How to photograph handmade products with a phone

Good photos make handmade work easier to appreciate, for a tutorial, a portfolio or a listing. You can get them with a phone and a window.

Light

Use soft daylight from a window, with the sun not shining directly on the table. Place the piece beside the window so the light comes from the side. Hold a white card on the opposite side to bounce light into the shadows. Avoid the flash, and turn off overhead lamps, which add yellow tint.

Backdrop

A plain surface keeps attention on the work: a sheet of white or grey card, a wooden board or a piece of linen. Curve the paper up behind the piece so there is no hard line between table and wall.

Angles to shoot

• A straight-on shot of the whole piece, centered
• A close-up of the detail you are proudest of
• A shot with something familiar next to it, such as a hand or coin, to show size
• A “in use” photo, like the ornament on a tree or the dish on a shelf

Phone settings

Wipe the lens first. Tap the piece to set focus and drag the brightness slider until whites look white. Hold the phone steady against a stack of books, or use a cheap tripod.

Light editing

Crop, straighten, then adjust brightness and warmth until the colors match what you see in person. Heavy filters make products look different from reality, which leads to disappointed customers.