360-Degree Product Photography: Benefits and How-to.
One of the main benefits of shopping at a physical store is that you can examine a product from all sides, which is the most excellent method to evaluate a possible purchase. So why not use e-commerce to benefit from this potent advantage? Give the customer a sense of the product's presence. Unique 360-degree photography technology will give your potential customer the illusion of tangibility, the opportunity to "spin" the product in their hands, motivating them to buy.
About 360-degree photography
In general, photo 3600 technology is a type of subject photography done in a circular perimeter. During a photo shoot, there are 16 to 72 shots per subject, which are then combined into a single clip. This way, visitors to your site can view the object from all sides simply by moving the mouse cursor over it or moving the image with their fingers on the touch screen. A large number of shots allows you to create the smoothest and most realistic animation.
Benefits of 360-degree product photography
When comparing the cost of a regular studio product photo on a white background and 360-degree product photography, you may notice a difference in price and time to complete the project. And then you wonder: is it worth it? Let's look at the main benefits of using technology:
- The ability to touch the product
It is the effect of 360-degree photography in a studio for rent. You can see the product in detail from all sides without spending time shopping. When buyers see ordinary photos, even if they are made in different projections, they have to "guess" how everything else looks, which introduces an element of indecision in the choice. So a 360-degree photo that provides complete visualization is a first-class demonstration of your products! - Minimize returns
The inability of an online consumer to imagine how the goods will appear in person is what causes returns. Their expectations are often higher than reality, and their views mislead consumers. Using an interactive graphic allows customers to completely visualize what they got, reducing the amount of returns and saving money while enhancing the online store's reputation. - 360-degree photography increases credibility
Do you know that only 2% of all online visitors make a purchase? Do you want to increase this figure? A real, high-quality photo taken in a rental photo studio that reveals the product from all sides inspires trust and confidence. According to recently published surveys of online shoppers, the likelihood of a purchase from a product review can increase by up to 40%. - Photo 3600 is the key to promoting an online store
Increasing conversions is the main goal of any marketing and SEO tactics, as any e-commerce business owner understands. A product presented in a panoramic manner from the outset grabs the attention of an online shopper, piques their curiosity, inspires them to take further action, and lengthens their stay on the website. - 360-degree product photography keeps you ahead of your competitors
The best way to get ahead of the competition and make your merchandise stand out is to make your store better, more attractive, more convenient, and more reliable. Panoramic circular subject photos done in a photo studio for rent give you all of this. We can say that this is a new, modern format necessary for successful commerce. - Improving consumer sentiment
Do you want customers to buy your product, use it, and return later without requesting a refund? To demonstrate your excellent service to potential clients, consider having a 360-degree photo shoot taken at a commercial studio that is available for rental. This is how you demonstrate that you've done everything within your power to give them the information they require. - Increased revenue
This is the apparent benefit of this type of photography. Consumer confidence, fewer returns, and increased sales will definitely lead to a profitable e-commerce business.
How many ways can you accomplish 360-degree product photography
To perform panoramic product photography, you can use several methods:
- Combination of mobile devices with special applications - some models of smartphones are equipped with certain functionality and make it possible to shoot the item from all sides and integrate images into one object. Basically, such features are designed for amateur shooting and may not always be suitable for a catalog, but beginners often take the first steps in this direction.
- Manual shooting with a rotating platform is a classic option for creating a 360-degree photo of any object. The essence of the method is that the product is placed on a special stand, and the photographer takes step-by-step shots, gradually rotating it. After that, the images are combined into a video with the help of a special program.
- The use of a shooting rig simplifies the work of the photographer and makes the final product of higher quality. You can customize the number of "stops" of the platform, for example, if there should be 24 frames in the clip, it will pause every 150, taking pictures with cameras.
- Using a special photo box - generally, the method is similar to the previous one. The product is placed in a box with a customized atmosphere, and the cameras take pictures from different angles.
- Shooting with panoramic cameras - they have several lenses and are able to take pictures in different projections from different sides.
- In a modern robotic automated studio, you can even do without the participation of a photographer, the equipment will produce the type of shooting you need. Renting an automated studio, you can count on software-controlled systems. They consist of cameras, lighting, rigs, rotating mechanisms, tripods, capture, and post-processing functions
Regardless of the technique used, producing a 360-degree product photo is a very challenging task that might not be achievable without specific tools, software, and training. For this reason, businesses prefer renting out a professional studio.
Types of animation for 360-degree product photography
There are several formats available for its realization since the possibility of showcasing the product on a 3600 was introduced. As a result, everybody can choose the type that best suits their goods.
Classic non-interactive animation
Traditional animation works well on social media, email lists, and small-scale marketing campaigns. It is a small-scale, generally compatible GIF file that works with most browsers. The product page's image rotates constantly to show the item from all possible perspectives. It's also important to remember that these files are hard to compress and will have very poor color representation.
Improved non-interactive animation
It is presented in short "videos," making loading file types easier and improving website performance. The prospective customer already has control over this product presentation because they may move the timeframe to view different parts of the image.
360-degree spin - interactive photo of your product
It is considered to be the most popular format for maximum attractive product demonstration, being an ideal solution for professional e-commerce. Going to the product page, the buyer will be able to fully control the image, examining it in detail. Such images have a scaling effect, they can be dragged in different directions and angles, giving a suitable speed for viewing. Such a format for product images is better to create within a specialized photo studio using professional tools and equipment.
Three-dimensional animation
This is rather not 3600, but 3D, but because of the technical similarity of both formats, many people consider the processes to be the same. Three-dimensional animation allows the visitor to the online store to examine the product not only from all sides but also in different positions, for example, from the side and from above, from different angles. The complexity of this type of shooting is in the increased number of frames made at different levels and forming them into one manageable object.
Two-axis animation of 360-degree product photo
This type of animation combines two filmed 360-degree photos. It is an excellent solution not only for online stores but also for manufacturers, large companies, and presentations. The technically complex format can be recreated exclusively with the use of special equipment.
Frame-by-frame visualization
During 360-degree photography, you can demonstrate the appearance of the object and also show its capabilities. By taking frame-by-frame photos you can, for example, open or close the product, and add props to it.
Conclusion
Think how a customer browsing your website might approach the products, scroll through them, and then, once they have taken in all the information, hit the "buy" button. According to recent studies, these are the wants sparked by 360-degree photography as opposed to conventional photographs. You must first make the necessary investments in the correct tools, acquire the necessary skills, or hire professionals if you want to develop your business's sales and ensure a minimal return.
