In recent years, product images have reigned as the primary digital asset for competitive online sales. Many businesses, including yours, are likely exploring or implementing 360s, but a significant issue is the lack of understanding about the 360-degree product photography process. Don’t worry! In this article, we’ll share with you the best tips for successful 360-degree product photography to draw the attention of more viewers while making your product stand out.
How to Click 360-Degree Product Images?
360 product images are created by taking a series of still images of a product (such as 24, 36, or 72) using a specialized 360 photo turntable that rotates on a single plane. The turntable rotates and stops at specified degree intervals, triggering the camera shutter to capture an image at each interval. The images are then displayed in 360 view software that plays in a browser, allowing customers to rotate, pan, and zoom in on the product.
Benefits of 360-degree Product Photography for Your Online Business
Determining whether 360-degree product photography is worth the investment depends on the product itself. If your products are multi-dimensional and have features that customers would want to see and engage with, then investing in 360 product photography can increase sales. For example, backpacks have interesting features on all sides, so 360 images are a good fit as customers can rotate and zoom in to see specific areas. Customers can control the product rotation and view angles they’re interested in using their mouse.
If your products are flat, single-dimensional, or immediately recognizable to the customer, still product images should suffice. For example, socks are an obvious product where a still image is sufficient. So, spinning socks images wouldn’t make a difference. However, for many other products, like a ring, watch, sunglasses, and more, 360-degree product photos can provide significant benefits, including increased sales and reduced returns, as they help customers see the product from all angles and make informed purchase decisions.
Tips for Successful 360 Product Photography
Here are the five best tips to consider for great 360-degree product photography:
1. Understand Individual Objects
To achieve success with 360 spin product photography, accurately representing the product is crucial. Unfortunately, many professional photographers and studios often overlook this and fail to understand the individual objects themselves before starting the shoot. It’s essential to understand the physical characteristics of the product before setting it up, as this will save time later.
The product should determine the stylistic approach to 360 photography. It’s highly recommended to spend some time getting to know the product before capturing 360-degree images. For instance, if the object is round, consideration must be given to the edges for background removal in post-processing.
If the object is reflective, lighting sources must be carefully managed to avoid them becoming visible during the 360-degree spin. Spending a little time upfront will ensure a beautiful 360-spin product shoot.
2. Use a twin-axis Approach to show more Features of a Product
Twin-axis 360 product photos provide a better visual experience by rotating the product not only from left to right but also from top to bottom. However, not all products require this feature, as some can be adequately displayed by rotating in the horizontal plane. For products with intricate details, the twin-axis approach is recommended for the best showcasing. This method requires more photos and advanced software features, but the result is worth the investment.
3. Choose the Right Equipment for Photography
Selecting the appropriate equipment for a shoot is crucial. We highly recommend the Canon R line of cameras due to their durability, dependability, ease of use, and exceptional image quality. They are an excellent addition to any studio, providing live-view and silent shutters. The RF lenses contribute to producing top-tier 360 views. We have tested the basic RF kit lenses against some of Canon’s best macro lenses and have found no functional difference in image quality. With careful planning and a modest investment, the best 360 product photography is achievable.
4. Use a 360-Degree Lightbox
This is about both equipment and time-saving techniques.
A lightbox specifically made for 360-degree photography can be a game-changer. These light boxes are designed with a built-in turntable and lights positioned strategically for optimal 360-degree product photography.
Some lightboxes even come with a movable camera mount for twin-axis shots. While post-production is still required, using a lightbox like this can significantly reduce the amount of work needed on each image, particularly when it comes to creating the perfect white background.
5. Ensure your ECommerce Platform is Compatible with 360-Degree Photos
Nowadays, most leading eCommerce platforms are compatible with 360-degree photos, but your platform may not support them by default. If that’s the case, you might have to install a plug-in or other specialized software to enable their use on your website. Therefore, it’s important to check beforehand if your online store will allow the use of 360 product photos.
Conclusion
360 product photography is a growing trend that benefits both customers and sellers by providing a complete and realistic view of the product. This article discusses the advantages of 360 product photography and provides tips on how to perform it with the right equipment. Even if you don’t have the budget for the right equipment or software, Product Photo provides amazing photography services at affordable product photography pricing. Need our services? Contact us today for discussing your product photography requirements.