title: "The Best Lighting Setups for Apparel Product Photography on a Budget" date: 2024-08-28 slug: /best-lighting-for-apparel-product-photography word_count: 1800 images: 6
The Best Lighting Setups for Apparel Product Photography on a Budget
Managing an online fashion shop? Trying to capture product photos without spending a fortune on high-end lighting equipment?
We have got you covered. With a little creativity and some DIY spirit, you can create effective lighting setups for your apparel product photography without breaking the bank.
When it comes to DIY product photography, lighting can make all the difference in the outcome of your photos. The key to great product photography is to have evenly lit products with no hot spots or glare. You also want to avoid deep shadows, as they can make your products look unappealing.
There are a few different ways you can achieve this, but we are going to focus on three main lighting setups in this quick guide. We will also highlight the benefits of using a product retouching service and how you can take a poorly lit image and make it look professional.
Table of Contents
- Guidelines for Apparel Product Photography
- Apparel Product Photography: Lighting Tips
- Why is Lighting Important in Apparel Product Photography?
- Apparel Product Retouching Services by Pixel by Hand
- FAQ
Guidelines for Apparel Product Photography
Before we jump into the different lighting setups, there are a few general guidelines you should keep in mind when shooting product photos. These will help you get the most out of your lighting setup and avoid common mistakes.
1. Always shoot in manual mode. This will give you full control over your camera settings and allow you to adjust them to get the perfect exposure. Shooting in manual mode lets you control the aperture (the size of the opening in the lens), shutter speed (how long the camera's sensor is exposed to light), and ISO (which determines how sensitive the sensor is to light).
2. Use a tripod. This will help you keep your camera steady and avoid blurry photos. The last thing you want is a blurry product photo uploaded to your online store. Not only does this look unprofessional, but it can also dissuade potential customers from buying your product. A tripod is especially important when shooting with a low shutter speed, which is recommended when doing a product shoot. With low shutter speed, you will be able to highlight all of your product's details and capture crisp, clear photos.
3. Use a remote shutter release or self-timer. A remote shutter release is a cord that plugs into your camera and allows you to take a photo without touching the camera. This eliminates any camera shake. If you do not have one, you can use the self-timer on your camera.
4. Shoot in RAW format so you can edit your images later if needed. RAW format gives you the most flexibility when editing your photos. You can usually choose between JPEG and RAW in your camera's settings menu.
5. Use a white balance card to get accurate colours. A white balance card is a small card that you hold in front of your product to help the camera calibrate the colours. This is especially important if you are shooting in artificial light. In eCommerce product images, colour accuracy is crucial to help your customers understand what they are buying. If the colours in your photos are off, it can discourage potential buyers.
6. Take multiple shots of each product from different angles and with different lighting to give yourself plenty of options to choose from later. Shooting from multiple angles will also help you capture details that may be missed in a single shot.
Now that you know the basics, let us jump into the different lighting setups.
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Apparel Product Photography: Lighting Tips
When it comes to shooting products, particularly clothing, there are three main lighting setups that we recommend:
Window Lighting
Window lighting is one of the most popular and simplest ways to shoot product photos. All you need is a window and a reflector.
To set up, position your product near the window so that the light is coming in from the side. Then, use a reflector to bounce light back onto the product and fill in any shadows.
You can use a white piece of foam board, a gold reflector, or even a silver reflector. Each will give you a different look, so experiment to see what works best for your products.
Pros:
- Completely free
- Easy to set up anywhere
- Produces naturally soft, flattering light
Cons:
- Can be unpredictable — if the sun moves behind a cloud, the light changes and you will have to adjust your settings
- Window light can be quite harsh, so you may need to diffuse it with a sheer curtain or piece of fabric
Single Mono Light Setup
If you want more control over your lighting, we recommend using a single light source. This can be either a natural light source like the sun or an artificial light source like a studio light.
When using a single light source, place the light directly in front of the product at a 45-degree angle. Then, use a reflector to bounce the light back onto the product and fill in any shadows.
Pros:
- Very versatile — works with both artificial and natural light
- You can control the intensity by moving the light closer to or further from the product
Cons:
- Can be time-consuming to set up
- You will need a reflector on hand to fill in shadows
Dual Mono Light Setup
If you want even more control over your lighting, we recommend using two light sources.
To set up, place one light directly in front of the product at a 45-degree angle. Then, place the second light behind the product and to the side so that it points towards the back of the product.
Pros:
- Creates more dramatic looks with deeper shadows and highlights
- Very versatile — works with both artificial and natural light
- Gives you maximum control over the final result
Cons:
- More time-consuming to set up
- You will need two reflectors to fill in shadows
- Higher equipment cost
Why is Lighting Important in Apparel Product Photography?
Lighting is important in apparel product photography because it can make or break your photos. Without good lighting, your photos will look flat, dull, and unappealing.
Good lighting will make your photos pop and give them dimension. It will also bring out the colours in your clothing and make them look more vibrant.
Additionally, good lighting helps you create different moods and atmospheres in your photos. If you want to create a feeling of sophistication, you can use softer, more diffused light. If you want to create a feeling of fun and excitement, you can use brighter, more intense light.
This is especially important when shooting dresses — the right lighting can make a dress look stunning, while the wrong lighting can make it look drab. For patterned shirts, the right lighting can make the patterns pop, while the wrong lighting can make them look muddy.
If you are shooting footwear like trainers, lighting can help to create different effects. For example, if you want to show off the detail, you can use a light that is placed directly on the shoe. If you want to create a more atmospheric photo, you can use a backlight.
It is essential to take the time to set up your lights properly and experiment with different looks until you find one that you are happy with.
Apparel Product Retouching Services by Pixel by Hand
Once you have taken your photos, it is time to send them off to be edited. At Pixel by Hand, we offer a variety of apparel product retouching services to help make your photos look their best.
With over 10 years' experience and 380+ clients worldwide, we understand the nuances of apparel photography. Photo retouching is the process of making corrections and enhancements to your photos — anything from removing blemishes and imperfections to adding contrast and saturation. In terms of lighting, image retouching can help to even out the lighting in your photos and make the colours pop. We can also help to correct any problems with the exposure, white balance, or levels.
We also provide other essential product editing services for eCommerce images which include removing backgrounds, adding shadows, and creating ghost mannequins.
See the difference for yourself. Send us your images for a free sample edit — we will show you what professional retouching can do for your apparel photography.
FAQ
What is the best budget lighting setup for clothing photography?
Window lighting is the most cost-effective option. All you need is a large window with natural light and a simple foam board reflector (under £5). Position your garment near the window with the reflector on the opposite side to fill in shadows.
Can I use LED panels instead of studio lights for product photography?
Yes. LED panels are an excellent, affordable alternative to traditional studio lights. They produce consistent, colour-accurate light and many models allow you to adjust both brightness and colour temperature.
How do I avoid harsh shadows when photographing clothing?
Use a diffuser between your light source and the product. A sheer white curtain, a piece of tracing paper, or a purpose-built softbox will all help soften the light and reduce harsh shadows.
Is natural light or artificial light better for apparel photography?
Both can produce excellent results. Natural light is free and produces beautiful, soft tones but is unpredictable. Artificial light gives you full control over intensity and colour temperature, making it ideal for consistent results across large product catalogues.
Should I edit my product photos after shooting?
Absolutely. Even with a perfect lighting setup, post-production editing ensures colour accuracy, consistent backgrounds, and a polished final result. Professional editing services like Pixel by Hand can handle this efficiently, allowing you to focus on your business.