How to Shoot Shiny Products? Professional Reflection Control Guide

In product photography, photographing products with shiny and reflective surfaces such as sunglasses, watches, glass objects, metal accessories or gemstones is a real challenge for many photographers. Unwanted reflections, glare spots and loss of detail are common problems.

Whether you are looking for a professional solution for these delicate shots or you are looking for a “How to shoot shiny products?” and want to improve your own skills, this guide will show you the way. Successful bright product shot for examples Jewelry & Jewelry Shoot You can check our page.

In this guide, we will explain step by step how to illuminate products with shiny surfaces (especially glass and metal) with the right techniques and how to achieve professional images that reflect the quality of your products.

“Hello, I am Burak Bulut Yıldırım. In my 20+ years of production experience (since 2005), I have seen that controlling reflection is the line that separates the ’good‘ photographer from the ’master‘ photographer. In our studios in Istanbul and Berlin especially in the most demanding product groups such as jewelry, watches and cosmetics.

Glossy products don't lie; they ruthlessly reflect the entire environment, light and camera. This guide is a professional workshop summary to take reflection from a nightmare to a ‘design tool’ that shows the form and quality of the product.”

- Burak Bulut Yıldırım, Professional Photographer and Trainer

Technique 1: Photographing Transparent or Colored Glass Products (Backlit)

The most effective way to photograph transparent or translucent glossy products, such as glass, is usually backlighting technique. This technique brings out the form, contours and transparency of the glass in the best possible way.

Step 1: Setting up the Lighting Scheme (for Glass)

• Light Position: Your light source (continuous light or flash) of the product right behind place it. The aim is for the light to pass through the glass and define the edges of the product.
• Diffusion (Softening): In front of the light source at the back, a large lamp is placed to soften and evenly distribute the light. diffuser (softbox, diffusion panel or white translucent fabric). This prevents harsh glare.
• Reflectors (Reflectors): Under and on both sides of the product white foam board (styrofoam) or place reflectors such as white cardboard. These reflectors reflect the soft light passing through the diffuser back onto the front and side surfaces of the product, filling in dark areas.

Step 2: Adjusting Camera Settings (for Glass)

• Shooting Mode: For full control over light Manuel (M) shoot in mode.
• Aperture: To ensure that the product is as clear as possible small aperture such as f/11, f/16 values are preferred.
• ISO: To preserve image quality and avoid grain (noise), as far as possible lowest ISO value (ISO 100) Use it.
• Focus: Focus on the most important detail of the product using a tripod.

Step 3: Editing Phase (for Glass)

A properly applied backlighting technique can greatly simplify your editing (post-production) process.

• Cleanliness: Carefully remove any dust, smudges or fingerprints that may have been missed during shooting with the healing/clone tools.
• Background Make sure the background is completely clean and (if for e-commerce) pure white (RGB 255,255,255).
• Contrast and Sharpness: If necessary, make slight contrast and sharpness adjustments to make the product more distinct.

Technique 2: Photographing Metal or Highly Reflective Surfaces (Double-Sided Soft Light)

Metallic objects (watches, jewelry, utensils, etc.) are one of the most difficult product groups to photograph due to their highly reflective nature. The reflection of the entire environment, the camera and even the photographer can often be seen on the surface of the product.

The aim is not to completely eliminate these reflections, but to control them and create smooth transitions that give form and volume to the product.

Step 1: Setting up the Lighting Scheme (for Metal)

• Two Large Soft Light Sources: On both sides of the product (e.g. at 45 degree angles) two large size softboxes or place an umbrella with large diffusion.
• Objective: The aim is to keep the surface of the light source falling on the product as wide and soft as possible. These wide, soft light sources create controllable, soft and gradient reflections on the metal surface, rather than harsh pinpoint glare.
• Background (Sweep): Place a white background paper (sweep) on the back of the product so that there is a seamless transition from the bottom to the camera. Extending part of the paper under the camera lens can also prevent reflections from the lens.
• Watch out for fingerprints: Make sure to clean the product before you start shooting and use gloves if possible.

Step 2: Adjusting Camera Settings (for Metal)

• Diaphragm To ensure clarity throughout the product f/11 or lower (like f/16) use an aperture value.
• ISO: To maintain quality ISO 100 at a low value.
• Snapshot In manual mode, set the shutter speed to ensure the correct exposure according to your camera's exposure meter.
• Focusing: Focus on the main focal point of the product or the brand logo.

Step 3: Editing Phase (for Metal)

With the right lighting, the need to organize metal products is also reduced. Basic steps

• Cleanliness: Carefully remove any unavoidable dust, small scratches or fingerprints from the surface with the healing and clone tools.
• Reflection Control (if required): If there is a very annoying camera reflection, carefully remove it with cloning. But remember, some reflection is desirable due to the nature of the metal.
• Color and Contrast: Make slight contrast and brightness adjustments while preserving the true metallic color of the product.

Did You Find These Techniques Difficult? Get Professional Support or Training

Photographing glossy products can be challenging at first. If you'd rather leave the technical details to the professionals, or if you'd like to get an in-depth understanding of the private photography lesson LUX Production is ready to help you with over 20 years of experience.