Product Photography: Smartphones vs Cameras

When it comes to product photography, there are two main camps: smartphones and cameras. Both have their pros and cons, and the debate over which one is better can go on for hours. To help you decide which one is right for you, let's take a closer look at what each of these options can offer.

Smartphone Accessories

Consider the Bluetooth Selfie Stick Tripod with Ring Light – a great universal option for product photographers and influencers alike. Its adjustable legs and mount make it easy to connect your smart device, so you can get closer to the action. Or, if you find a tripod isn't what you are after, check out the Premium Dimmable Ring Light Kit It's perfect for mounting a larger device for assistance with streaming, filming, watching or picture taking.

The Premium Mini Led Studio Photo Box provides the right angle for content creators to photograph product flat lays, social images. It's a great way to ensure you get the right angle for your product shoot.

Quick Tips for Smartphone Photography

• Make sure you clean your phone lens
• Adjust brightness in the camera app as necessary
• Only use digital zoom if your phone comes with two or more cameras; otherwise it may reduce the quality
• Use the rule of thirds to frame the image and place emphasis on the product
• Add some professional touches using editing apps to adjust contrast, saturation, cropping and sharpness.
• Use a tripod and a timer or bluetooth shutter release to prevent any camera shake

Cameras for Product Photography

Cameras have been industry standard for all types of photography for many decades. DSLR and neewer Mirrorless cameras offer high resolution images and adaptability through interchangeable lenses. Cameras also give you more control over your settings and the look and feel of your shoot. However, lighting is always key, whether using a phone or a camera.

For product photography, we recommend investing in some Styling Props and Flat Lay Backdrops to instantly add visual interest, depth and texture to product photographs. Explore the options available to you, test them in your studio space, and work out a visual concept. When used correctly, these simple tools can elevate a flat photo and turn it into a scroll-stopping image.

Quick Tips for Camera Photography

• Always be mindful of the lighting, whether it’s natural, ambient or continuous
• Use a tripod to gain the sharpest images
• Understand how white balance can affect the colour of a product
• Experiment with lighting accessories such as softboxes or grids to help shape the light
• Control the depth of field in a photograph using the aperture
• Tether your camera to the computer to check focus and offer easy importing
• Dedicate some time to post-processing as well
• Get creative with backdrops, styling props and other accessories to make your images pop

Enhancing Your Product Photography

Editing can completely change the images you’ve captured, making them look more refined and professional. There are many apps and programs out there that are great to use for both phone and camera editing. Our favourites are Prisma Photo Editor, Tezza, VSCO, Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop Camera, Pixtica, Snapseed, and PicsArt. There are also lots of tutorials online to help if you get stuck.

Which One is Best For You?

Depending on your budget, availability of equipment, the scale of the photoshoot, and many other aspects, you need to decide whether to opt for an iPhone or camera for a product photoshoot. While both have their advantages, you’ll find the choice comes down to where the photo will be published. For instance, iPhones are perfect for all types of social media product photography shoots as the output quality doesn’t need to be as high as a commercial magazine shoot.

We would recommend beginners always start with smartphone photography, experiment with composition, and nail the craft of product photography. You’ll find them great for personal projects and providing ease-of-use when publishing social media posts.

On the other hand, as you progress towards professional photography, you can always consider investing in an enthusiast or professional camera. Their ability to change lenses offers greater flexibility over an iPhone making them suitable for commercial use.

Final Thoughts

So keep the basics of photography in mind whenever you have a camera in hand. Your product photography will undoubtedly get better over time, especially with practice and the right accessories.