. It can teach us things about composition, light and how different surfaces react to that light which we might not otherwise have discovered. But once you’ve gone past the basics, how do you push yourself to go that bit further?

In this video, the folks at COOPH offer up five great tips for creative product photography that you might not have thought of. Some will challenge your technical abilities while others are just to get those inspirational juices flowing.

Levitating objects

Coming out of the camera and through Photoshop is probably the closest we’ll ever get to actually seeing a hoverboard. But levitating objects, either by throwing them and hoping you get lucky with timing or by suspending them and removing the string in Photoshop, can be a great way to show off an item in an unfamiliar way that immediately grabs the viewer’s attention.

Flatlays

These have started to become more common of late, especially as more people want to show off their gear or new toys to social media. So, while the technique itself isn’t new, there are many different ways you can arrange or colour-coordinate those products in front of the lens to make them stand out.

Get hands-on!

Human interaction is always a good thing with products. But it can be difficult. Let’s face it. Most photographers aren’t exactly model material. But getting hands-on with the products in front of the camera, even if the hand is the only part you keep, can add that human touch not often seen in product photography.

Mirrors

Mirrors are notoriously difficult to work with. The big advantage of using them is that they reflect everything. However, the big disadvantage of using them is that they reflect everything. When you manage to pull off the look you’re after, they can be a mind-bender of Escher proportions, but they can be tough to arrange just perfectly. They’re worth the effort, though.

Natural Light

Natural light isn’t typically the first light source people think of when shooting product photography. Typically we use strobes, speedlights or some form of continuous light with the camera locked off on a tripod. But natural light can add a unique twist to our images that make them stand out amongst the crowd.

What are your favourite product photography tips and tricks to get you inspired?