Product photography at home: a simple setup that works

Great product photos come from controlled light and clean backgrounds, not expensive studios.

The basic setup

• A table next to a large window, out of direct sun
• A white sweep: a sheet of poster board curved from the wall onto the table
• A white reflector or foam board opposite the window to fill shadows
• A tripod to keep framing consistent across products

Camera settings

• ISO 100, aperture f/8 to f/11 for front-to-back sharpness
• Shutter speed as needed; the tripod handles slow speeds
• Custom white balance using a gray card
• Shoot RAW

Lenses

A 50mm to 105mm lens avoids the distortion of wide angles. A macro like the Sigma 105mm handles jewelry and small items.

Diffuse the light

If the sun hits the window, tape tracing paper or a thin white curtain over it for soft, even light.

Consistency

Mark the camera and product positions with tape so every product in a catalog has the same angle, size and light.