Claimverta
Claimverta Light manipulation in photography
Photography Beginner to Intermediate

Product Photography: Light, Surface, and the Shot That Sells

8 sessions over 4 weeks 292 383 08-01-2026

Most product photos fail before the shutter clicks. The angle is slightly off, the light is casting a shadow nobody noticed, or the surface underneath is stealing attention from the object itself. This masterclass is built around fixing exactly those problems.

We work through natural window light and continuous LED setups, comparing how each behaves with reflective packaging, matte textures, and transparent glass. You will photograph the same object under six different conditions and see precisely what changes and why.

What the sessions actually cover

Composition here is not about rules of thirds printed on a slide. We study negative space as a functional tool, look at how leading lines interact with product shape, and discuss why some flat lays feel cluttered even when they are technically sparse.

Post-processing is included but kept proportional. We use Lightroom for tonal correction and Photoshop for background removal and shadow work. The goal is a clean, consistent edit rather than heavy retouching.

Instructor Brigitte Halverson has shot product campaigns for independent skincare brands and homewares labels across Australia for over nine years. She brings the kind of specific, hard-won knowledge that comes from delivering files under real client deadlines.

Suitable for photographers with basic camera knowledge. DSLR, mirrorless, or a recent smartphone with manual controls will all work for this course.

What the programme covers

A structured path through technique and practice.

Course Structure

  • Session 1 - Reading light: direction, quality, and diffusion methods
  • Session 2 - Camera settings for product work: aperture, ISO, white balance in practice
  • Session 3 - Surfaces, props, and colour relationships
  • Session 4 - Flat lay versus three-quarter angle versus close detail shots
  • Session 5 - Reflective and transparent objects: glass, foil, and chrome
  • Session 6 - Lightroom editing workflow for consistent product batches
  • Session 7 - Background removal and shadow creation in Photoshop
  • Session 8 - Final shoot critique and portfolio review
What you will need

A camera with manual or semi-manual controls, two white foam boards for DIY reflectors, and access to a window with indirect daylight. A tripod is strongly recommended from session two onward.