Create 360-Degree Product Photos Yourself?

360-degree product photos are an impressive means of presenting products online in a way that allows the viewer to see them from all sides. Creating such shots in a photo studio requires precise planning, suitable equipment, special techniques, and plenty of experience. Here, we provide an insight into how extensive the creation of a 360-degree product photo is.

Here is a detailed description of the process:

1. Preparation of the 360-Degree Photo Studio

360-Degree Product Photos Large-Scale Production

  • Studio Setup: A photo studio designed for 360-degree photography needs sufficient space to position the product and equipment. The background is usually monochrome, often white, to present the product without distractions.
  • Lighting: Even lighting is crucial to minimize shadows and reflections. Typically, multiple softboxes, LED lights, or ring lights are used to illuminate the product evenly from all sides. Diffusers help to soften the light.
  • Turntable: At the center is a motorized turntable on which the product is placed. This turntable is computer-controlled and can rotate at set angles (e.g., 10 degrees) to ensure consistent shots.

2. Positioning of the Product

  • Product Placement: The product is carefully positioned on the turntable. It should be centered and stable to avoid unwanted movements during rotation.
  • Selection of the Frame: The camera is positioned so that the entire product is in the frame. The camera angle and focal length are chosen to minimize distortions and represent the product proportionally and realistically.

3. Camera Settings

  • Camera Selection: A high-quality DSLR or mirrorless camera is used, often with a macro lens or a standard lens with high resolution.
  • Manual Settings: To ensure consistent exposure, manual settings for shutter speed, aperture, and ISO are chosen. White balance is set manually to avoid color distortions.
  • Remote Control: The camera is often triggered by remote control or through specialized software to avoid vibrations and achieve precise, consistent shots.

4. Shooting Process

  • Automated Photography: The turntable is set in motion, and the camera takes a photo at each predefined rotation of the table. For 360-degree shots, typically 24 to 72 images are taken, depending on the desired smoothness of the animation.
  • Image Review: After each shot, it is checked whether the images are sharp and correctly exposed. Adjustments are made if necessary before the next rotation cycle begins.

5. Post-Processing of Images

  • Image Retouching: The captured images are edited in image editing software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop) to remove dust, scratches, or other irregularities.
  • Clipping: Often, the images are clipped to completely remove the background and present the product on a clean, neutral background.
  • Color Adjustment: Colors are adjusted to ensure consistent representation across all images.

6. Creation of the 360-Degree Viewing Tool

  • Creating Image Sequence: The edited images are assembled into a 360-degree animation using specialized software (e.g., Adobe Animate, WebRotate 360). This software arranges the images in the correct order and allows the user to interactively rotate the product.
  • Integration on the Website: The finished 360-degree view is embedded as an interactive element on a website. It can be implemented using HTML5, JavaScript, or special plugins, allowing users to view the product from any angle by clicking and dragging with the mouse.

7. Quality Control

  • Final Check: Before publication, the 360-degree view is thoroughly tested to ensure it functions smoothly on all devices and in all common browsers.
  • Fine-tuning: If necessary, final adjustments are made to ensure that the product is perfectly presented and the user experience is optimized.

8. Publication

  • Upload: The finished 360-degree view is uploaded to the customer’s website or online shop.
  • Marketing and SEO: Finally, SEO techniques can be applied to increase the visibility of the product pages, and marketing campaigns can be launched to promote the interactive product view.

This entire process requires technical expertise and precise work to ensure that the end result is professional, appealing, and user-friendly.

What does a completed 360-degree product photo look like?

We have taken thousands of 360-degree product photos since 2009. From all imaginable areas. You can see a small selection here.