Studio lighting

Studio lighting refers to the controlled illumination used in professional product photography. Unlike natural light, studio lighting is consistent, predictable, and can be shaped to create specific effects that showcase products in their best light.

Key lighting equipment

• Softboxes: Diffuse light for soft, even illumination
• Diffusers: Soften harsh light from any source
• Reflectors: Bounce light to fill shadows
• Light tents: Create even, wrap-around lighting for small products
• Continuous vs strobe: Constant light or flash for different needs

Common lighting setups

Different products benefit from different lighting approaches:

• Two-light setup: Main light + fill for balanced illumination
• Three-point lighting: Key, fill, and backlight for dimension
• Tent lighting: Even, shadow-free light for reflective products
• Rim lighting: Highlights edges for dramatic effect

Consistency matters

For ecommerce catalogs, consistent lighting across all products is crucial. Shoppers expect products to look similar in style, and inconsistent lighting makes a catalog look unprofessional and reduces trust.

AI and lighting

Modern AI tools can simulate professional studio lighting effects, allowing you to adjust the apparent lighting of product images after they're taken. This is particularly useful for normalizing lighting across products shot in different conditions.