They say that a picture communicates more effectively than a thousand words. They express that a picture communicates more effectively than a thousand words. There's something in images - especially when it comes down to online shopping.
Have you ever come through someone's Etsy listing or noticed product pages that included a detailed description of the item but featured no visuals, or the provided image was blurry?
- How do you react when you see that?
- Don't they have some "beauty" about the specific product to show to the world?
The Power of eCommerce Product Images -
Exceptional product photos set the stage for a seamless buying experience. Buyers are more inclined to trust your business if the item looks nice and the photo appears professionally done. The process of stimulating purchases and courting repeat customers begins with great product pages and professional-looking product photos.
Awesome quality product photography is one of those critical things you can prioritize to elevate an eCommerce brand's image and ascertain the value of the things you sell.
And to make my points clear - it’s not just marketers or commercial photographers who recommend so:
- 75 percent of online visitors look for product photos before deciding on a potential purchase.
- Photos and visual posts are the most-used content formats to grow audience engagement.
- A study published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers claimed that a product's "quality" factor is directly associated with a higher possibility that a particular product will be sold.
Hence, one of the most asked-about and important aspects of an online shop is its photos.
A prospective purchaser has only his device (desktop or mobile) to envision your item. You want to try to convey in a photo what one would see and feel if they could touch the item physically. What is the color, the size, the texture?
Product photography for your online store lets you visually provide enough experience, information, and context about the products. With these five simple hacks, you can take skillful pictures of your items like the best in the business.
Hard Light v/s Soft Light
There is a science to good lighting. When taking product photos, it’s best to avoid hard shadows. A “hard shadow” occurs when the light source or available light size is smaller than the object being photographed.
If you took a photo of a large handbag with only one overhead light, your image would have hard shadows. Contrarily, soft shadows are recommended when the light source size is more extensive than the object.
The best way to guarantee soft shadows is to shoot where you get a lot of natural light (like by a big window) or outdoors. Likewise, you can soften and diffuse the light of your flash by covering your camera’s flash with white tape or a white bag.
Get a Pure White Background
Amazon requires an RGB 255 x 255 x 255 background for product photos, and with good reason. An all-white space creates the perfect backdrop to highlight your items and bring product details into focus.
Even on your other marketplaces or websites where you can have a variety of photo layouts, it’s a good idea to include a few product pictures with a pure white background to offer clear, unobstructed views of the item. You can accomplish this with a lightbox or an infinity curve.
An infinity curve is set up when you place a white piece of paper or fabric upright and gently bend it so the bottom is horizontal to the floor.
Cameras
You cannot truly showcase your products with a camera phone. Why? Because the lens is not as advanced as a real camera, and the pixel ratio is much lower. If you are ready to invest in a camera for your business, I advise purchasing a Nikon. Nikon is famous for having the best lenses for crisp detailed photos. On the other hand, Canon is much better for film recording. Of course, it is also a question of taste. Some people will disagree and prefer Canon to a Nikon.
Experiment with Macro Setting
Most cameras have a setting hardwired into the lens that allows you to take closer-than-usual photos. This setting, called Macro, is often accessed by pressing a tulip-like icon on your camera. If you sell tiny products – like jewelry, beads, collectible coins, etc. – this setting can help bring your products into focus and offer a different, more unique perspective. If you take your product photos with a smartphone, read this tutorial on making a DIY Macro lens for your smartphone for free.
Tripod?
Finally, a tripod. You may feel as if you are holding relatively still, but many cameras can pick up even the tiniest of shakes, causing your photo not to be as clear as you would like. Etsy sellers (individuals) rarely use a tripod because of set-up limits, as it doesn’t allow them to get close enough and easily get the angles they would like. So they often use the table to stabilize the camera. Take lots of photos from different angles. Hold your tracing paper to move it around and play with different amounts of light.
Size & Dimension
Lastly, you want a way to convey the item's size and what it looks like. Descriptions are great, but rarely is a customer going to sit down and break out a ruler to see what the dimensions you listed look like. They are going to go by your photos. So find a way to show size. Hold it in your hand, put it next to an object such as a coin, and show it so if it is an item to be worn. Suppose you can get someone to model it for you; wonderful. And if not, get a mannequin bust to do the job for you. They don’t complain, and they work for free.
Final Words…
Ready to revamp your eCommerce website to increase conversions? Review your existing product images and work further on nail-perfect product pages. Don't forget to double-check whether your website is set up to discourage shopping cart abandonment.