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Camera settings for product photography

Tripod, f/8–f/11, soft light and a seamless background.

ModeManual
Aperturef/8–f/11
Shutter1/125 s (flash) or longer (continuous)
ISO100
White balanceCustom
Quick start: Tripod, f/8–f/11, soft light and a seamless background.

Starting exposures#

Typical scene brightness for this situation is around EV 10. Use these as a first test shot, then check the histogram.

ApertureISO 100ISO 400ISO 1600ISO 6400
f/1.41/500 s1/2000 s1/8000 stoo bright
f/2.81/125 s1/500 s1/2000 s1/8000 s
f/5.61/30 s1/125 s1/500 s1/2000 s
f/81/15 s1/60 s1/250 s1/1000 s
f/111/8 s1/30 s1/125 s1/500 s

Step by step#

  1. Set a seamless background.
  2. Light from both sides, diffused.
  3. Set custom WB with a grey card.

Gear checklist#

  • Tripod
  • Lightbox or softboxes
  • White sweep

Pro tips#

  • Tethered shooting speeds up adjustments.

Common mistakes#

  • Colour casts from mixed light.
Food photographySide or back window light, 45° or overhead angles, f/2.8–f/5.6.…

Frequently asked questions#

What are the best camera settings for product photography?

Aperture: f/8–f/11 · Shutter: 1/125 s (flash) or longer (continuous) · ISO: 100. Tripod, f/8–f/11, soft light and a seamless background.

What gear do I need for product photography?

Tripod, Lightbox or softboxes, White sweep.

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources