In the modern world, feeling about photography always attracts the image of a camera in our mind. First, we try to perceive its type or form. In this context, we are talking about DSLR and smartphone cameras. Therefore, you will like to see the difference between DSLR and smartphone cameras. Technologically, both are developed on the same digital platform but what makes its difference is that they are attached to the different categories as well. The main difference between DSLR and smartphone is portability. As far as the components of a digital camera are concerned, the power of digital camera lies on its built-in software whereas DSLR camera depends on its lens. Moreover, you will observe that the smartphone camera mostly depends on software whereas the DSLR camera depends on lens hardware. At this point, you will find that the performance of the smartphone camera has a unique pattern for delivering quality picture over time. You can imagine that all of your photographic functions and features which you will get in the small form of smartphone with extreme portability. Moreover, when you are thinking about the smartphone, then you will find that the smartphone requires the minimum number of hardware whereas the DSLR camera will require a lot of hardware as well. In this context, you can say that the smartphone only requires lens and screen which are housed in a single form and you will not require to change the hardware for taking the picture. But in the case of the DSLR camera, you will need body, lens separately to form a single form as well. When you are going to shoot a product, then you should keep in mind that the shooting area of a product is very much compact and small. Therefore, you will need a normal lens with 50mm for your shooting most of the time. Here, the smartphone camera is a boon for you. The reason is that for taking a product photo you will require better lighting which can easily control by the smartphone camera with any light source. The advantages you will get when you are going to shoot the product with the smartphone by controlling light easily because the in-built camera software will make to save your labour. What happens is that portability and usability will make your photographic performance in a bigger perspective also.

In photography, exposure is a very much important element. The reason is that it gives a picture’s visual existence in the eyes of the viewers. Therefore, you can expect accurate exposure for a product shot through a smartphone camera as well. It is observed that exposure is very much important and essential tool for any smartphone photographer. One thing is true that how much light enters the camera sensor which designated as an exposure. The elements of the exposure are shutter speed, aperture, and white balance. These elements are crucial for a well-exposed picture as well. For the case of a smartphone camera, you can imagine that every exposure is an artistic decision for any photographer. Generally, exposure consists of aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. For product photography, you should first adjust the aperture for light to hit on the camera sensor. After that shutter speed comes second to allow the aperture to hold light before it hits on the camera sensor as well. Lastly, ISO will come last which will allow you to measure the sensitivity of light which is hitting on camera censor. For product photography, in terms of exposure, you will require aperture and shutter speed most. The reason is that most of the time, product photography has shot in the studio. Therefore, you will get the controlled light source which will give more consistent light over the times as well. For the smartphone camera, you will able to control the light in a significant manner. Because the smartphone camera sensor has smaller in size. Therefore, it takes light from the subject in a smaller proportion. So that it will be difficult for the smartphone camera sensor to capture a large amount of light from the scene as well. But if you adjust ISO speed, then you can get the substantial light quantity for the smartphone camera sensor. Another point you have to keep in mind that the smartphone camera will read the subject light differently before taking the final shot. Because the smaller sensor will have limited ability to capture the light and make the exposure accordingly. You indeed have to understand the lighting condition very seriously, otherwise, you will never get the right exposure for your product shoot. Nowadays, the picture from the smartphone camera sometimes deceives our perception about a picture’s sharpness, details, and exposure. The reason is that exposure belongs to the power of the light source. Therefore, if the variation of light intensity is compromised, then the total exposure mechanism from the smartphone camera sensor will be hampered. For product photography, the smartphone camera always reads the exposure accordingly after taking the light deflection of the subject body. It happens due to the small sensor of the smartphone camera as well. It is observed that the DSLR camera sensor is bigger than the smartphone camera sensor. Therefore, the DSLR camera sensor reads the bigger area of light spread around the subject. So that it will automatically adjust the variation of light intensity. For product photography, the importance of aperture setting is high. The reason is that it delivers details about the product and sharp as well. Generally, the shutter speed is negligible for product photography. Because the product photography is most of the time shot on a tripod and the camera shake is minimum for it.

As far as composition is concerned, it is important for any kind of product photography. The reason is that the smartphone camera has very flexible composition support for any photographer whether he or she is a novice or professional. If you like to shoot with a DSLR camera, then you have to adjust the external settings as well as the internal settings also. But in the case of a smartphone, you only have to adjust the composition through its internal settings like camera setting on third-party software or built-in software on the smartphone as well. For the product shooting through the smartphone, you will be able to use the composition grid for any product shot with dead accuracy as well. For the smartphone camera, the product shot will be highly challenging. The reason is that product photography requires more room for creating the composition. In this respect, the smartphone camera gives enough room through its internal settings. Practically, you will able to move easily around the product to select the best shot for it. It is observed that product photography will require special attention to compositional skill. The reason is that the photographer should keep in his or her mind that product photography is always based on the horizontal plane. Because not a single product could not be more than 2 feet in height. If this height is increased in a higher proportion, then you will find difficulty to frame the product accurately for composition. It is the norm for basic product photography. Another point you have to keep in mind that the smartphone camera has a limited ability to capture the long height of any subject due to lack of additional lens. It is happened due to the internal mechanism of the camera as well. Even if you try to test it with your smartphone camera, then you will find its limitation as well. Logically, it is happened due to the deliberate restriction between smartphone size and its form. If you are keen on your feeling, then you will find that all smartphones are rectangular but all DSLRs are in the semi-square shapes as well. For any composition of a photo, you will always require some room along with the subject also which only can be found through the extra lens and other accessories which belong to the DSLR camera also. Therefore, for a smartphone camera, there is no option about it. Another point you have to consider when you are going to shoot a product under a lighting condition. The reason is that the accurate light measurement will say more about the product details and its liveliness as well. It is observed that for compositional purposes, a smartphone camera will need a more precise lighting source which could not be inconsistent. Therefore, you will able to compose your product accurately. If the light source is not consistent, then the White Balance and Exposure will be hampered as well. For the case of the smartphone camera, it is observed that the composition of a product on a tabletop shoot, you will require a precise follow-up of photographic composition rules. It is very much important for every product shot as well. When you are going to create a good composition of your product shot, then you have to keep in mind that not all composition rules will be applied to product photography. Even, the smartphone camera follows the minimum compositional rules for product photography. Because its in-built settings make it easier for the photographer whether he or she is a novice or professional as well. Generally, for product photography, you will have to follow some composition rules like line, form, texture, focus, and others. But all the elements of photographic composition are linked with each other. It is true that when you follow the few rules then it will automatically be adjusted with other rules simultaneously without your knowledge as well. When you are going to compose your product shot, then you will have to consider baseline, white space and focus for your photo composition. The rest will be automatically adjusted with smartphone camera internal settings. The smartphone camera is a point-shoot mechanism which invites all level of photographic experienced people. Therefore, people get enough time to compose their products precisely as well. For composition purposes, the rule of thirds is used most of the time in product photography. It is the primary rule of photographic composition. Because first, you have to frame a product on your camera with a sharp focus. So that your viewer will able to see your product shot in detail and it will give a detailed view of the overall composition as well. After that secondly, place your product off the centre on the screen which will lead your eye to the subject and it will make a believable shot also. Thirdly, you have to compose the product shot based on the baseline which means that whether it will be on the horizontal or vertical baseline. It will depend on the height of the subject as well.

• It means that a plane will be divided with nine squares of equal size, with two horizontal lines intersecting two vertical lines. Therefore, it will create the drama and interest into a plane. The existence of the rules of thirds also visible in the mother nature as well. Even you will find it all over our surroundings also. But one thing is sure that it always simulates the visual easiness for looking on a subject which soothes our eyes and imagination. If you look deeply into your mind, then you will see that our mother nature also follows the rules of thirds. But for the product shoot, it creates a balance between aesthetics and visualization as well. Most of the case, you will find that the rules of thirds are being used for product photography also. Honestly speaking, it is true that the rules of thirds are one of the weakest composition guidelines among all composition rules. Still, it is used extensively all over the place also. For product photography, it is good for the straight forward tool for composition guideline. Now the question is that should you follow the rules of thirds. You should follow this composition guideline for product photography. The reason is that it will give you a good composition for your product shooting as well. The main problem with the rules of thirds is that it just placing the main parts of your image at arbitrary points on a grid and it directs your eye straight to the picture as well as you could not move your eye towards any diagonal direction. Even if you like to get full proof for the composition of the product photography, then you can try other composition guidelines which will be discussed in the later lectures.

It has different names which people called like a Fibonacci spiral, Golden Spiral, Phi Grid, Divine Proportion, or the Golden Mean. This composition guideline is very much pleasing and balanced for the human eye. The reason is that it steers the human eye around the picture and take into the centre point of the subject as well. Therefore, for product photography, it brings visual happiness in the product picture. It also helps to lead the viewer through the entire photo. The Golden Ratio or Spiral also called ‘nature’s number’ because it is said to appear everywhere in nature, from the nautilus shell to the sunflower.

• It is called The Golden Triangles. It divides the frame with a diagonal line going from one corner to another. The main purpose of this composition guideline is to convey a strong feeling like aggression, stability, compassion, caring, instability and others. For product photography, triangles can be used when the product which you are going to shoot should convey one of these feelings as well. In this context, you will have to read the product carefully and make the final decision about how you will able to apply triangle composition in your product shooting. Generally, the triangles are being used in architecture, landscape and movie as well.

It represents a balanced composition of dynamically intersecting and crossing parallel and diagonal lines, the result of viewing and framing the subject from a particular angle. Practically, diagonal composition creates a feeling of movement. For product photography, it makes little impact on product composition.

• It means that when you are arranging more than one product in the product shooting with your smartphone, then you should always rely on the odd numbers (3,5,7,9,11,13,15 .etc.). Among all these odd numbers, 3 is the most powerful odd number for photo composition. When you are going to shoot the product photography, always try to use a set of three in the composition if you are shooting more than one product. The reason is that the odd numbers always force your eye to move around the group. Therefore, it makes the composition more appealing and memorable as well.

In the present time, the smartphone camera is based on the two operating systems. One is the Android operating system and another is the iOS operating system. Therefore, you can expect the different kinds of features in the smartphone camera as well. It is observed that both of the operating systems are highly user-friendly in its terms. But there is little difference in their performance. An android operating system is indeed popular due to its cheaper licensing to all smartphone makers and also it caters to the maximum compatibility of the latest smartphone features as well. Whereas the Apple iOS operating system is not a market leader in the smartphone user’s community due to its price tag. Although it is famous for its graphic capability it is not a fixed conviction for the people around nowadays. Because the smartphone camera is popular for the selfie picture. Therefore, the people look for a quality selfie every time for maintaining the relationship. But the back camera is for the festivities and occasions purposes as well. Therefore, the back camera is highly important for smartphone camera makers. The reason is that smartphone manufacturers are always looking for the big profit from their smartphones. So that they always give more importance to the back-camera features as well. But for the product photography, the smartphone back- the camera is only and foremost tool for any kind of product shot. When you are going to use the smartphone back-camera for the product shoot, then you should keep in mind that the higher pixel camera does not always give you a better picture at a regular interval. More you can say that the back-camera should have well synchronized with its hardware as well. You should keep in mind that the smartphone camera always depends on the built-in software also. The reason is that it performs with a 35%-65% range between built-in software and camera hardware. Actually, for the product photo shot, you will require favourable compatibility with the camera and the software.

For the smartphone camera, photographic apps are one of the important tools for any kind of photographers like amateur or professional. It is true that without any photographic application in the smartphone, the camera will not perform to its fullest power as well. It is observed that the photographic applications of the smartphone are selected according to the personal choice of its users as well. The reason is that personal preference and requirement will vary from one person to another person. Even, you will observe that every single smartphone application is quite different from another smartphone photographic application in its features and functions as well. So that you have to decide which application you will use and what purpose will be fulfilled. When you are going to select the photographic application for the product photo shoot, then you have to keep in mind that the application should provide you with some important features like manual exposure, RAW file format, Exposure Compensation, ISO speed, and White Balance. Sometimes, we observe that smartphone photographic apps that you like to use for product photography, then you have to sort out the basic types of photographic apps in Google Play and Apple Store. Because you will need a different kind of photo app like a studio light setup, ephemeris, light meter, and basic camera. Now you will get to know about all these photo apps. First, you have to install the studio light setup app in your smartphone for taking an instant view of product composition. It is vital for your product shot. Because you will able to see how the shooting will be performed and get an accurate shot as well. The shooting diagram in the studio setup light app before you commit the product shot will be a vital clue for your overall performance as well as you will able to save your time and money also. When you will know how your product shot is going to happen, then the chance for failure will be minimum. Secondly, the Ephemeris app is generally used for the outdoor location. But if you try to experiment with the product photography with a daylight source, then it will come handy for you as well. You will able to understand the sun's location according to its movement over the horizon. One thing is true that the Ephemeris app is built for the landscape shooting but if you are a creative one and try to explore differently, then this app will give you a new dimension in your skill as well. Another point you should know that the Ephemeris app will give you enough opportunity to understand the light variations at the different time slots from the morning to the dusk as well. Moreover, you will able to see the difference between the pictures taken with the Ephemeris app and the picture taken without the Ephemeris app. Sometimes you will feel the power for using the Ephemeris app for your product shot in the outdoor location. It will create a unique experience with it. As far as the light meter app is concerned, you will find a useful tool for your product photography. The reason is that this tool will guide you to measure the accurate exposure setting in any kind of lighting condition. Moreover, it will steer you to take the well-exposed product shot. It will come handy when you are going to sit on the editing table and you will know about the importance of taking the accurate exposure reading before taking the final shot on the field. You should never compare the performance between the manual light meter and the software-based light meter. Because the performance of both the light meters will work according to its available light source and operational mechanism as well. You may indeed use it if you think that it is very much important for your accurate photography. Practically, the basic camera app is built-in with every smartphone. Therefore, you should use it frequently. The reason is that the built-in camera app is highly compatible with the camera hardware. Even, the third-party camera app may not work smoothly with the smartphone camera mechanism.

Despite having a photo app on the smartphone, you will require separate photo-editing software for retouching purposes. It is observed that the photo editing software is highly robust and powerful in terms of the smartphone built-in photo app. Sometimes we thank that we could make the final editing of the product shot in the built-in or third-party photo app. But the output from it will discourage you completely. Because first you will have to edit on the smartphone photo app and second you have to edit the final phase on the photo-editing software on PC or MAC. In the market, you will find the different brands of photo-editing software like Adobe’s Photoshop CC & Lightroom, Corel’s Paint Shop Pro, and others. But the photo-editing software from Adobe stable is most popular. Even, this software is now expensive for any individual. If you are a professional photographer, then it is a must-have tool for the final production of the product photo. Moreover, if your pocket is thin, then you can go for Corel’s Paint Shop Pro. The reason is that it is the best in the low-budget phot-editing software. Even you will observe that it has a unique blending of features for the amateur and professional photographers as well. When you are editing on a photo editing software, you should keep in your mind that control over the colour and exposure should be given the utmost importance. The reason is that the picture from the smartphone camera always has more contrast and brightness. Therefore, you should give attention to it. Because on the editing table, the photo from the smartphone will look a little brighter and you have to adjust it with the proper selection of filters and tools as well. You will need brightness, contrast, hue and saturation tools for controlling the brightness of the picture. These basic tools which you will find in any photo-editing software. Wisely, you can expect a better result from post-production sessions with photo-editing software. For the product shot, you will require the accurate exposure and colour details for highlighting the product which ultimately brings the branding image for the company. One thing you should keep in mind that photo editing software always takes your editing skill to the utmost level where you will never imagine before. Because with this photo-editing software you will able to shine your editing skill through its tools.

Despite having a photo app on the smartphone, you will require separate photo-editing software for retouching purposes. It is observed that the photo editing software is highly robust and powerful in terms of the smartphone built-in photo app. Sometimes we thank that we could make the final editing of the product shot in the built-in or third-party photo app. But the output from it will discourage you completely. Because first you will have to edit on the smartphone photo app and second you have to edit the final phase on the photo-editing software on PC or MAC. In the market, you will find the different brands of photo-editing software like Adobe’s Photoshop CC & Lightroom, Corel’s Paint Shop Pro, and others. But the photo-editing software from Adobe stable is most popular. Even, this software is now expensive for any individual. If you are a professional photographer, then it is a must-have tool for the final production of the product photo. Moreover, if your pocket is thin, then you can go for Corel’s Paint Shop Pro. The reason is that it is the best in the low-budget phot-editing software. Even you will observe that it has a unique blending of features for the amateur and professional photographers as well. When you are editing on a photo editing software, you should keep in your mind that control over the colour and exposure should be given the utmost importance. The reason is that the picture from the smartphone camera always has more contrast and brightness. Therefore, you should give attention to it. Because on the editing table, the photo from the smartphone will look a little brighter and you have to adjust it with the proper selection of filters and tools as well. You will need brightness, contrast, hue and saturation tools for controlling the brightness of the picture. These basic tools which you will find in any photo-editing software. Wisely, you can expect a better result from post-production sessions with photo-editing software. For the product shot, you will require the accurate exposure and colour details for highlighting the product which ultimately brings the branding image for the company. One thing you should keep in mind that photo editing software always takes your editing skill to the utmost level where you will never imagine before. Because with this photo-editing software you will able to shine your editing skill through its tools.

For any kind of photography, focusing is a vital skill for any photographer. The reason is that it gives a photo into a crisp and sharp looking identity as well. It is observed that focusing a product determines its real identity. Moreover, you can say that focusing on the smartphone has a unique experience. Because you have to press a shutter button in a DSLR camera but for the smartphone camera you don’t need it. Rather, autofocus starts immediately you open the camera application in the smartphone. Practically, it makes the user starts the photo-taking action as well. For product photography, the smartphone camera does not allow to focus manually which you use in any DSLR camera. It is true that the autofocus feature in any kind of camera will be different and works in different ways as well. Moreover, you will see that manual focus is more powerful than autofocus. The reason is that the autofocus works well on the principles of contrast which means that the difference between light tones. One point you have to keep in mind that autofocus could not work well in macro or close-up distances. All kind of product photography is done on the shorter distance between the product subject and the camera plane. You have to understand it well when you are going to shoot product photography. Manual focus is the best option for product photography. But in reality, we are habituated with the autofocus feature which gives us time-saving and lesser labour as well. The logic behind focusing is that moving the camera plane in a forward and backward manner will ultimately give the product a real-life view as well. For product photography through the smartphone, you will require the basic motor control of your brain. The reason is that if you have a robust motor control ability, then you will able to focus on your subject precisely without any image stabilization tool. It is observed that the smartphone is not built for the tripod support due to its portability feature. Another reason is that it is built for a snapshot of the people in general. As far as the autofocus for the smartphone is concerned, there are three types of autofocus like passive autofocus, active autofocus, and hybrid autofocus. Among all these autofocus categories only Phase-Detection Auto Focus (PDAF) of Passive Auto Focus category is most popular today and also it is very much effective as well. Autofocus mechanism is always light-dependent and any kind of variation in the light source will give a great impact on auto-focus mechanism as well. The only drawback of the PDAF system is that it will work only on the bright light source and it never works well in the dark light situation. For that reason, most of the smartphone cameras today could not perform well in the low light area of a scene. You will indeed find the smartphone camera in the studio setup for the product photography will work well due to the flash-oriented light source as well. When the focusing mechanism starts to work, the focus motor of the smartphone camera will work on the light-dependent source to achieve focus using trial and error as well. The active autofocus uses the infrared beam to make autofocus work. But sometimes it is found that the accuracy is not seen in every lighting condition of the product subject as well. Therefore, nowadays, the hybrid autofocus system is being used to overcome the weakness of both passive and active autofocus systems.

Metering in the smartphone camera is quite important for the photographer. Because you have to choose the right metering system (Matrix Metering, Spot Metering, and Centre-weighted Metering system) for product photography. You should keep in your mind that which metering system will be required for the product shot will depend on how the light source will be played around the product surrounding as well. Practically, the spot metering and centre-weighted metering system are the prime metering systems for product photography. It depends on you how to interpret your product shot according to the client’s demand. If your client wants to highlight a segment of the product, then you have to select the spot metering system because it will highlight a particular area of its light spread. On the other hand, if your client wants to highlight the full product details then you have to select the centre-weighted metering system as well. For measuring the light, the two kinds of light meters are available in the market. One is reflected light meter and another is an incident light meter. But you have to select the right meter after judging the scene of the photographic subject. Indeed, the smartphone camera does not have this kind of metering device separately which is available in the photography market. But most of the time you will get the reflected light measurement in the smartphone camera. If you like to take the incident light measurement, then you have to buy a separate light meter which is an expensive and life-long investment for any photographer as well. But for the case of the product photography, you have to take the reflected light measurement for your need. The reason is that most of the case the background of the product is white and it is the colour is highly deceptive to the light meter. Even it can deceive the light meter by over-exposure light measurement or under-exposure light measurement. Generally, the incident light reads the light fall on the subject. Therefore, you will expect accurate light measurement as well. For the case of the smartphone camera, you can use a neutral grey card on the background to take an accurate measurement of light falling on the subject as it will make your job easier. Sometimes you can get the light meter app with the incident light metering system in it but it is not accurate due to the smartphone hardware mechanism.