Creative, commercial photographers.

The importance of shadows to the product photographer

April 30, 2010

Creating the right product image, where minimalism rather than clutter is currently fashionable, can produce singular shots, cleverly angled that get the shadows just right. It is the moody atmosphere of film noire that is recreated in a white hallway, where particular items are elongated by clever lighting and shadowing to create more depth and an ethereal quality to the photograph.

Modern furniture is, by its nature, very plain and shadow can soften the sharpness of the piece. Cleverly placed lighting creates the appearance of something far more complex, and time frame photography can also add interest. The predominance of black and white in an image can be interspersed with bits of colour, whether it’s the product that stands out in this way or something unrelated.

Certainly using shadows produces something up to the minute in design terms and the stark white background creates the perfect canvas for the product photographer to do their work. The clever use of mirrors also adds different dimensions to what essentially could be a very plain roomset. The viewer is then allowed a snapshot of life beyond the photograph.

Smaller pretty ordinary products can still be photographed using clever lighting, reflection and long shadows again to create that lure of the film noire to make the subject much more interesting. Whether the subject is a clock, bin, door knob or occasional table, the product photographer uses the shadow to frame the product in a highly provocative and commercial way.

A good commercial photographer in Leeds will certainly be able to use their creative skills to promote your products.