If you’ve ever thought about the most-oft used phrase “A picture speaks a thousand words”, you will just be skimming the surface about the importance of images. When it comes to online marketing, images play a pivotal role. It is because your prospective buyer will not be able to see the exact product or feel it with his hands. So, he needs to make the best of the image he sees on your website. Therefore, it is of prime importance that the image you display on your product page or category page should be not only of very high quality, but also speak volumes about the product. The image should be greatly detailed and free of any unwanted objects, marks or stains that could detract the visitor from getting a good view of the product.
It goes without saying that you should do comprehensive and professional image editing before you post them online. The first and foremost thing that you should concentrate on is to remove an irrelevant background. When you post images of your product the background should not prevent the visitor from getting a good look at the item. The background can be anything seen behind the subject in focus. Even shadows and reflections may form a part of the background.
Planning to post image of sunglasses on your website? Then you should definitely pay special attention to the shadows and reflection. While photographing objects that have glass or shiny surfaces, reflection is something that you can’t completely avoid. So, you should go for post processing techniques to play around with these aspects and use them to show your product in the best light.
During post processing, you should concentrate on are refining shadows and controlling reflections.
Refining Shadows
While posting sunglass pictures online, if you remove the shadows completely, then the image is sure to look bland and unnatural. Subtle shadows help give it a realistic touch. There are three types of shadows generally created when you’re photographing reflective subjects. They are natural, drop and reflective shadows.
A natural shadow can be created by using one light source with a reflector on the opposite side. Drop shadow, on the other hand, is created when the product is photographed under direct lighting. To give your web image a more realistic touch, add reflective shadows. It gives the impression that the product was placed on a reflective surface before being photographed. Almost like how the customer may see the glasses when the salesperson places it on the shiny countertop.
Whether you want to remove or edit such types of shadows, you can easily do it by creating multiple layers when you’re editing on Photoshop. Make a tight selection around the sunglasses frame, and use the oval selection to create new curves. Once done, soften and feather the edges, adjust the opacity and flatten the layers. The shadows will now enhance your subject and highlight its important features.
Controlling Reflections
Controlling image reflections is completely a new ball game when compared to optimizing shadows. Here, you should also take into consideration the light conditions and setup when the product was photographed.
If backlighting was used while capturing the photograph, then post procession should be relatively simple. This is because technically backlighting tends to cover up imperfections. Change the background to pure white and de-saturate any light spots or smudges, and you’re final picture is ready.
For products like sunglasses that have more reflections, both light set up during photographing and post processing should be done with great care, or your product may end up looking like a low-quality item. Side lighting can be very effective in such cases, and will require minimal post processing.
Metal frame sunglasses could again pose a problem for photographers as well as photo editors. Here, they have to deal with two reflecting surfaces – metal and glass. To capture such sunglasses, you should set up two diffused light sources and use side lighting to photograph. When side lit, the product doesn’t create too much harsh reflections, making it easy during photo editing. You can remove marks, smudges or any other imperfections using healing and cloning tools.