Product Photography Lighting: From Beginner to Pro Results

Why Lighting is Everything

In product photography, lighting isn't just important; it's everything. The same product can look cheap or premium, dull or exciting, purely based on how it's lit. Good lighting reveals texture, creates depth, eliminates unflattering shadows, and makes colours pop accurately.

Understanding Light Basics

Hard vs. Soft Light

Hard light creates sharp, defined shadows. It's dramatic but can be unflattering for products, revealing every imperfection. The sun on a clear day is hard light.

Soft light creates gentle, gradual shadows. It's more forgiving and usually preferred for products. Overcast days, softboxes, and diffused light sources produce soft light.

Light Direction

• Front lighting: Even, flat illumination; minimal shadows
• Side lighting: Creates depth and texture; reveals surface details
• Back lighting: Creates silhouettes or rim effects; adds drama
• Top lighting: Often unflattering; creates dark shadows below products

Natural Light Techniques

Window Light Setup

Natural light from a large window is free and beautiful:

1. Position product near a large window (north-facing ideal for consistency)
2. Use sheer curtains or a white sheet to diffuse harsh sunlight
3. Place a white foam board opposite the window to fill shadows
4. Shoot during overcast days for the softest, most even light

Golden Hour

The hour after sunrise and before sunset produces warm, flattering light. Perfect for lifestyle product photography with a premium, aspirational feel.

Natural Light Limitations

• Inconsistent throughout the day
• Weather-dependent
• Limited shooting hours
• Difficult to replicate exactly

Studio Lighting Setups

Basic Two-Light Setup

The foundation for most product photography:

1. Key light: Main light source, placed 45 degrees to one side
2. Fill light: Softer light opposite the key, reducing shadows

Three-Light Setup

Add a third light for more control:

• Add a backlight or hair light for separation from background
• Or use it to illuminate the background separately

Equipment Options

Continuous lights: Always on; easier to see what you're getting

• LED panels (affordable, cool-running)
• Fluorescent lights (soft, economical)

Strobes/Flash: More powerful; freeze motion

• Speedlights (portable, versatile)
• Studio strobes (powerful, consistent)

Modifiers

• Softboxes: Create soft, even light
• Umbrellas: Affordable diffusion
• Reflectors: Bounce and fill light
• Flags: Block light from hitting certain areas

Lighting for Different Products

Reflective Products (Jewellery, Glass, Metal)

• Use a light tent or surrounding diffusion
• Avoid showing light sources in reflections
• Consider gradient backgrounds for interesting reflections

Textured Products (Fabric, Food, Crafts)

• Use side lighting to reveal texture
• Avoid flat, front lighting that hides detail

Transparent Products (Bottles, Glassware)

• Light from behind for a glowing effect
• Use dark backgrounds for contrast
• Consider white background with backlight

AI Lighting Solutions

AI photography tools can transform poorly-lit images into professionally-lit ones:

• Shadow correction: AI fills harsh shadows naturally
• Highlight recovery: Brings back blown-out areas
• Simulated studio lighting: Adds professional lighting effects post-capture
• Colour accuracy: Corrects colour casts from mixed lighting
• Consistency: Applies identical lighting across entire catalogues

This means you can capture basic images with available light and let AI create the professional finish without expensive equipment.

ShopShot's AI creates perfectly-lit product images from any source photo. Upload an image with any lighting conditions and receive studio-quality results.