Your customers are looking for a product that is similar to yours. But when too many products are listed on the website, how do you make your product photograph stand out? Today, we will discuss product photography angles and how you can best use them.
Product photography is vital for an eCommerce business. We also know that your product photographs will make or break your eCom sales. One of the crucial factors determining those sales is your photography angles.
If you are wondering which angles you should use for your product photography or what angles best suit your product, you are at the right place. Without further ado, let's dive in!
There are six different angles in photography that will help ramp up your sales. These are -
Most photographers often have a go-to angle. This is an angle they are most comfortable with. While it's perfectly fine to know one shot that works best for the product, leave space for experimenting. Take photos from different angles. Your winning shot can simply be an angle away.
One of the most reasonable ways to see what shot works best for your product is by seeing what your competitor brands are using.
Here is how you do it -
We went through some pictures of a tote handbag from Coach (for mother's day). While scrolling through Coach's website, one particular handbag grabbed our attention.
We noticed that the bag was shot from different angles. There was a front-view photograph of the bag, which was the first picture we came across before we clicked on it.
Followed by the front view image, there was a 45-degree angle image of the same. This angle showed how the bag looked on the side and the backside.
There was a picture of the bag from the back view angle and a couple of shots from the top angle that clearly showed how the bag looked on the inside. Finally, there was a clear close-up view of the buckle on the front top side of the handbag.
A picture of the side view of the bag wasn't really needed. The 45-degree view got that covered. Other than that, most of the shots we will discuss today were used by Coach to photograph this particular tote handbag.
The angles you will use for your product's photography will ultimately depend upon two main factors - the product type and the design. So which shots should you use?
Source: Digital Photography School
Now, if you are thinking about which angles you should use for your product photography, the answer is - the angles that will help sell your product.
Above, we told you about a tote bag we were looking for as a mother's day gift. In this case, Coach used only the angles that best helped their customer (in this case, me) understand their handbag's features and intricate details on the same.
Understand this. Each of your shots will cost you money. Hence, you must take photos that will only benefit you and your sales in the long run. In short, your product images should sell your product.
Photograph designs and features your customer will need to make an informed decision. You can definitely put up more pictures for your customers; however, be mindful of the angles you take your shot from.
Let's dive into the six major product photography angles. Bookmark this post for later.
The front angle is one of the most commonly used angles. In product photography, nine out of ten times, you will be using the front-angle view to photograph your product. This image is usually the first one you will see when you are on a product hunt online.
The front angle is easy to take and primarily shows the product's key features. Your customers, in this way, can get a good view of the front of the product before they invest in it. If any detail on the front of your product is worth noting, this angle will give you the best shot.
The profile angle is often the second image in the gallery. This angle is essential when there are more details on the side of the product.
When taking a side profile photography shot of your product, make sure the image is clear. You will best be able to take profile photos with the help of good background and a tripod (to avoid taking shaky pictures).
If there are two sides to your product and both sides have different features or details, first photograph the side that has more crucial information or features. And then take a different picture for the other side.
Footwear, toys, vehicles, and machines are examples of products that can use this angle.
Diagonal composition, also known as the 45-degree angle, is the angle that will help you showcase two different sides of a product in one picture.
All the shots we will discuss today will help you capture essential details of your product. However, no other angle mentioned will help you capture the most details like a 45-degree angle shot will.
It is also necessary to note that the shot doesn't have to be accurately a 45-degree angle image. There is no need to sit and measure the distance and angle. But play around with the exact grade, and take photos from different angles until you get all the necessary details in one picture.
Furthermore, if you are shooting similar products, take note of the possible angle. This will help save precious time.
The back angle shot is necessary for any product with information on the back. At the same time, the back shot is also one of the last images shown on display, mainly because the backside of most products doesn't have fancy details.
It is best advised to keep this shot relatively simple and not complicate it. Using a tripod and a simple white background would be the best option.
Lastly, if your product does have intricate details like the logo or any design on the back, take a clear shot of the same.
Books, toys, and medicines are products that mostly have details on the back.
Depending upon whether your product needs one, the top shot can be either your best picture or a "could have been better" picture.
A shot from the top gives your customers a bird's eye view of your product. This works best when there are too many similar products to show or when you have a bundle of different products.
If the products are of different sizes, one product can obscure another one. You can lay your products flat and take a picture from the top. And a top-down photo can help individually focus on each product.
It is often difficult to get the angle and lighting right while taking a steady shot from the top. But if done correctly, this could be your winning shot.
Got a design on your product that can grab attention? This is your cue to photograph it.
Macro shots highlight important branded details, unique features, designs, and materials that can give your customers a better understanding of the product.
Photograph those areas of your product that can more likely be the main selling point of your product. Zoom in to take the macro shot and take it from the right angle. Focusing on little things like these can help build a customer's trust and reduce return rates.
There we go, folks! Those were the 6 popular product photography angles that can change your eCommerce game for good. Now go and ace your product photoshoot!
But before you go, there is one last thing you should consider. In photography, the most normal shots can often help us get excellent results. Here are three underrated viewpoints you can try and play around with.
An eye-level shot is the most common shot, and you are most likely going to use this. In this type of shot, the picture is taken directly looking at the product from a flat angle. A flat-angle shot is simple and will capture all of the necessary details of the product.
If you are looking to dramatize your photo, taking a low shot is a good idea. Low shots are great when you want to emphasize the subject's height or scope. In this type of shot, your product will look more prominent. Your camera will be placed next to the bottom of your subject, looking up. This shot will work great for buildings.
This shot is the opposite of a low shot. This shot works well for products that are of a smaller size. A high-angle shot is also used when taking a 45-degree angle photo. This shot is perfect for products like hair gel, face wash, etc., where the lid has specific details or branding.
You are now well equipped with information on the different angles in photography. Now go and make that sale using what you learned!
With the help of applications like DoMyShoot, you can now take accurate shots of your product using only a smartphone. DoMyShoot allows its users to select the choice of product and the website and edit multiple images at once.
DoMyShoot can automate getting the right angle for your product according to the marketplace guidelines and save you time and cost. Try DoMyShoot today!