Product Photography Tips: Sunglasses

As with any product, the need to properly photograph sunglasses for display purposes can never be overstated. Whether it’s for your online catalogue or your brick-and-mortar store, some basic understanding of product photography is essential.

Shooting sunglasses are particularly tricky because of the frame and lens that tend to reflect everything around them. Also sometimes, no matter what technique or extra equipment you use, the glare won’t seem to disappear. If you think you are done with challenges after finding the best deals on wholesale sunglasses, you are absolutely mistaken. Things will only be more exciting (and gratifying) as you go along.

Below are a couple of product photography tips for sunglasses that will hopefully help you with your store.

Photo credit: flickriver.com

Eliminate lens reflection

For the simple reason that they are capable of direct reflection, this one can get very tricky. The goal is to fill all angles with the color white, hence making the “reflections” white. It’s a matter of trial and error – if you identify the cause of the reflection, then you will find a way to control it.

On white background

It is common practice to shoot sunglasses on white background. For this, try a soft and diffused shadow, otherwise it may result to that undesirable “cropped image” look. However if you prefer excessive exposure on direct light, the shadow will appear. While there is nothing wrong with it especially if it’s what you’re aiming for, you are losing the very essence of product photography which is excellent product presentation.

Composition 

Photo credit: flickriver.com

When shooting a pair of sunglasses, always remember these three things: 1) position it in such a way that the customer is given an inside view of the frame, 2) no parts of the sunglasses should overlap, meaning one part will not touch the other, and 3) yes, very important – little to no reflection.

These are some basics. In future blog posts we’ll explain to you how important photography for retail marketing really is and we’ll give you tips on how to photograph models for catalogues.