Light it right: sharp, true-colour photos

Use soft daylight

Daylight near a window gives the most accurate colours and even light. Avoid direct sun, which creates hard shadows and burns out bright areas.

1. 1Stand or sit next to a window, with the light falling across the item
2. 2If the sun shines straight in, use a thin curtain to soften it
3. 3Turn off coloured lamps that tint the item
4. 4Keep the same light for every photo of the item

Indoors and at night

• Use several lights or one bright, even light, rather than one small spotlight
• Choose white or neutral bulbs so colours stay true
• Keep the light behind or beside you, so your shadow does not fall on the item
• Avoid the flash: it flattens texture and adds glare

Shiny and dark items

• Watches, jewelry and patent leather: tilt the item until reflections move off the detail you need
• Glass and crystals: shoot slightly from the side so you do not see yourself reflected
• Dark leather and black items: add more light rather than brightening the photo afterwards
• White items: avoid overexposure, so stitching and texture still show

Keep it sharp

• Tap to focus on the detail before each shot
• Hold still for two or three seconds, or rest your elbows on the table
• Clean the lens
• Retake any photo that looks soft when you zoom in