They say a picture is worth 1,000 words. With the increased popularity of online shopping, this statement is becoming more true than it ever was before. If you sell products online, your photos must accurately present your offerings to current and prospective customers. Fortunately, website photography is something that you can handle fairly easily yourself.

Here are eight tips for creating picture-perfect eCommerce photos:

1. Follow The Rule of Thirds

Photos created using the rule of thirds are aesthetically appealing.

What is the rule of thirds, you ask?

Envision four lines with two placed parallel and the other two vertical, producing nine balanced squares. Most photos have the best impression with the focus in the middle square.

However, placing the object of the photo off-center can produce a more pleasing result. When utilizing the “rule of thirds,” the eyes follow the frame of the photograph, allowing them to focus more on the subject.

2. Keep it Steady

Before you take any photos, you need to know how to correctly hold the camera. It may seem simple, but how you hold your camera affects how the image turns out. Ideally, you should use both hands with one around the body of the camera and the other around the lens.

Hold the camera close to your body for support to create a clearer image. A shaky camera creates blurry photos. If you have one, using a monopod or tripod may be to your advantage. However, if you have neither, use a wall to steady the camera.

3. Create Depth

When taking photos of landscapes, think about those viewing them. Create a feeling of depth to make the viewer feel as if they are actually there. This is an especially helpful tip for tourist locations like hotels and resorts. Place a person or object in the foreground to create a sense of scale and highlight the distance.

Accomplish this by using a wide-angle lens for a panoramic view. Also, a small aperture with a slower shutter speed maintains a crisp background and foreground. If possible, use a tripod to keep the camera steady.

4. Keep it Simple

When it comes to website photography, keep it simple. Avoid things that would be a distraction in the photo. For example, choose a simple background with unfussy patterns and neutral shades. For further assistance with background and lighting, product shadow boxes can be used to capture pictures of products.

The subject of your photo is up to you. The objective of your website’s photos is to focus the viewer’s eye on the image rather than colors or other objects in the background. This is crucial in photos where the subject is situated off-center.

5. Forget the Flash

There’s a reason many museums and other locations prohibit flash photography. Flash can be glaring and unnatural, especially for portraits taken indoors. There are many ways you can take photos inside without using a flash.

Take advantage of the broadest aperture you can on your camera. This way, additional light reaches the sensor to produce a finely blurred backdrop. Using an Image Stabilization lens (I.S.), the correct camera-holding technique, or a tripod is the ideal way to prevent blur.

6. Set the ISO

The ISO setting on your camera determines how sensitive it will be to light and the fineness of the grain in your photo. Choosing the right ISO depends on your circumstances. For example, in the dark, you need to adjust the ISO higher.

These numbers are best since they make the camera more sensitive to light and avoid blurring. On sunny days, choose an automatic setting. You will have more natural light to work with than you would on more overcast days.

7. Photograph in Motion

If you take photos in motion, try using the panning method. To do this, keep your subject in view with your finger halfway down the shutter to maintain focus. Once you are ready, take the picture.

Remember to follow your subject as they move. This is especially helpful when using live models to create more life-like shots of your products in use. Use a monopod or tripod if you can to prevent camera shake, create a clearer image, and obtain translucent movement lines.

8. Set Your Shutter Speed

To create unique effects, try different shutter speed settings. When you take photos at night, use a tripod. Then, try taking your photo with the shutter speed set at four seconds. This will create clearer photos, even in the dark.

The movement of the subject is captured together with a few light trails. By selecting a faster shutter speed, the trails shorten. This makes them less vivid and freezes the action. Use this method when utilizing a tripod and taking photos of moving objects.

Need Picture Perfect eCommerce Photos?

With this advice, you can create picture-perfect photos for your eCommerce or another website. If you’re still not confident in your website photography skills, don’t worry. Contact Links Web Design for a free consultation and assistance in choosing the best eCommerce photos to represent your products or services online.

Links Web Design is a Website Design Company in Bangor, ME, and Fruitland Park, FL.