What Is Augmented Reality (AR) And Why It’s the Future of Product Photography
Augmented reality (AR) has developed rapidly from science fiction concept to a science-based reality. AR is a type of virtual reality where the real world is enhanced or expanded through virtual elements, usually showcasing the elements on the view of a real world through a visual device.
Augmented reality works in different ways and used for many reasons, but in most cases virtual objects are projected in the real world, developing an illusion that they occupy a similar space. Augmented reality devices feature a display, a processor, a sensor, and an input device. These devices include gaming consoles, contact lenses, eyeglasses, head-mounted displays, smartphones, monitors, and others. Touch and sound feedback can be added to an augmented reality system.
How it Works
AR is live, and for it to function, someone has to see the real world as it is. Augmented reality alters the real world space, manipulating your idea of reality. In the first type of augmented reality, the individual views a recording of the real world space with virtual elements overlaid on it. A lot of sporting events use this form of AR.
The second type of augmented reality allows you to look around the environment in a normal way and in real time through a display which overlays info to develop an augmented experience. An example of such a display is Google Glass, which features a regular pair of glasses but comes with a small screen where users see GPS directions, send photos, check the weather, etc.
Once the virtual object is placed between the real world and the user, computer vision and object recognition can be used to allow an object to be manipulated by real physical objects, and allow the individual to interact with virtual elements.
For instance, some application allows customers to scan special codes or products which use augmented reality to show customers more info about physical features before they purchase them, check what is in their unopened packaged and read reviews from other customers.
Also, other mobile applications enable customers to choose a virtual version of a product they are considering to buy like furniture and see it in a real space of their home through their smartphone. They are capable of seeing their actual living room, for instance, but the virtual furniture they have selected is visible to them on their screen, allowing them to know if it will fit in the room.
AR and Product Photography
We have all seen a headset that allows you to capture photos in VR, but Augmented reality takes you a step further. It will enable you to view products in 3D in real-time and real-life environment through smartphones or tablets to improve user engagement. Besides, we try to be as unique as possible by taking the images of a product and map the texture on top of the 3D model to get a realistic effect.
AR allows manufacturers and retailers to connect and thereby enabling online customers to experience products while sitting at home before making a purchase. Online shoppers can view the products in 3D by rotating them and seeing all augmented contents before they decide to buy.
Since Apple’s recent announcement of AR Quick look; Shopify and Woocommerce have launched their AR ready platforms. Bringing your products closer to your consumer.
Augmented Reality in Browsers
Web-powered AR represents an incredible move toward making augmented reality experiences available to shoppers through mobile browsers. The AR browsers enhance the user’s camera display with background information. For instance, you can see its estimated value and history.
For Pic-Up, Augmented Reality Adds Another Dimension to Product Pages
Pic-Up, our company that specializes in product photography use 3D model created through AR to offer an immersive shopping experience which empowers shoppers to explore every angle, every part, and every inch of their products remotely. This area has been quite challenging for traditional product photography.
Launch Date
Pic-Up understands that getting a person to download an application that supports augmented reality and then use it as his or her main shopping application leads to a major transition for the person. However, having it incorporated in your browser like safari, the use of AR in product photography will become surge.
Besides, nothing matches the experience of personally visiting a shop and trying if the product is of the right fit, but our augmented reality offers potential customers with everything they need to make the right choice. The AR experience in product photography is in it’s last stages of development, and it is set to be launched on March.
Is the Furniture the Best Choice for my House?
For Pic-Up, augmented reality help in answering simple questions which are challenging in cases of online shopping. Seeing the actual product in 3D on your display means a lot. It helps answer a lot of questions, which makes it easier to make a decision.
The AR will allow users to see how the products look in their garage, living room, or wherever you keep it. Besides, using augmented reality helps in selling the future, high-tech feeling of a product. Web-powered augmented reality is set to revolutionize online shoppers, mainly where the purchase decisions depend on the setting where the product is to be used.
Augmented Reality the Showroom to your House
Pic-Up AR is an excellent alternative to visual merchandising, where instead of going to a decorated showcase of items on display, online shoppers can view products they intend to purchase and compare their space by seeing them next to a piece they own.
Being able to visualise a product in your space through your iPhone brings potential customers closer to the perception of owning it. The great thing about Pic-up AR is its ability to create satisfied customers. Most online shops consider it a failure if one of their customers return a product because it did not meet their expectations and it was not as described. These mix-ups are caused by customers not being able to visualise the item in their own setting.
Conclusion
Pic-Up AR offers an effective toolkit for business to develop their augmented reality experience. Moreover, as the full potential of augmented reality shopping experience continues to unearth, our aim is making products more valuable and more accessible for our customers.
Stats and Facts on the Importance of Good Product Photography
Most people learn best through observation and pictures. Product photography can increase your e-commerce sales. The more appealing your products look, the more customers it attracts. One of the reasons why photography is so vital is because people aren’t very good at explaining things they see.
Retailers should aim at displaying their products engagingly to their prospective customers. While a retailer might know their products inside out, customers might not. Today’s online customers know how to seek information which will steer their purchasing decisions. The information that is frequently sort includes social shares and online reviews. Therefore, showcasing a product allows e-commerce retailers to add worthiness and value.
Product Photography Adds Authority
Customers always have a perceived value of an item which depends on how they look. This is essential when differentiating between competitors. When customers are faced with identical products in different online stores, the quality of the picture used in a product will convert the sales. By nature, people prefer goods that look appealing to the eye.
Go Pro
Hire reputable and experienced services to get incredible shots. Besides, most products displayed on websites are usually in white backgrounds which is almost unavoidable when selling your items online. However, if you are looking to create a unique brand for your store and website which outshines the competition, consider incorporating lifestyle settings, prints and bright colours to showcase your products in exciting and appealing settings.
Many professional photographers give you multiple background colours to choose from making your products look appealing on social media platforms or your website.
Here at PIC-UP we’re all about making high quality product ecommerce photography easier, faster and more convenient for you. We know you want to spend your time doing what you do best, promoting and selling your products, while making your brand stand out for all the right reasons. Check our service out here.[/vc_column_text]
Clarity
A significant number of online returns take place because the products look quite different from the pictures displayed. Accurately presenting your products online saves you both money and time by helping you reduce the number of unsatisfied customers. Moreover, ensure that the photographs reflect the right photography lighting and represent the item you’re selling.
Also, a large number of online shoppers say that many camera angles influence them in making purchasing decisions. Pictures showing distance and close-up shots are vital, and a high-quality photo resolution is crucial in attracting customers. Most people can attest that clear photos capture their attention because they can clearly see the product they are looking for.
Most Customers Use Mobile Devices To Shop For Products
Most people access the internet through their smartphones, meaning that showcasing good photography to prospective customers who are the go is essential. Online shoppers who use mobile phones want quick and straightforward content and do not have the time to read lengthy content, so you need to allow the product photography to do the talking.
Besides, online stores should showcase their products on popular social media apps such as Instagram. In fact, Instagram has recently added shopping tags allowing brands to include a shop-able link to existing adverts. This strategy is valuable especially for mobile users who love the conveniences of buying while travelling on one click.
The Environment Influences Product Photography
Displaying your products in the environment where they are best suited is very vital for products such as all-weather fabric and shoes where the shopper can get the actual view of the item in actual usage. Indoor set up, and artificial lightning might not be appropriate for all products. Showcasing your products in a natural environment, especially for the outdoor products enhances their appeal.
Moreover, natural lightning makes it incredible for scenery photographs. If your business sells lawn equipment, capturing outdoor product photography can help customers get a better feeling for a product and make visually appealing photos.
A Tripod Brings Focus, Stability, And Consistency
When you hold the camera with your hands without moving, it is very easy to capture blurry images as you try to focus your entire product. A decent tripod can last for many years, and it is worth purchasing if you want high-quality photos. A tripod stabilises your camera when you’re shooting with a wide depth of field which helps avoid blurry pictures.
Editing Can Make The Difference Between Ordinary And Exceptional Photos
Editing photos after the shoot is important as it helps you get a flawless look. For beginners, capturing images in the right lighting and background takes trial and error. Fortunately, software or applications that edit photos can make flaws disappear. The software serves many purposes from colour correction to background removal, shadow addition, and mannequin removal for a natural look.
One Photo Is Not Enough
Potential customers who are looking forward to buying a product, particularly if it is expensive, will spend time looking at every detail of the product pages before making a decision. If you cannot provide all the information they need, they will not purchase the products. Such information includes decent photos. Utilise many product photos to make the details clear and attractive. Showcase how your product looks from all angles.
Real Photos Drive The Sales
There are websites where all their products look fake. Others use photos similar to those posted online the only difference being the colour settings altered through Photoshop. Prospective customers often compare how the product will fit into their life. Therefore, if you show them real products in real situations, customers will be able to apply to apply them in their own circumstances, needs, and situations.
Stats About Good Product Photography
- 65% of users prefer emails made up of images whereas only 35% like those that are text heavy.
- 65% of the population comprises of visual learners.
- According to Simply Measured, there is 46% increase in content engagement for brands as well as 65% increase in photo engagement.
- If your content has images, you have an average of 94% more views than your counterparts.
- A study conducted by Social Bakers indicated that photos standout in the market through Facebook, making up 98% of most engaging posts engaging markets on social media.
- According to PewResearch, 35% of internet users are willing to share photos they browse on the web.
Need professional product photography?
If this all sounds too much we can help. Here at PIC-UP we’re all about making high quality product ecommerce photography easier, faster and more convenient for you. We know you want to spend your time doing what you do best, promoting and selling your products, while making your brand stand out for all the right reasons. We make sure there’s only a couple of clicks between getting a competitive price and paying.
How Outsourcing your Product Photography Could Save you Time, Money and a Headache
Outsourcing your Product Photography means hiring a local photographer for your project. Although the level of service differs between product photographers, outsourced product photography projects include:
Product Delivery – In most cases, you start by delivering your products for a photo shoot. However, few photographers, like PIC-UP, can pick the products from your business location and bring them to their workplace.
Photography – Done by a professional photographer or a service provider.
Image Editing – A great photographer should be able to use editing software. Capturing a photo is only a single step in the professional process. The second step is utilizing an editing software to make sure that images are incredible. Moreover, more tweaks can be made post-shot.
Delivery – After completing the process, the products are returned and the images outsourced are delivered in the format needed.
Outsourcing Product Photography Saves Time and Space
Capturing perfect photos for your products can take a long time especially when you have a lot of products. Outsourcing your product photography frees up that time, leaving you with more time to concentrate on growing your business.
DIY setup is connected directly to your business place meaning that you will need more space for a studio. This might not be a problem if you are dealing will a small amount of products. If things are picking up and you have ample stock, it would be best if you outsource your project to save space for more inventory.
Outsourcing product photography involves hiring an offshore team who can even work overnight meaning that the task can be accomplished in 24 hours or less. Besides, a UK based team can offer you support when you need it.
Saves Money
If you go for in-house photography, you will need to buy equipment such as a tripod, lenses, light diffuser, and a digital camera. Additionally, you will also need a variety of product photography software like Photoshop to produce consistently high-quality images. Besides, you’ll need staff members who are experienced and skilled in such programs. An image production management program that will assist your quality and production control systems, enhance your production, and offer you with workflow tools is also a necessity.
If you choose to outsource your product photography, you bypass all the requirements mentioned above thus saving a lot of money that would be used to purchase the equipment and the software. Professional product photographers offer you common services such as:
- Collecting, shipping, or returning products depending on what is agreed.
- Unpacking, photographing, and re-packing your products according to your specifications
- Review, and format the photographs
- Undertaking quality control of images
- Delivering the products in accordance with the set timeline or deadline.
Moreover, professional photographers understand that the product line can expand especially when the demand increases, and want to offer you an opportunity to have every product photographed. They also allow you to select any background you like. This provides you with an excellent opportunity to save a lot of money.
Constant & Better Quality
Professionals ensure that product pictures look identical and are equally of good quality. Some businesses that prefer doing product photography on their own find it challenging to achieve a constant quality on multiple products. Doing on your own might not be a problem if your business is selling on different types of products, but if you sell one product in various sizes, colours, and settings, you will want all the images to look identical in both quality and style.
Besides, no matter how your own setup is, the chances are that you cannot complete with a proficient photographer. There will be a big difference especially if you sell products like expensive watches, jewellery. A skilled photographer who has his or her own studio can easily achieve an exceptional look with ease.
Outsourcing Can Handle Added Instructions
Anything which is not related to your primary business can be a distraction. Product photography requires processes, people, and equipment that should be maintained and managed. Images should be captured, edited, formatted and distributed. Professional product photographers can easily handle an extra function once it is introduced.
Staff Time & Expertise
In-house product photography means that you’ll have to redistribute your employees to do the project. However, this may have a significant impact on their basic tasks, and the distractions they will experience. Moreover, a product photography project takes long if the employees are needed to accomplish their tasks, or are distracted by other urgencies.
Furthermore, the staff might not be experienced or skilled enough to handle product photography. And, if they do not have the needed skills, they’ll slow down productivity and cause mistakes that consume a lot of time when fixing. Outsourcing to a reputable professional who has experience and high skill levels make it simple to meet deadlines and reduce poor consistency and the likelihood of making mistakes.
Pick Your Product Photographers Carefully
When outsourcing, keep in mind that the photographers you choose may represent your business. Be keen and thorough when selecting product photographers. Do not hand off a critical component to someone who may not give you the attention and time needed to do a great job.
Also, after hiring a company, ensure that you regularly review the relationship. Do not assume that because you hired the best product photographer, they are getting the work done. It does not work that way, and you do not want to realize after a couple of weeks that all they did was to make everything worse.
All-in-all do not spend all your money on some tasks that can be outsourced, leaving you with a little time to deal with vital business matters that will inevitably emerge. Outsource to make your staff focus on what they are good at.
