The "Make Almost Any Product Look Good" Lighting Setup

Here's the tried and true home lighting setup for shooting the majority of products you might want to sell online. Simple, inexpensive and you are welcome to add your own imagination as well.
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Purchased Equipment Used:
Nikon D3500
Nikon 18-55mm Kit Lens
Yongnuo YN-560III Flash x 2
Yongnuo RF-603N II Wireless Flash Trigger

[@iamdionneVA]

I freaking love this guy... he's so amusing and relatable

[@dan110024]

This is one of those guys you sub to after watching only one video

[@LukeAyers]

I love you

[@kubesh]

Literally did the same

[@davidroberts8586]

Sorry should have been a reply see above.

[@dtsaeras5265]

so true

[@voz2voz]

Yep, after 5 different lighting topics...this is my instructor! Subscribed! A very creative and in-depth explanation for us non-photographers.

[@Babybullyleo1]

Watched one of your videos 20 minutes earlier (made ~4yrs ago), and I was like cool / great info. Let's check out another one. Second video now, and I wanna say it's because I'm watching this at 2am that I can't really concentrate, but honestly, your smile is so distracting. I'll thumbs up now and watch this tomorrow. Thanks!

[@catwarrenphoto]

Your DIY setups are so easy and insightful. Amazing work. I would’ve never thought to make modifiers out of parchment paper and picture frames. I haven’t delved into product photography yet, but this tutorial also helps with portraits as well. Thank you again for the help. ❤️

[@LukeAyers]

Wonderful! I'm so glad I can help. Thank you

[@edcxfamcrew5442]

I really like how you explain things. Simple but clear 😊

[@Bobbziee]

I remember finding you when I was looking at some product photography tips. It was super impressive. And now you’ve made this, it’s just amazing priceless information. Keep going!

[@LukeAyers]

Thank you very much!

[@jennytrimboli7881]

Wow! So simple, it is brilliant!! Great tutorial. Very keen to see more. Thanks.

[@chadibaytamouni3503]

Luke i really appreciate your content, just top of the line and straight forward ... thank u for sharing your valuable experiences in photography with the world!

[@LukeAyers]

Thanks! You're welcome

[@jurrydevries4006]

Dear Luke, I just wanted to say that I really like and appreciate your videos. They make something inaccessible truly accessible. I just started 2 years ago with photography and am exploring different startles. Your videos have been tremendously helpful thank you for that

[@LukeAyers]

That's brilliant. Thank you Jurry

[@DenilsonJuniorSF]

I'm already applying this to my photographs and I can see a huge improvement! Thanks.

[@LukeAyers]

Awesome! You're welcome

[@nashushography3636]

THE MASTER OF LIGHT! 💙

[@LukeAyers]

Thank you

[@iamhein6168]

love it. hope you upload 1080p in the future.

[@usernamemykel]

Great instruction, clearly depicted, very pleasing personality. Thank you, Luke!

[@LukeAyers]

You're very welcome!

[@vanilla__latte]

Exactly what I needed, thank you so much!

[@JustinEspejo]

Man, iv just spent almost an hour just watching your stuff coz im trying to learn abt flash photography/product photography and i learned a lot from you. Subbed and can't wait to digest your other stuff! Really informative!! Thanks! 🙏🙏🙏

[@LukeAyers]

Wow that's awesome to hear bro. Thanks and you're welcome

[@JustinEspejo]

@@LukeAyers your videos are making me want to buy a couple of flashes today. 😂😅😂

[@rihanaharoon7026]

Thank you.. Your simple philosophy for product photography gives me confidence that i can do this without all the fancy equipment. 🙏

[@LukeAyers]

Brilliant, Rihana

[@uspa4u]

Luke, thank you very much…..you are amazing.!!!

[@LukeAyers]

You're welcome 😊

[@IvyWillowMusic]

I came across one of your tutorials a few weeks ago, and it levelled up my product photography quite a bit. Thank you very much!

[@LukeAyers]

That's brilliant to hear! Thank you

[@smallcnclathes]

I love how the ads at the start of your videos are for a photography course! Ah the beauty of digital cameras. I used to use polaroids and modeling lights to see what was going on, it was about the only way to not waste a heap of film and meet deadlines.

[@LukeAyers]

Awesome dude

[@alexerre432]

Nice tutorial Luke

[@soocmedia]

Fantastic video as always, many thanks Dan

[@LukeAyers]

Pleasure

[@TecxoneTechnologies]

You are the best in doing what you are doing..... ! Awesome

[@LukeAyers]

Thank you so much!

[@charlesazevedo4849]

Couldn't agree more.

[@panpiatek8447]

thanks again. will wait for next video

[@LukeAyers]

Great

[@ITEasySupport]

Thanks for sharing. Look simple but full of knowledge

[@LukeAyers]

That's great to hear. Thank you

[@aphotographer4896]

Thanks luke for this

[@LukeAyers]

You're welcome

[@rockthenatural]

I've learned so much from watching your videos. I love your simplistic teaching style. Can you please do a video on flat lay photography and how to make sure your product photos are true to the product color? Also how to photograph a white product on a white background using the flat lay style. Thanks!

[@LukeAyers]

Yes good idea. OK 👍 and thank you

[@ForsTv365]

Awesome tutorial. Thx.

[@LukeAyers]

Thank you!

[@josephchan4198]

I am retired but still keep on learning. Good tips if needed for personal work or small business, Thanks.

[@anoushkasundaram6082]

Beautiful and informative!!!

[@warrenbass7350]

Great video again,..

[@royalecrafts6252]

You could use a LED diode screen instead of a flashlight, you can tweak kelvin and saturation with those plus they are cheaper

[@ruthkorkiakoski6851]

you are GREAT, thanx!

[@LukeAyers]

You're welcome

[@dmguo5125]

Thank you Luke.

[@LukeAyers]

You're welcome buddy

[@sinarocks810]

Thx so much!!!

[@imanh9193]

Love your lessons !! Just one question : Does the original light in the room play any role ? I remember you mentioned before that we should only have the light we are flashing and nothing else , so would you recommend that we turn off the room light ? Thanks

[@LukeAyers]

Awesome. Yes ideally turn off all other lights because ANY other light in the area can affect the photo after all

[@allieesq]

your amazing! wish you lived closer! Would have loved to do one on one training

[@LukeAyers]

You're welcome. If you like you can look at my course Thephotographycourse.thinkific.com

[@allieesq]

@@LukeAyers Im a jewelry designer/manufacturer. If you have a course dedicated to jewelry, would love to review.

[@Babz29er]

Hi Luke, great Job! I do not have a Pro camera yet, still using a phoje but I can manipulate the manual setting. However, in regards light, I only have 2 small LED lights. Do you think i can get similar results as you do?

[@LukeAyers]

Yes! Test them out. But the advantage of flash is that it's much brighter. You may need to test different camera settings

[@aramnabizadeh8770]

Thanks a lot , l really enjoyed as a photographer ❤

[@LukeAyers]

Awesome

[@lltysonll]

about to have my first product shoot. I will use this knowledge. Hopefully, my friend doesn't think Im strange using home made equipment. Love your videos btw what flash did you use in your last video? You were shooting a watch and wine.

[@LukeAyers]

Thank you!! I used the yongnuo yn560iii

[@user-ph6zn6yp7q]

It’s funny how people in the comments are just now hearing about Luke Ayers. I’ve been doing product photography for a while now and I remember hearing about Luke years ago here in Seattle, WA USA at a camera shop. They had videos of his they’d show customers about his photography. Dude is a genius. What I wouldn’t give for a hour of his time

[@LukeAyers]

Is that so? Awesome. Thanks mate

[@user-ph6zn6yp7q]

@@LukeAyers Hey Luke! It’s truly a pleasure talking to you. Yeah, about 5 years ago someone had a video of your work. Everyone was in awe. I want to think there was a photo of a mountain you took. It was honestly, one of the best shots of a mountain I’ve ever seen, and I’m from Seattle, WA USA where we have LOTS of mountains. Just curious, have you taken any shots of the active volcano in NZ?

[@LukeAyers]

Niiice. I'm not sure what shot that was but yes I've photographed some mountains. MY folks are from NZ but I've never shot the mountains there before. Good idea though @@user-ph6zn6yp7q

[@cz2301]

Excellent videos and explanation. Be like water, my friend

[@nishanalee4328]

Your videos are great. I really need to know how to stop reflections in the pictures when photographing items like chrome coffee pots or toasters. The chrome surface acts like a mirror. I have taken pictures at an angle like you suggested by my big problem is still there. To avoid being in the reflection of the chrome, I use the flash. I do not like the results. Can you make a video dealing with high reflective surfaces like chrome?

[@LukeAyers]

I getcha. Yes that's a good point. I can make a tutorial and may do, but the shortest answer would be to remove the reflections in something like Photoshop

[@Robinhood-pg6mb]

Awesome vid. I need help on the lighting side. I have 3 lights but I still cant fully show the detail. What would you recommend?

[@LukeAyers]

Just take one light at a time and see from what angle it makes the object look best, then add another, etc. That's the best way to figure it out for yourself

[@tooprinty524]

"Look how shiny and attractive... I would buy that!" Hahaha your videos are fantastic, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us! Ok, good.

[@Triptweeze]

I think I'm going to make another channel just to give you another sub! I hope that more people come across your channel because your tips are golden!

[@LukeAyers]

Thank you, man 😁

[@kcreations9549]

Thank you I enjoyed your lessons on teaching us how to set up products can you do one on gift baskets thank you. Oh by the way I'm a new sub! 😎

[@smallcnclathes]

In part two, I want to see more blue in the glass and a flame on the candle pretty please?

[@velimirmandic2645]

What do You think about this boxes for product photography? Do camera settings from your previous video apply when one uses a photobox for product photography?

[@LukeAyers]

Yes those boxes can work, fine. Camera settings will need to adjusted slightly perhaps

[@lanbast558]

thank you again 🤗

[@productiontest]

Great video!!! Could you please create a video on how to do overhead videos too?

[@LukeAyers]

Thank you. I haven't tried overhead videos before but maybe I can

[@productiontest]

@@LukeAyers Wow! Thanks for responding

[@MarnieMakeUp]

Hi, thanks for the video. Would the plexiglass be sold in Bunnings? I’m not sure where I could buy it in Australia and what it would be called here. Hope you can help. 😀

[@LukeAyers]

Yay an Australian. Yes I got mine from bunnings 😁👌 rock on

[@maryraab9066]

Thank you! What advice do you have for taking photos of clothing on a mannequin?

[@LukeAyers]

Similar to how you would photograph a person. You might find my course of interest for this: thephotographycourse.thinkific.com/

[@karenau-yeung2229]

Thanks for the video. Can I use white cardboard?

[@LukeAyers]

Yes you can

[@salsawirabuana2260]

You always good

[@kartikibhatnagar2061]

Hey Luke, quick question. I like how the PVC makes it very seamless but I bought seamless paper (which is basically white fabric) and I'm hoping it gives the same look as your images do. Is there anything I can do with it to make it look seamless? Also secondly, is it ok if my light sources are table lamps like the ones you had in your initial videos and I can add parchment paper in front of them as diffusers? Thanks in advance!

[@LukeAyers]

Yes you can use lamps with diffusion like in the other video, however the benefit of flashes is just because they are much brighter is all. Paper is fine. Fabric is OK. The point is that the stronger the material is then I won't risk getting dented or having marks or minute ripples in it which will all show it in the photo. The idea is smoother is better

[@kartikibhatnagar2061]

@@LukeAyers Thanks for your response! I've been trying with lamps but for some reason my lighting looks very harsh and unprofessional. Any reason why? My products are really big which might be a problem as the lighting inst sufficient.

[@LukeAyers]

Yes, for bigger products you need a brighter light and bigger diffusers to get the same effect

[@mikecmw8492]

You are infinitely cool, based on curve of course.

[@XTen1000DaysX]

I got one of those light boxes that have all sides covered and a hole on top to shoot the camera from, this solves all these issues with light right?

[@LukeAyers]

In a lot of cases yes. But it won't solve everything, hence why I don't use them myself.

[@paritoshgain5607]

Nice

[@rorsey98]

Does the trigger and flashes link to any camera? (Nikon d90/canon 80d)

[@LukeAyers]

There are both nikon and Canon versions for this trigger

[@neiubimnoi2]

I have a question. How would you go around on photographing watchstraps? They just sit flat o a surface.

[@LukeAyers]

Shoot and light them from a cool angle to make them more visually interesting

[@neiubimnoi2]

@@LukeAyers Thank you!

[@marvinwilliams7938]

Hey mate, how do you get the pure blank white background on photos for Amazon/eBay? You mentioned it in the video but never explained

[@LukeAyers]

Heya mate. That’s covered in the Professor Chesswick tutorial. Or in my $7 phone photography course

[@leatherforpets3636]

question . if you only have one speedlight , can you use a reflector on the opposite site to bounce back the light coming from the flash ? wouldn't this light up the area that would otherwise get light from the second flash ?

[@LukeAyers]

Absolutely. You can totally use a reflector in place of another speedlight in a lot of situations

[@leatherforpets3636]

@@LukeAyers my main goal is to eliminate shadows

[@robertgreene2621]

Could you do an example for clothing?

[@LukeAyers]

Yes ok

[@hafizulislam4322]

Absolutely vedeo

[@mdyearhossain8194]

nice

[@davidroberts8586]

You got that one right

[@mdsamim7759]

Good

[@pjrobertson3345]

You've focused almost entirely on small products. What about large products such as electronics things like TVs, speakers, games consoles etc. In theory, it would be the same, but large products seem to need more light, and you may need focus stacking. Would love to see a video on larger products

[@LukeAyers]

Understood. Ok

[@xxxdev16xxx]

Yo, I enjoyed your 2016 product photography tutorial, can you make the new videos faster? Thanks!

[@wajahatshah9489]

Please make a video on Food Photography...

[@LukeAyers]

Ok 👌

[@leenaa9550]

I am curious as to how the candle would look on a pure white background since it is white. Also, the label is washed out in parts (especially the left side), so a technique to correct that would be useful.

[@LukeAyers]

If you're shooting white object on white background then you have to light the object in a way which makes it visible against the background, maybe with shadows or darker edges or something like this.

[@joshmcdzz6925]

What metering do you use when taking products ( matrix, group or spot )?

[@LukeAyers]

Probably spot, but it's not very important

[@joshmcdzz6925]

@@LukeAyers ok thanks. But if using a macro lens with a very shallow depth of field, would the metering mode matter? Matrix vs Spot

[@faysalrehman8998]

other then all.. ur smile is so cute :)

[@SpolarEffect]

Great videos man. I tried your setup from the video you made with a million plus views showing the basic setup to shoot the shoe and i struggled getting a good result. I suppose i need to have not only florescent, or bright white light, behind the filters, but also above the product im shooting (I currently have a incandescent overhead now which is messing up the white light)? Additionally, i tried using a piece of paper to reflect the light on the other side but it didnt seem to reflect much light at all. Should I just try using a different material to reflect the light? For camera settings, what do you recommend specifically for the ISO, F, and shutter level? I tried the settings you suggested but couldn't generate enough light with a 60w LED daylight color lightbulb behind a filter (one piece parchment paper)? Any tips greatly appreciated. Keep up the good work. You are an excellent communicator -Sam.

[@LukeAyers]

Thanks mate. Simplest answer is: get a much stronger light. That will handle all these problems in one go.

[@jennifercrotty193]

What lens did you use here?

[@jennifercrotty193]

Never mind. Just read the info!

[@charlesfcpx]

if I don't have wireless flashers, I should still modify the light some how

[@LukeAyers]

Yes, just get a normal light and stick the "diffuser" box in front of it. But get as powerful a light as you can

[@annyturby]

Loved your first Videos! The editing of your more recent (Last 10 months) videos doesn't bring out the best though, you can be so much more engaging, kind, humorous, interesting and likeable. I do wish you the best and will continue to check back for more lighting tips

[@latin95]

Trying hard not to swear :)) 👏👏👍

[@christianekaufmann5477]

Transparentpapier in deutsch :)

[@kunalsarkar1984]

We call that a butter paper in India.Hehe

[@shirigyan726]

I watch only 3mints and I fall on sub...

[@jichaelmorgan3796]

We say Alumilum

[@Rose39M]

You dont even need a light box!

[@LukeAyers]

exactly

[@ahhyunkim631]

i feel like i'm falling in love with u

[@GobindaDotel]

Looks like two different person... Is it?