If you have a project that requires photographing fashion shoes, you may be wondering how they get them looking so good online and in magazines. Well, look no further, because this article will give you some hints and tips on how to shoot shoes like a pro.
Don’t Let Fashion Shoes Droop
One of the biggest rules of taking photos of fashion shoes is that you want to make it appear as though someone is wearing them, this will allow people to imagine what they will look like whilst they’re wearing them.
If the footwear looks limp and lifeless you can use newspaper to stuff the inside of the shoe to help it stand upright, as well as using dental floss to hold the straps up while you take the photo.
Don’t Clutter the Frame
When taking photos of shoes in order to sell them, it’s important that you don’t clutter the frame. The best option to avoid this is to use an all-white or single block colour background that contrasts the shoes in a complementary way to help them stand out. This will help you draw maximum attention to the product and will give people a clear indication of the detail in the shoes.
Use Soft Lighting
In photography, lighting is one of the most important aspects when it comes to taking a good photo. Lighting that is too harsh and direct can create deep shadows, whilst this may be good for some types of photography, product photography is not one of them.
To make the product look more appealing it is best to use softer lighting and there are a few options for this. Natural light is by far the most cost-effective option, you can either sit the fashion shoes inside next to a window and use a sheet to diffuse sunlight that is too direct. If you have no choice but to use natural light outside, then ensure you go to the most shaded area you can find so you get the right balance. Or if you have a bit more of a budget, you can rent a studio softbox, which uses soft artificial light.
Don’t Use a Blurry of Soft Focus
Just like lighting, different lens focus can look good for different types of photography but when it comes to product photography, you want to ensure that the product is well and truly in focus. Ensure that the high aperture is on and that you are using a tripod to eliminate the shakiness that can often come with freehand photography.
Get as Many Angles as Possible
Getting as many angles as possible will help ensure that you have plenty of options when it comes to choosing the final pictures. This will also allow you to establish what works and what doesn’t and depending on the type of fashion shoes you’re using; the right angle may be different for each.
Practice
Photography, like many things, is something that can be improved with practice. So go out, buy a pair of fashion shoes and get practising.