Introduction
Did you know that 75 percent of shoppers base their decision on the product photos they see on an ecommerce website? These figures emphasize the essence of representing your products with high-quality photos.
However, not everyone has access to expensive equipment or the budget to hire a professional photographer. Luckily, there are several free apps available that can help you take stunning product photos right from your smartphone.
This article explores the best free apps for DIY product photography that help you create high-quality images without breaking the bank. Whether you’re a small business owner, an Etsy seller, or just looking to improve your personal photography skills, these apps can help you take your product photos to the next level.
11 Best Free Apps for DIY Product Photography
- Canva
- Lightroom
- Adobe Photoshop Express
- Apowersoft Background Eraser
- Photo Editor Pro
- Snapseed
- VSCO
- Pixlr
- Instasize
- PicsArt
- Fotor
1. Canva
Canva offers a library of design elements, such as icons, illustrations, and photos, that users can import to enhance and customize designs. These elements make it easy for users to create unique and visually appealing designs without needing to have a lot of design experience or access to professional design tools.
Canva’s most unique feature is its extensive library of design templates and layouts. It offers thousands of customizable templates for a wide range of design projects, including social media graphics, presentations, posters, flyers, invitations, and more.
Moreover, the app’s text and typography options are important for branding, captions, or other text to product images, making them more informative and engaging for potential customers.
While Canva offers a wide range of templates and design elements, its customization options are largely limited compared to more advanced design software. Users may find that they are unable to create highly customized or complex designs without using additional software or tools.
2. Lightroom
Lightroom’s photo management tools allow users to import, organize, and tag their photos, making it easy to find specific images. The app also includes basic photo editing tools. This includes exposure, contrast, and color adjustments, and more advanced tools such as noise reduction and lens correction.
One of the key features of Lightroom is its non-destructive editing capabilities, which means that edits are applied to a copy of the original photo rather than the original file itself. This allows photographers to experiment with different edits without fear of permanently altering the original image.
Upsides:
- Lightroom is available on both desktop and mobile platforms, making it easy to edit and manage photos on the go.
- Has non-destructive editing capabilities.
- Features basic editing tools.
Drawbacks:
- While Lightroom offers powerful features, it can be daunting for beginners.
- The app’s interface and terminology may take some time to get used to.
- Its integration with other software is limited. This limitation can be a drawback for users who rely on other editing tools or workflow management software.
3. Adobe Photoshop Express
Photoshop Express includes multiple image editing features, such as cropping, resizing, and color adjustments. The app also offers a range of filters and effects that can be applied to photos to create different moods and styles.
Upsides:
- Users can easily remove blemishes and imperfections from photos. The app’s Spot Heal tool allows users to select and remove unwanted objects or blemishes from photos with just a few taps.
- Features multiple tools for adjusting and enhancing the lighting and exposure of photos. The app’s Auto-Fix feature automatically adjusts brightness, contrast, and saturation camera settings to improve the overall look of a photo.
- It is a great option for quick edits and simple enhancements. The robust photo editing tools available in Photoshop is one of its strengths.
Drawbacks:
- With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to know where to start, and it’s easy to get lost in the interface.
- It’s resource-intensive as it requires a powerful computer with plenty of processing power and RAM to run smoothly. This criteria means that it may not perform well on older or less powerful machines, which could be a drawback for some users.
4. Apowersoft Background Eraser
Apowersoft Background Eraser is a software application that allows users to remove the background from photos with just a few clicks. The app is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems and can be downloaded from the Apowersoft website.
Upsides:
- The app uses artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to analyze the image and identify the background, making it easy to remove it from the photo. Users simply upload the photo they want to edit, and the app automatically removes the background and replaces it with a transparent or solid color background of their choice.
- Apowersoft Background Eraser also includes the usual editing tools for adjusting the brightness, contrast, and color balance of photos.
- Users can add texts, stickers, and other elements to their edited photos, making it a versatile tool for creating custom images and graphics.
Drawbacks:
- While Apowersoft Background Eraser includes some basic editing tools, it does not offer the full range of editing options available in more comprehensive photo editing software.
5. Photo Editor Pro
Photo Editor Pro is a mobile photo editing app that is available for iOS and Android devices. The app includes a range of basic editing tools, including cropping, resizing, and rotating images.
Upsides:
- Users can adjust the brightness of their photos, and use the beauty tools to smooth skin, remove blemishes, and whiten teeth. These tools can be especially useful for portrait photography.
- Photo editor pro includes a collage maker tool that allows users to combine multiple photos into a single image.
- Users can choose from a range of layouts and customize the borders and backgrounds of their collages.
- Users can also apply filters and effects such as vintage, black and white, and HDR.
Drawbacks:
- Like the Apowersoft Background Editor, Photo Editor Pro is a useful tool for basic photo editing and enhancement but does not offer the same range of advanced features as more comprehensive photo editing software.
However, for quick and easy photo editing on the go, it can be a great option. Moreover, the developers offer limited support. This could make it more difficult to troubleshoot issues or get help with using the app.
6. Snapseed
Snapseed is an excellent choice for product photography because of its advanced editing tools and features that can enhance the look of product images.
Snapseed’s selective adjustments feature allows users to apply edits to specific areas of their photos. This tool can be particularly useful for product photography because it allows users to make targeted adjustments to specific parts of the image, such as the product itself or the background.
Snapseed has many unique features, but the two most notable are:
- Snapseed’s perspective correction tool: allows users to adjust the perspective of their photos, which can be particularly useful for product photography. This feature can help to correct distortions in the image and ensure proper product representation.
- Support for raw photo editing: Raw files contain more image data than JPEGs, hence, users can make more advanced edits without losing quality.
Drawbacks:
- While Snapseed is a powerful and versatile mobile photo editing app, it may have a steeper learning curve than simpler editing tools.
- Its text editing options are more limited than other photo editing apps. Users can add text to their photos, but they may not find their preferred fonts and formatting options are not available.
7. VSCO
VSCO is a popular mobile photo editing app that offers a range of advanced editing tools and features. While VSCO is not specifically designed for product photography, it can be an excellent choice for enhancing the look of product images.
Some of the most distinctive features of VSCO are its wide selection of film-like presets and filters and adjustment tools.
- Wide selection of film-like presets: VSCO offers over 200 presets, many of which are designed to emulate the look of classic film photography. These presets allow users to add a vintage or retro feel to their photos and create a specific mood or aesthetic. They can be a great starting point for users who are new to photo editing.
- Image adjustments tools: with this, users can create a custom set of adjustments that work well for their particular product or brand and apply them to future product images.
Drawbacks:
- VSCO does not offer a wide range of export options, which can be a drawback for users who need to export their photos in a specific format or size.
- Some users have also reported that VSCO’s app updates can be inconsistent and buggy, which can be frustrating for users who rely on the app for their photo editing needs.
8. Pixlr
Pixlr offers many robust photo editing tools that allow users to fine-tune their photos in detail. These tools include selective adjustments, color grading tools, and the ability to add text and shapes to photos.
Pixlr’s tools allow users to highlight specific features of a product, adjust lighting and color, and add branding or product information to their photos.
Some of the most distinctive features of Pixlr include:
- AI-powered cutout tool: this tool allows users to easily remove the background from their photos. The cutout tool uses artificial intelligence to identify the subject of a photo and separate it from the background.
- It has a considerable balance of UI and UX design, making it accessible to photographers of all skill levels. The app’s intuitive controls and clear icons make it easy to find and use the editing tools you need.
Drawbacks:
- Pixlr is primarily a photo editing app and does not offer robust photo management features. This means that users may need to use a separate content management software to organize and store their photos.
9. Instasize
Instasize allows users to resize and crop their images to fit specific dimensions, such as those required for publishing and curation platforms. This way, they can ensure that product images look professional and visually consistent.
Upsides:
- Background Eraser tool: This feature allows users to easily remove the background from their photos and replace it with a solid color or a new background image.
- Instasize is easy to use and requires no advanced photo editing skills, making it a great option for individuals who are new to photo editing or who want to enhance their images before sharing them online.
Drawbacks:
- It is primarily designed for editing photos and videos that are already saved on your device. The app does not support RAW image files, and it may not be the best option for editing images or videos that were shot on a professional camera.
- It’s only available as a mobile app and does not offer a desktop version. This may be a limitation for users who prefer to edit photos or videos on a larger screen.
10. PicsArt
PicsArt offers a vast library of text and sticker overlays that can be used to add unique elements to photos. These overlays can be customized with different fonts, colors, and sizes, giving users a wide range of options for enhancing their photos.
PicsArt has many unique features, but the most notable is its remix and collaboration feature. PicsArt allows users to collaborate with others to create unique photo edits. Users can take photos, edit them, and then share them with other users who can add their own touch to the image.
This collaborative approach to image editing is unique to PicsArt and can lead to some creative and unexpected results. In addition to photo editing, PicsArt also offers video editing capabilities.
Users can edit and enhance their videos using a range of tools and effects, including filters, stickers, and overlays. However, like many free apps, PicsArt includes ads that can be distracting or annoying. Some users may find the ads to be intrusive and detract from the overall user experience.
11. Fotor
If you’re new to photo editing and don’t know how to get started, you can count on Fotor’s comprehensive tutorials and guides to learn how to use the platform for product photography.
Upsides:
- Fotor features image adjustment tools like cropping, resizing, and color adjustment features. With these features, users can quickly fine-tune their product images to their exact specifications.
- The app also allows users to edit multiple images at once, which is particularly useful for product photography, where large numbers of images often need to be prepared for marketing campaigns.
- In addition to tutorials and guides, Fotor also has a support team that is available to answer any questions users may have. These resources can be especially helpful for those who may encounter issues or have questions that are not covered in the tutorials or guides.
Drawbacks:
- While Fotor offers several built-in templates for users to choose from, there is limited customization available within these templates. Users who want to create more unique designs may find this limiting.
DIY Product Photography Tips
1. Use natural lighting: Natural light is the best light source for product photography. Place your product near a window and use a diffuser or white sheet to soften the light.
2. Use a clean background: A clean, neutral background will help your product stand out. A white or light-colored background is usually best, but you can also experiment with different colors or textures.
3. Use a tripod: A tripod will help you keep your camera steady and reduce blur. If you don’t have a tripod, you can use a stable surface like a table or shelf.
4. Pay attention to composition: The composition of your image is important. Use the rule of thirds to place your product in the frame, and consider the angle and perspective of your shot.
5. Experiment with different angles: Take photos of your product from different angles to showcase its features and details. You can also try different camera settings like aperture and shutter speed to create different effects.
6. Use props: Props can add context and interest to your product photos. For example, if you’re selling jewelry, you could use a model’s hand to show the piece being worn.
7. Keep it consistent: Consistency is key when it comes to product photography. Try to use the same background, lighting, and composition for all of your product photos to create a cohesive look.
Final Thoughts
While high-quality photos are essential for marketing your product, you also need to create an effective product description. A product description should provide potential customers with important information about your product and why they should choose it over similar products. Also, incorporate customer reviews or testimonials in your product description to prove that your product is the best option.