I once spent an entire afternoon trying to make a soap bar look attractive. That’s right, soap. It just sat there, smug and square, while I ran around adjusting lights like I was solving a crime scene. One moment it looked like a hospital supply, the next like a soggy marshmallow. Desperate, I grabbed a baking sheet, covered it with foil, and bounced light off it like some mad scientist in a kitchen-turned-studio. And just like that, magic. The soap looked dewy, fresh, and dare I say… seductive. That was the moment I realized: in product photography, lighting isn’t just part of the setup it is the whole setup. We will learn in detail about Product photography lighting.
What is Product Photography?
Product photography is commercial photography aiming to capture excellent images of products for good marketing and promotional purposes to present them in the best possible way to draw potential buyers.
The lighting used while capturing these commercial images is Product photography lighting. Let’s learn more about lighting.
What are the types of lighting in product photography?
Ideally, two main types of lighting used in product photography that is natural and artificial (studio lighting). Now let’s learn the types of lighting used in Product photography.
Natural lighting for an outdoor shoot:
Natural lighting is nothing but shooting outdoors using sunlight. Just because sun light is available all day, we cannot do out door shoot all day long, Best shooting time out door – The best times for natural light is just after the sunrise or just before the sunset this called golden hour.
Even during the blue hour which is just before sunrise and after sunset, This time also offers diffused and soft light, it’s some usually lower in intensity. Direct sunlight during midday can cast harsh shadows, leading to unappealing and distorted images so avoid shooting during midday so we need to avoid outdoor shoots during midday.
Studio lighting for indoor shoots:
Now let’s understand about artificial or Studio lighting which is used for indoor shoot. Flash lighting and studio lighting use powerful light bursts to illuminate objects in order to freeze motion or capture fine details. For this additional gear is required, like as strobe lights, triggers, and light modifiers like umbrellas or softboxes.
This kind of lighting is used by professional product photographers because it is adaptable and allows for dynamic lighting arrangements. Going further we will learn in detail about each of this equipment.
Equipment used in product photography?
We shall start with lightings, the best light for product photography includes strobe light, continuous lights, LED lights, speedlights, tungsten light bulbs, ring lights.
A strobe light
A strobe light, sometimes referred to as a flash or monolight, is a kind of artificial lighting that emits a brief, powerful flash of light. It is frequently used to overpower ambient light or freeze motion.
Continuous light
Then comes Continuous light If you can see the background and subject in real time thanks to continuous light sources. These lights, which include LED panels, fluorescent tubes, and tungsten bulbs, are commonly believed to be easier to use and comprehend, particularly for beginners.
Ring Lights
Then it’s about Ring Lights, these are round lights that are frequently used in product photography because of their distinctive lighting characteristics. They are perfect for taking close-ups of tiny items like jewelry, cosmetics, or food because they cast even, gentle light that reduces harsh shadows.
So now that we have understood about lights used in product photography, next let’s know more about how and were to place them for the best results.
Lighting Positioning
Having the best lighting equipment is not just enough, placing them at the correct angles is also important. This placement technique is called Lighting Positioning. The right placement of light will highlight product features and add the right atmosphere or mood to the entire shoot. Lighting can be from 3 directions Side Lighting, Back Lighting, Front Lighting.
Side Lighting
Side lighting is achieved by positioning the lighting sources 90 degrees from the camera. In order to highlight depth and texture for drama or more dynamic pictures, it casts harsh shadows on the product’s sides. Intense side lighting is especially beneficial for items with complex textures or features, such as jewellery, textiles, or sculptures.
Back Lighting
Back Lighting in this a halo effect is produced around the edges of the product when a light source is positioned behind the product and faces the camera. The product is distinguished from the background by the brilliant glow that results by back lighting.
By emphasizing the product’s edges, backlighting or rim lighting adds depth. However, it can also increase the transparency of items like glasses that have translucent or reflecting surfaces. To make a product stand out against the background, you might utilize this lighting position to draw attention to its outline or silhouette.
Front Lighting
Front Lighting the entire surface of the object is illuminated when a light source is positioned in front of it, facing the camera equally. This reduces shadows and provides the best possible view of the product’s details. This method exhibits hues, characteristics, and forms with remarkable precision and clarity. This lighting method is widely used in e-commerce photos that present things in a simple, minimalistic way.
Other Tools Used in Product Photography
Now that we have learnt about lighting, its types, and where to use it. So it’s time learn about other tools used, few of those tools are softboxes, umbrellas, diffusers, reflectors, and bounce cards. We shall learn in detail about each tool.
Softboxes
Softboxes are a type of photographic lighting modifier. Which Can be used for anything from portrait to product photography and produce some amazing results, try it out.
Umbrellas
Then we have Umbrellas, these are versatile lighting modifiers to create soft, diffused, and broad light sources, mimicking natural outdoor lighting and making them ideal for even illumination of products or scenes.
Diffusers
Next is Diffusers, diffusers are materials that scatter or soften light, creating a more even and flattering illumination, reducing harsh shadows and glare, and improving overall image quality.
Reflectors
After Diffusers, we have one more equipment known as Reflectors – reflectors are reflective surfaces used to bounce or redirect light onto the subject, helping to fill in shadows, add highlights, and create a more balanced and professional-looking image.
Bounce card
And then we have Bounce card – bounce card also known as a bounce board or reflector is a flat, reflective surface used to redirect or soften light, typically from a flash, to create a more natural and flattering look.
Product photography setup
Apart from the main lighting equipment, we also have a few more products to put together this complete setup. let’s learn about them.
Tripod
A Tripod Stabilize your camera with a sturdy tripod. It will help you keep framing and composition consistent ideally, a tripod with adjustable legs that will support your camera’s weight.
Backdrop
Backdrop The use of a backdrop depends on your artistic vision, but it offers a distraction-free product background. Popular options include neutral colors, seamless paper rolls, muslin cloth, wood or marble.
Tips to Set up Product Photography Lighting
Now that we have learnt about lighting, lighting equipment and other supportive products, I will share with you a few tips to begin your journey as a product photographer. You don’t need a fancy studio or a ton of gear to get great shots.
With a little know-how and some creativity, you can totally pull off professional-looking lighting right from home or your workspace.
Start with what you have. Natural light is your best friend when you’re just getting started. A bright window, preferably one with indirect sunlight, can do wonders. Just place your product near it and use a white sheet or curtain to diffuse the light — boom, soft and even lighting without harsh shadows.
You need to Diffuse Harsh, direct light can create strong shadows and make your product look flat or overly shiny. Whether you’re using natural light or artificial lights like LEDs or softboxes, always try to diffuse the light. Think: soft and flattering, not spotlight interrogation.
Position also matters. A good go-to setup is placing your main light at about a 45-degree angle from your product. Then, on the opposite side, use a reflector (or even a piece of white foam board) to bounce some of that light back and soften any shadows. If you want a more dramatic vibe, skip the fill and let the shadows add mood.
Mixing different light types like daylight and warm indoor bulbs, can mess with your colours. Try to stick to one consistent light temperature or adjust your camera’s white balance to match. You want your whites to look white, not yellow or blue.
Don’t be afraid to move things around. Lighting is all about trial and error. Take a few test shots, see how the shadows fall, and make little adjustments. Sometimes the smallest change, like moving a light back a few inches, makes a big difference.
So, here we are you’ve made it to the end! Hopefully, this deep dive into product photography lighting has made things feel a little less overwhelming and a lot more doable. I know lighting can sound technical or even intimidating at first, especially with all the talk of softboxes, color temperatures, and shadows.
But when you break it down, it’s really just about understanding how light behaves and using that to your advantage.
The truth is, great product photography isn’t always about having the most expensive gear or the fanciest setup. It’s about being intentional with your lighting choices knowing when to soften the light, when to go dramatic with shadows, or when to use natural light to your benefit. Even a window and a white sheet can do wonders when you understand the principles behind the scenes.
The most important takeaway? Practice. Test. Adjust. Then do it all over again. Lighting isn’t something you master overnight, but every time you shoot, you’ll get a little better at noticing what works and what doesn’t. Before you know it, you’ll be catching little highlights and reflections that used to escape you. And honestly, that’s when it starts getting really fun.
If you’re just starting out, don’t stress about having everything perfect. Start with what you’ve got. Use natural light during the golden hours, experiment with DIY reflectors, or try out different angles to see how shadows fall. The more you play around, the more confident you’ll become.
And if you’re already more advanced, challenge yourself, try new lighting setups, play with color gels, or go for that minimalist hard-shadow look that’s trending right now.
At the end of the day, lighting is what gives your product images their mood, their story, their polish. It can turn a simple object into something worth clicking, sharing, or buying. That’s the power of great lighting — and now, you’ve got the tools to make it work for you.
Thanks for hanging out and reading through this — seriously, it means a lot.
Keep shooting, keep experimenting, and remember — the best Product Photography light is the one you know how to use.
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