The photography composition of the product shooting

As far as composition is concerned, it is important for any kind of product photography. The reason is that the smartphone camera has very flexible composition support for any photographer whether he or she is a novice or professional. If you like to shoot with a DSLR camera, then you have to adjust the external settings as well as the internal settings also. But in the case of a smartphone, you only have to adjust the composition through its internal settings like camera setting on third-party software or built-in software on the smartphone as well. For the product shooting through the smartphone, you will be able to use the composition grid for any product shot with dead accuracy as well. For the smartphone camera, the product shot will be highly challenging.

The reason is that product photography requires more room for creating the composition. In this respect, the smartphone camera gives enough room through its internal settings. Practically, you will be able to move easily around the product to select the best shot for it. It is observed that product photography will require special attention to compositional skill. The reason is that the photographer should keep in his or her mind that product photography is always based on the horizontal plane because not a single product could not be more than 2 feet (61 cm) in height. If this height is increased in a higher proportion, then you will find it difficult to frame the product accurately for composition. It is the norm for basic product photography. Another point you have to keep in mind that the smartphone camera has a limited ability to capture the long height of any subject due to the lack of an additional lens. It is happened due to the internal mechanism of the camera as well.

Even if you try to test it with your smartphone camera, then you will find its limitation as well. Logically, it is happened due to the deliberate restriction between smartphone size and its form. If you are keen on your feeling, then you will find that all smartphones are rectangular but all DSLR is in semi-square shapes as well. For any composition of a photo, you will always require some room along with the subject also which only can be found through the extra lens and other accessories which belong to the DSLR camera also. Therefore, for a smartphone camera, there is no option about it. Another point you have to consider when you are going to shoot a product under a lighting condition. The reason is that the accurate light measurement will say more about the product details and its liveliness as well. It is observed that for compositional purposes, a smartphone camera will need a more precise lighting source which could not be inconsistent. Therefore, you will be able to compose your product accurately.

If the light source is not consistent, then the White Balance and Exposure will be hampered as well. For the case of the smartphone camera, it is observed that the composition of a product on a tabletop shoot, will require a precise follow-up of photographic composition rules. It is very much important for every product shot as well. When you are going to create a good composition of your product shot, then you have to keep in mind that not all composition rules will be applied to product photography. Even, the smartphone camera follows the minimum compositional rules for product photography. Because its in-built settings make it easier for the photographer whether he or she is a novice or professional as well. Generally, for product photography, you will have to follow some composition rules like line, form, texture, focus, and others. But all the elements of photographic composition are linked with each other. It is true that when you follow a few rules then it will automatically be adjusted with other rules simultaneously without your knowledge as well.

When you are going to compose your product shot, then you will have to consider baseline, white space and focus for your photo composition. The rest will be automatically adjusted with smartphone camera internal settings. The smartphone camera is a point-shoot mechanism which invites all level of photographic experienced people. Therefore, people get enough time to compose their products precisely as well. For composition purposes, the rule of thirds is used most of the time in product photography. It is the primary rule of photographic composition. Because first, you have to frame a product on your camera with a sharp focus. So that your viewer will be able to see your product shot in detail and it will give a detailed view of the overall composition as well. After that secondly, place your product off the centre on the screen which will lead your eye to the subject and it will make a believable shot also. Thirdly, you have to compose the product shot based on the baseline which means that whether it will be on the horizontal or vertical baseline. It will depend on the height of the subject as well.

Rule of Thirds

It means that a plane will be divided with nine squares of equal size, with two horizontal lines intersecting two vertical lines. Therefore, it will create drama and interest in a plane. The existence of the rules of thirds also visible in mother nature as well. Even you will find it all over our surroundings also. But one thing is sure that it always simulates the visual easiness for looking on a subject which soothes our eyes and imagination. If you look deeply into your mind, then you will see that our mother nature also follows the rules of thirds. But for the product shoot, creates a balance between aesthetics and visualization as well. Most of the case, you will find that the rules of thirds are being used for product photography also. Honestly speaking, it is true that the rules of thirds are one of the weakest composition guidelines among all composition rules. Still, it is used extensively all over the place also. As a photographer, I also benefited from the Rules of Thirds principle when the clients are asking for a quick shot of a product. If you are like to compose critically according to the special order from the clients, then this principle will never give you a better result. Always keep in your mind that the Rules of Thirds is for the quick composition of a subject whereas the other composition principles are for specific purposes only. Even, you will find that the Rules of Thirds is a fool-proof composition principle for any kind of photography as well.

For product photography, it is good for the straight forward tool for composition guideline. Now the question is that should we follow the rules of thirds. You should follow this composition guideline for product photography. The reason is that it will give you a good composition for your product shooting as well. The main problem with the rules of thirds is that it just placing the main parts of your image at arbitrary points on a grid and it directs your eye straight to the picture as well as you could not move your eye towards any diagonal direction. Even if you like to get full proof for the composition of the product photography, then you can try other composition guidelines which will be discussed in the later lectures.

Triangles

It is called The Golden Triangles. It divides the frame with a diagonal line going from one corner to another. The main purpose of this composition guideline is to convey a strong feeling like aggression, stability, compassion, caring, instability and others. For product photography, triangles can be used when the product which you are going to shoot should convey one of these feelings as well. In this context, you will have to read the product carefully and make the final decision about how you will be able to apply triangle composition in your product shooting. Generally, the triangles are being used in architecture, landscape and movie as well.

Spiral

It has different names which people called like a Fibonacci spiral, Golden Spiral, Phi Grid, Divine Proportion, or the Golden Mean. This composition guideline is very much pleasing and balanced for the human eye. The reason is that it steers the human eye around the picture and take into the centre point of the subject as well. Therefore, product photography, it brings visual happiness to the product picture. It also helps to lead the viewer through the entire photo. The Golden Ratio or Spiral also called 'nature's number' because it is said to appear everywhere in nature, from the nautilus shell to the sunflower.

Diagonal

It represents a balanced composition of dynamically intersecting and crossing parallel and diagonal lines, the result of viewing and framing the subject from a particular angle. Practically, diagonal composition creates a feeling of movement. For product photography, it makes little impact on product composition.

Rule of Odds

It means that when you are arranging more than one product in the product shooting with your smartphone, then you should always rely on the odd numbers (3,5,7,9,11,13,15 .etc.). Among all these odd numbers, 3 is the most powerful odd number for photo composition. When you are going to shoot the product photography, always try to use a set of three in the composition if you are shooting more than one product. The reason is that the odd numbers always force your eye to move around the group. Therefore, it makes the composition more appealing and memorable as well.

Therefore, the composition of product photography not only develops the accurate sense of good photography but also creates the aesthetic mind of a photographer as well.