Good product photography grabs attention. It pulls people in before they even read a word of your product description. One of the biggest factors in getting those clean, appealing shots is lighting. Whether you're snapping pictures of hand-crafted soaps or high-end electronics, lighting can completely change how a product looks. Harsh shadows can ruin details, while the right light placement can bring out textures and colors that weren’t obvious before.
Think of lighting as the foundation of your photo. If it’s not set right, everything else—even the best camera or editing software—won’t save the shot. With the right setup, even simple products can look high-end. That’s why it helps to understand the types of lighting, the gear that works best, and how to shape the light until your results are consistent and polished.
Lighting isn’t just about brightness. The type of light you use changes how your product looks and feels. Each light source creates its own mood and brings out different product details. There are four main kinds you’ll usually work with:
This is sunlight—simple, free, and available everywhere. It creates softer tones during early morning or late afternoon. These times are sometimes called golden hours. Natural light is great for lifestyle product shots but changes quickly with time and weather. That can make it hard to keep consistency across large batches.
This includes LED panels, softboxes, ring lights, and more. What’s helpful about continuous lighting is that you see the results right away. This helps with quick adjustments on the spot. It’s easy to shape and move, making it good for many product types.
Strobe lights give you one strong burst of light at a time. They freeze motion well and often provide cleaner, more color-balanced images. They can take longer to set up and may require more experience, but they’re helpful for sharper images and greater light control.
Sometimes a combination works better. You might use window light with an artificial fill light, or pair a strobe with reflectors. This mix helps tailor the lighting setup to shiny, dull, or textured products.
Choosing the right light depends on:
- How reflective your product is
- If it needs texture and detail emphasized
- Where your photos will be displayed (online, print, social media)
If your product has fine texture (like fabric or wood), soft continuous lighting works well. For shiny surfaces (like jewelry or glass), a strobe with proper modifiers can reduce glare and keep the image clean and striking.
You don’t need a full studio setup to take polished-looking photos. Some tools can give you better control over lighting, no matter your budget. Here are several items that will help improve your lighting straight away:
This can be an LED panel, softbox, or ring light. These allow you to control intensity and direction.
Reflectors bounce light back to fill in shadows. If one side of your product is too dark, a reflector helps balance the exposure without needing another light.
These soften light and reduce harsh shadows. Many clip directly to your light source or come built into softbox setups. They help control glare and give the photo a smoother, more even tone.
Good light stands make it easy to move and position your light at different angles and heights. It might seem like a small detail but makes adjusting your setup quicker and more accurate.
Even basic gear from beginner-friendly brands will do the trick. You don’t have to spend a lot right away. For example, some photographers use white foam boards as reflectors or thin curtains as impromptu diffusers early on. These can work in a pinch, but over time, investing in proper gear will save time and improve results.
It’s not just what gear you have, but how you use it. A well-placed light can bring out the best in even a low-budget setup. Pay attention to product texture, finish, and size as you plan your layout.
Once you've chosen your lighting and gathered your equipment, it’s time to put everything to use. Your setup doesn’t have to be complicated. A few small changes in light direction and distance can completely change how your product looks on camera.
Here’s a reliable setup many photographers use for tabletop product shoots:
1. Place your product on a plain, neutral backdrop.
2. Position your key light at a 45-degree angle to the side and slightly above the item.
3. Use a reflector or a soft fill light on the opposite side to lighten shadows.
4. Add a diffuser between the product and key light to soften the highlights.
5. Adjust the angles, take test photos, and tweak as needed to control shine and shadows.
This works as a base for most objects. If your product is reflective, like a bottle or chrome tool, move the lights around bit by bit. You want just enough shine to catch shape and texture but not so much that details wash out.
Jewelry and glossy boxes benefit from side lighting. Food items usually look better when lit from the front and slightly above. Textured goods like baskets or textiles show off best when side-lit, which adds subtle shadows that bring out dimension.
Change one thing at a time—where the light is placed, how far it is, or its intensity. Smaller tweaks lead to more control.
Once your basic lighting is in place, it's time to fine-tune. This means adjusting light levels, moving gear slightly, and reshaping light to make sure highlights pop and shadows stay in check.
If you’re working with shiny surfaces, raise the light and move it slightly backward to reduce direct reflection. For darker materials, bring the light source closer or brighten it slightly. You don’t want to risk losing detail, especially on black or deep-colored items.
Consistency is a big deal if you’re shooting a full product line. Using the same lighting arrangement across multiple images keeps your branding clean and your product line looking cohesive on the page.
Some small adjustments you can try:
- Tilt the reflector to bounce more light into darker areas
- Use a dimmer to tone down lights that wash out the texture
- Shift your product slightly to see how it reacts to the light changes
For example, if you're shooting a candle in a glass jar, you might use two reflectors on the sides and a diffuser above the product. This helps soften reflections while still making the wax and design elements look full and rich.
Take a few extra shots from multiple angles before wrapping up the shoot. You may find that a product looks better from a slightly higher view or when rotated just a bit. Let the product itself guide those final lighting tweaks.
Even with great lighting on set, your camera might not catch everything exactly the way you want. That’s why editing is the final step in getting the most out of your lighting.
Photo editing software can make minor light fixes like lifting shadows, adjusting warmth, or toning down a blown-out highlight. Keep your edits light and natural. The goal isn’t to recreate the product; it’s to reflect what it truly looks like at its best.
Some helpful post-editing adjustments include:
- Fixing white balance so the image doesn’t look too cool or too warm
- Raising dark shadows to show details in textured areas
- Pulling back highlights if glare is dimming parts of the photo
- Making small contrast tweaks to help items pop just a bit more
Avoid over-editing brightness or clarity. Overdoing these can make surfaces look weird or harsh. Always double-check before-and-after versions. If the product loses realism, dial it back.
Editing helps make up for small gaps in your lighting setup. But when the lighting is already strong, edits become quick and minor—less work for a better result.
Solid lighting makes product images stand out—and that can be the difference between someone browsing and someone clicking “buy.” From choosing the right light types to getting shadows just right and doing light touch-ups in editing, every small step adds up.
If you're serious about getting cleaner, sharper, and more eye-catching product photos, it’s worth focusing on how you position and use your light. Light can shape the entire vibe of your image. Whether you're prepping a new collection for your site or updating your current catalog, attention to lighting puts your products in their best light.
Showcase your products with consistent, high-quality photography that truly reflects your brand. If you're looking for expert guidance and photography solutions that impress, explore our commercial photography services to see how Connects 360 LLC can bring your vision to life. To get started, book an appointment or sign up for our email list today!
