Product Photography with Direct Sunlight
A course by Paloma RincónPhotographer
A course by Paloma Rincón, Photographer
Learn techniques to use sunlight and make your photographs stand out on social media
Light, composition, color, materials, balance. All of these terms are crucial when creating a photograph that grabs your attention among all the images that we unconsciously consume daily on social media. If anyone knows how to create stunning photographs, it's the renowned photographer Paloma Rincón. A specialist in product photography, Paloma manages to use her images to transport you to worlds full of strength and color.
In her previous course, High Speed Product Photography, Paloma introduces us to product shoots. Now, learn how to work with sunlight to create bright and colorful graphic compositions to present a product or idea by creating visually powerful content that works on social media.
What will you learn in this online course?
14 lessons & 31 downloads
What will we do during the course?
52 seconds
Introduction and previous approaches
10 minutes, 32 seconds
Composition
11 minutes, 58 seconds
How to use shadows as a creative resource
8 minutes, 6 seconds
Take advantage of the scene
12 minutes, 39 seconds
Creative development: moodboard and treatment
14 minutes, 14 seconds
What's included in this course?
Start by learning more about Paloma, her background, and how it has influenced her visual world. She also talks about her inspiration and influences.
She shares tips to take your compositions beyond the rule of thirds, understanding how to use shadows as a creative resource and the formats that work for social media.
Learn to work with direct sunlight and see how different types of materials respond to hard light. Explore shadow projection from materials with and without transparency. It is important to experiment, either with materials or with different objects, to be able to get the most out of your compositions.
Apps like Sun Surveyor help you predict the path of sunlight and set a time slot to carry out your photo shoot. Make a mood board or style board to solidify the ideas in your head. In addition, develop a treatment for each of them: color palette, materials, composition, and point of view.
Explore Adobe Lightroom and Snapseed, which are really useful applications when taking photos and editing them. Camera, action! Create your compositions by experimenting with shadows and shoot the images from various points of view. Then, adjust the exposure using the highlight indicator to check that nothing is overexposed or underexposed in the image.
Finally, adjust the framing, color, and light values of the images, making them ready for publication. Paloma shares some valuable tips to reach more followers in a qualitative way.
Ready to shine on social media?
Recommended software & tools for this course
What is this course's project?
Photograph a series of three product images for social media, edit them, and make them ready to post on Instagram by putting into practice the techniques for working with sunlight that Paloma explains.
Projects by course students
Who is this online course for?
This course is aimed at all creative minds who like to create images. It is a course that starts at level 0 and may interest photographers or future photographers, art directors, or designers. It is perfect for beginners, although those with a more advanced level can take the knowledge gained to another level.
Requirements and materials
You do not need to have previous knowledge beyond being familiar with a smartphone with a camera and the use of social media.
The essentials are a smartphone or a camera, colored cardboard, the objects you want to photograph (a bottle, a glass or cup, liquid, and some fruits), an outdoor area with sun, and an umbrella.
Reviews
- 7 months ago
I'm a fan of this course!
- 1 year ago
Espectacular curso, te enseña a utilizar la luz solar a tu favor y a perderle el miedo a hacerlo. Aprendí bastante y me siento mucho muy agradecido.
- 1 year ago
Me gusto mucho este curso, perfecto cuando te quieres introducir en la fotografía de producto.
- 2 years ago
tremendo curso
- 2 years ago
Me gusta mucho este curso! es muy fácil de entender todas sus explicaciones:)
Her work is mainly focused on the world of still lifes. She creates images at the limits of where photography meets sculpture, installation, and design. She merges different languages through a meticulous process where the elements are composed outside of their usual context, redefining their meaning.
With a very graphic style, she works with composition and color in a dynamic and optimistic way, combining a precise use of the technique and the creativity of an artisan.
Some of her clients: IKEA, Sonos, Samsung, Oreo, Playstation, Powerade, Kleenex, Vodafone, Toyota, Schweppes, Swatch, Yoigo, Renfe, Ono, Estrella Damm, Voll Damm, Aquarius, Architectural Digest, Universal Music, DCODE Festival, Serial Cut, and agencies such as Saatchi & Saatchi LA, JWT NY, TBWA, 72 & Sunny LA, Ogilvy Madrid, Leo Burnett Budapest, Herezie Paris, Publicis, Sra. Rushmore, China Madrid, and SCPF, among others.
Content
- U1
Presentation
- Hello!
- Influences
- What will we do during the course?
- U2
Work and preproduction methodology
- Introduction and previous approaches
- Composition
- How to use shadows as a creative resource
- Take advantage of the scene
- Creative development: moodboard and treatment
- materials
- U3
Set shot
- Shooting the image with a high point of view (zenith)
- Shooting the image with a low point of view (isometric and frontal)
- Shooting the image with a low point of view (isometric and frontal) II
- U4
Last touches
- Retouching and adjustments
- Publication
- FP
Final project
- Product Photography for Social Networks
What to expect from a Domestika course
Learn at your own pace
Enjoy learning from home without a set schedule and with an easy-to-follow method. You set your own pace.
Learn from the best professionals
Learn valuable methods and techniques explained by top experts in the creative sector.
Meet expert teachers
Each expert teaches what they do best, with clear guidelines, true passion, and professional insight in every lesson.
Certificates
PLUSIf you're a Plus member, get a custom certificate signed by your teacher for every course. Share it on your portfolio, social media, or wherever you like.
Get front-row seats
Videos of the highest quality, so you don't miss a single detail. With unlimited access, you can watch them as many times as you need to perfect your technique.
Share knowledge and ideas
Ask questions, request feedback, or offer solutions. Share your learning experience with other students in the community who are as passionate about creativity as you are.
Connect with a global creative community
The community is home to millions of people from around the world who are curious and passionate about exploring and expressing their creativity.
Watch professionally produced courses
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FAQs
You’ll learn how to create still life compositions using direct sunlight, control creative shadows, select color palettes, work with materials, and prepare your images for social media, integrating art direction and set design.
Yes, the course is designed for those with basic photography knowledge who want to refine their skills in composition, natural lighting, and creativity in still life.
You’ll need a digital camera or smartphone, everyday objects (like fruit, drinks, colored backgrounds), access to sunlight, homemade reflectors, and mobile apps for editing and visual planning.
The course teaches you how to use direct sunlight and manipulate shadows to create eye-catching effects, enhance textures, and add dynamism to outdoor product photography.
A mood board is a visual tool to define the style, colors, and references for a shoot. You’ll learn how to create one and use it to guide the creative direction of your photography projects.
You can complete the course using only your smartphone, as it covers composition, lighting, and mobile retouching techniques that don’t require a professional camera.
By the end, you’ll be able to create creative, advertising-style still lifes with natural light, master composition and color, and edit and optimize your photos for social media and professional projects.