by Ron Knowlton

Awww, that product shot! You know it has to be just right, whether it's for an item you plan to sell in an online auction or on your web site.

Looking through the camera's viewfinder, it appears the lighting is perfect with just the right combination of shadows and light. Your product is in the right spot. You carefully aim your camera and shoot ...

But then the truth suddenly hits when you see the finished picture. You don't remember the shadows being soooo dark and the bright spots being soooo light ...

It's difficult, afterall, to see your subject exactly the way the camera sees it ...

Why "Cloudy Day" Lighting Is Just Right

The differences between shadow and light are much greater in your finished picture, in general, than they are when you see them with your natural eye. This is particularly true on a bright sunny day with the sun directly overhead.

However, there is one time when your eye will see the scene almost the same way as the camera. That's on a cloudy day - with light clouds in the sky (not real dark ones). The lighting is very even - there is little difference between light and dark. The shadows are soft - not very distinct. The bright spots are not very bright.

This is what you should aim for when you take your product photos - even, "cloudy day" style lighting!

Solution - Create a "Cloudy Day"

If you don't have a cloudy day, you may be able to "create" one indoors. How? By taking your product (we'll pretend it's a stuffed animal for this article) and placing it near a window - that has a light-colored (or white) curtain that allows some of the light to shine through. The curtain "diffuses" the light - meaning it decreases the difference between light and dark - giving your picture few dark shadows and few real bright spots - giving a "cloudy day" lighting effect.

With "cloudy day" lighting, you really don't have to worry much about the lighting, as your product will be lit evenly on all sides with very soft - or even no shadows at all.

Try to Imagine How the Camera Will See the Picture

One thing you should always do when you take your picture is to try to imagine how the camera will see it.

Remember, your eye sees it differently and it looks fine to you. The camera, however, will exaggerate the differences between light and dark. You want to reduce those differences if possible - with fewer dark shadows and less bright (or hot) spots.

Another thing to watch for is distracting elements - such as lighting patterns streaming across your photographic subject.

The light-colored curtain (that seemed so perfect a moment ago) can leave a checkerboard pattern of light across the face of your stuffed animal. That checkerboard of light may seem almost insignificant to you as you take the picture, but remember - the camera sees it - and it will in all likelihood, show up quite prominently in your finished picture.

Try a Plain Bed Sheet

Instead of a lacy curtain, you may want to try a plain white bed sheet (that has no patterns) to get rid of the patchwork of light. Just place the bed sheet between your strong light source and your stuffed animal (or product). In many cases this will work just fine.

However, at some point, you may want to consider a more "professional" solution - a photo light box (or lighting tent).

A "Lighting Tent" - Your Portable Photo Studio

If you have a lighting tent, put your stuffed animal in the tent. Move the tent to a spot where there is plenty of light (maybe even outside on a sunny day). The tent is like placing clouds between your strong light source (the sun) and your "stuffed animal" - or product.

Another benefit of the lighting tent, is that it's usually very easy to set up (in most cases) and you can take it down just as quickly and easily. It gives you an instant photo studio for your product shot!

Use Table Lamps in a Pinch

If you're in a hurry and can't find a spot with plenty of light, you may need to improvise. Find some strong table lamps and place them around the light box.

There are some lighting boxes (or lighting tents) that come with photographic lights (which makes it easy - you just plug the lights in and you have instant lighting). If you don't have photo lights, though, use what you do have - the table lamps or the sun - if it's sunny outside.

Practice Makes Perfect

Once you begin thinking about the lighting for your product shot, you'll soon start to notice small details (that the camera always sees) like dark shadows and lighting patterns on your subject.

After awhile, you'll begin to realize how the camera is viewing the shot and you'll start to make adjustments.

As in anything, it just takes practice and a little bit of patience.

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Ron Knowlton is a former photojournalist. He tries to help people take better pictures. Go to the How-To of Photography at: www.photographyschoolbooks.com Also go to www.helpyousucceed.com to read more of Ron's articles.