People say that photography is an expensive hobby. And, for the most part, it’s true. There is an infinite amount of lenses, add-ons, pricier cameras and photography applications that can be purchased.
If the cost of photography equipment is causing you to be hesitant about giving it a try, you shouldn’t be deterred. In fact, the most expensive cameras aren’t necessarily better. Rather than providing major advances, they have features that can slightly upgrade the quality of the image or the photography experience.
The idea of diminishing rewards when considering camera functions is a definite concept. As a novice photographer, you likely won’t need the most elaborate range of dynamic settings, video capacities, water resistance capabilities and fast frame velocity.
It’s important to remember that currently, almost all cameras available for purchase will be able to produce terrific photos. That’s what I’m saying.
It’s hard to locate a camera that has a resolution less than 20 megapixels. This was not something that was evidenced with cameras from five years ago if you make a comparison. Your choice should be determined primarily by a mix of cost, attributes, dimensions, and how simple it is to use.
Here are a few tips and best practices to help you take professional quality photos and product videos for half the price (read on to get 16 more tips from ecommerce experts):
- Avoid shaky video: Steady your phone or camera with a purchased tripod, or create a makeshift tripod out of books, a chair or whatever else you can get your hands on. Be creative.
- Get the shot: Take a variety of photos and videos from different angles and then choose the best ones to include in your final video.
- Focus on the product: When shooting photos and videos of your product, make sure to place it on a background that won’t be distracting to the viewer. A black or white background works nicely, as it allows the viewer to focus on the product.
- Show scale: When showcasing a product, you may want to display it in a way that shows how big it is. This is especially important for items like jewelry or knick-knacks that are designed to be displayed. For jewelry, you can showcase the item on a person to accomplish this. For other items, place a ruler or another recognizable object in the frame.
- Avoid vertical video: Turn your phone on its side and shoot in landscape. Vertical video looks unprofessional when presented in a traditional video player.
Lighting
Proper lighting is extremely beneficial for capturing images and videos with a professional appearance.
Just take a look at the example below. These images were captured with the same settings –– same area, same camera angle, same person. The only thing that changed was the lighting. As you can see, it makes a big difference.
Here are some basic lighting tips that will help take your photos and video footage from so-so to great:
- Shoot in a well-lit area for the sharpest, best looking footage. If you can, try shooting outside or in an interior space with large windows that let in lots of sunlight.
- If you’re not near a bright natural light source, turn on all the lights in the room. If it’s still too dark, bring in some extra lamps.
- When setting up direct light sources, keep an eye out for unappealing shadows. If you’re planning to shoot a large number of product videos, it may be worthwhile to invest in a light box or professional lighting kit. This will ensure that the lighting looks consistent across all of your product photos and videos.
Audio
The sound in a video can have a huge effect on the overall impact of it. You know this is true. Contemplate moments when you have attempted to watch videos with appalling sound. It can be a disruption, or it can totally ruin the video.
If the sound quality of your video is poor or the narration is faint and hard to make out, people won’t watch it.
Here are some tips for making sure that your audio isn’t detrimental to the success of your video:
- Shoot in a quiet spot. Background noise can be distracting.
- If you don’t have an external microphone , make sure your camera is close enough to your subject to pick up their voice.
- Test your levels before you shoot. Plug headphones into your camera so you can hear how the audio sounds. Record a test clip and then play it back to see how it sounds.
Pro Tip
Grasp the fact that if you don’t possess an external microphone, you might be unable to capture top-notch sound. Using a soundtrack in the background and letting your narrative unfold through titles and captions, rather than someone speaking, could be useful in this instance.
Expert Ecommerce Video Tips
Talking with the top brand managers, consultants, and video specialists from the ecommerce world seemed to be a great idea since creating the ideal product video involves both art and science.
This is what these individuals have to say about the effectiveness of product videos for generating more sales and the situations where they should be utilized.
William Harris, Ecommerce Consultant, Elumynt
People still desire to read genuine reviews of your items. They are eager to find out how well they will function in actual situations. I have a client that sells radio-controlled cars. When their product review of one of the more recent cars was put online, their clip quickly accumulated more than 75,000 views – and that was only their first one ever posted on YouTube. This helps create familiarity with the brand, resulting in more successful transactions on the website.
A.J. Ghergich, Founder & CEO, Ghergich.com
Video reviews (especially user generated) are pure gold! Create an automated email that motivates customers to upload a short video assessment of your products on their iPhone. Include a bullet point script and example video.
Provide a convincing reason for them to take action.
Think about creating content primarily for a video platform as part of your marketing plan. Facebook provides greater reach and more interaction than ordinary static advertisement campaigns when using video content. Consider making a Kickstarter video for your most popular items and attempt to get those who are utilizing Facebook to become involved.
The current era of SEO is all about engagement. If users dwell longer on your site and make use of other pages, Google will consider these activities as indicators of confidence in your site and the well-suitedness of your content/product. Video can be used strategically to achieve those goals.
It appears that companies are now emphasizing the emotional appeals and lifestyles associated with their brands, rather than strictly highlighting the items for sale. Informing your viewers of the things the brand feels strongly about can draw them nearer and foster the dedication required for the brand.
Alex Birkett, Growth Marketing Manager, ConversionXL
I’m a big fan of using videos on webpages dedicated to ecommerce.
Purchasing goods online comes with the inherent limitation of the digital world. You can’t hold and experience the product.
Watching videos can help close the divide and make it simpler to picture what a product could be like. It usually increases conversions, too
Video endorsements can be really beneficial, something which Amazon has utilized incredibly well.
Timi Garai, Marketing Manager, Antavo
Produce video clips that are instructional for consumers, for example eight imaginative ways of tying a scarf. Customers are eager to learn the most effective way to utilize your product. Demonstrate that you are invested in their needs by providing motivating demonstrations and instructions on how to use your items.
Request that famous YouTubers who have a high level of influence advertise your product(s). You can provide your customers with a complimentary sample to use in their videos, or you could team up to do a competition with one of your products as its reward. This can lead to increased promotion by word of mouth and thus greater sales.
Canon
Canon has a wide variety of cameras that are suited to those just starting out. They provide a more comprehensive collection of more advanced cameras. As you advance in your photography, you can begin to discover which characteristics are essential to you, as a photographer.
Canon has a range of cameras with a variety of features to meet you needs. Here are a few best ideas.
The Rebel is one of the greatest introductory cameras for the fledgling photographer. This camera is not an easy-to-use point-and-shoot, it is a Digital SLR (DSLR). This camera is an excellent choice due to its reasonable price and its broad range of applications.
The Canon Rebel T7 came out in 2018 and generally costs around $500. Becca commenced her photography journey with a Rebel T3 in 2011 and was incredibly fortunate in producing outstanding images, editing them using only basic techniques, and astounding her mates in a brief amount of time.
Pros
- Optical viewfinder
- Great image quality
- Very affordable for a DSLR
Cons
- Fixed viewfinder
- No LCD touch display
- Slow continuous shooting
This camera is ideal for capturing memories of family or for taking along on a journey. Do not anticipate being able to take photographs in rapid succession, such as of a moving entity or sporting events. The slow speed of the continuous shooting is likely to cause you to miss your desired shot.
The Rebel by Canon is a trustworthy choice if you are seeking your initial DSLR and you are bewildered with the possibilities. It isn’t difficult to make the correct choice with the Canon Rebel and you can quickly gain knowledge by watching photography tutorials online.
Sony
You can get awesome night-time photos with Sony cameras.
Sony a6000
The Sony a6000 is an essential part of the Sony Alpha camera range. The signs of wear and tear are beginning to show, however, it remains a formidable photographer’s camera.
I suggest looking for a pre-owned or reconditioned model since it is among the oldest cameras on this list. Most local photography stores should carry this used model.
It falls in the APS-C line of Sony cameras. This implies that the sensor zooms in on the picture before preserving the actual photograph. Full-frame cameras use the full size of the sensor.
The difference in focal length and the lens is caused by cropping. As an illustration, I own a 55mm Sony FE (full-size) lens. When I connect it to an a6000 camera, it resembles an 85mm lens more than a 50mm lens in terms of its focal length.
This camera could be a good choice for someone entering the Sony camera system and wishing to try out a top of the line mirrorless camera.
DPReview accurately stated that the Sony a6100 is targeted at amateur photographers who want excellent photos but do not consider themselves as professional photographers. It has a 24MP APS-C mirrorless design.
It’s an updated edition of the famous a6000. I would most likely pick the Sony a6100 if I just started taking photos and was looking for a mirrorless camera. The cost is reasonable, the excellent is superb and it has enough capabilities to do the majority of what I would want it to.
Let’s commence with some of the advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
- Amazing autofocus.
- Good battery life for a mirrorless camera.
- Great photo quality.
Cons
- Hard-to-use menu. This is true for all of Sony’s cameras.
- I can’t think of anything else!
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