What are some creative ways to add contrast and interest to white background product photos?

1 Choose the right lighting

Lighting is one of the most important factors in creating a white background, as it affects the exposure, color, and mood of your photos. Ideally, you want to use natural or artificial light that is soft, even, and diffused, as this will help you avoid harsh shadows and highlights that can ruin the white effect. You can use a light tent, a softbox, or a reflector to create this type of lighting, or you can shoot near a window with a white curtain or paper to filter the light. You can also use a backlight or a flash to illuminate the background and make it appear whiter.

2 Use a white backdrop or surface

Another essential element in creating a white background is the backdrop or surface that you place your product on. You can use a white paper, fabric, foam board, or wall as your backdrop, or you can use a white table, shelf, or floor as your surface. Make sure that the backdrop or surface is clean, smooth, and free of wrinkles, stains, or textures that can distract from the product. You can also use a curved or seamless backdrop to create a smooth transition between the background and the surface, and to avoid any edges or corners that can break the white effect.

3 Adjust the camera settings

To achieve a white background, you need to adjust the camera settings to match the lighting and the backdrop. You can use a manual mode or a white balance mode to control the exposure, color, and contrast of your photos. You want to avoid underexposing or overexposing your photos, as this can make the background look gray or blown out. You can use a histogram or a light meter to check the exposure level, and adjust the aperture, shutter speed, and ISO accordingly. You can also use a custom white balance setting or a gray card to correct the color temperature and make the white look more natural and accurate.

4 Edit the photos in post-production

Even if you follow the previous steps, you may still need to edit your photos in post-production to achieve a perfect white background. You can use a photo editing software or app to crop, resize, rotate, or straighten your photos, and to adjust the brightness, contrast, saturation, and sharpness of your images. You can also use a tool like a magic wand, a quick selection, or a lasso to select and remove any unwanted elements from the background, such as dust, dirt, or shadows. You can also use a tool like a brush, a gradient, or a filter to add some color or effect to the background, such as a tint, a blur, or a vignette.

5 Add some props or accessories

One of the drawbacks of using a white background is that it can make your product photos look boring, plain, or sterile. To avoid this, you can add some props or accessories to your photos, such as flowers, plants, books, candles, jewelry, or other items that complement your product and create some contrast and interest. You can use props or accessories that match the color, theme, or style of your product, or that create some contrast or pop of color. You can also use props or accessories that show the size, scale, or function of your product, or that tell a story or evoke an emotion.

6 Experiment with different angles and compositions

Another way to make your product photos more creative and attractive is to experiment with different angles and compositions. You can try shooting your product from above, below, front, side, or diagonal, and see how it changes the perspective, depth, and focus of your photos. You can also try different compositions, such as placing your product in the center, off-center, or in the corner of the frame, and see how it affects the balance, symmetry, and negative space of your photos. You can also try different cropping, framing, or zooming techniques to create some variety and dynamism in your photos.