Getting the perfect product shot: How to light a product on a white background

 

 

Curtis Judd focuses on creating content to help people become better videographers, but he's also a photographer (he considers photography a "specialized variation on filmmaking"). His latest video is about lighting for product shots.

The tutorial is aimed at shooting a video of a product on a white background, but the lessons apply to photos as well. You don't need too much fancy gear for this, although a powerful light certainly helps. The white background is a simple piece of foamcore, the single overhead light is an Aperture Light Storm COB 120t and it's aimed through an umbrella.

Check out the video below for some good tips and tricks on how to light a product shot on a white background. I particularly like his simple but effective method of framing the product for a video.

For more from Curtis Judd, visit his website. For a couple of videos with lessons easily applied to photography, see this video about white balancing your camera using a gray card and this one which discusses the PixelAddix Grip Reflector.

(Seen via ISO 1200)