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Red on Red: How to make products pop against same-color backgrounds

Martin Hallik

2,022 views

Become a Studio Insider: Get full access to my commercial masterclasses, business tips, and working files. Join the circle here: @martinhallikvisuals

Ever struggled with a product blending into the background? In this tutorial, I show you exactly how to light a red product on a red background so it stands out with professional depth and contrast.

It’s all about the subtle play of light and shadows. I’m breaking down the entire setup!

🔥 GET THE LIGHTING BREAKDOWN, RAW file & LAYERED PSD:
If you want to practice your retouching or see exactly how I built this shot, you can download the LIGHTING BREAKDOWN, RAW files and the fully layered PSD here:
https://buymeacoffee.com/martinhallik...

What you’ll learn in this video:

How to create separation with same-color styling.
The importance of rim lighting for product edges.
My specific lighting setup for this shoot.

Join the conversation:
What’s the hardest color combination you’ve ever had to shoot? Let me know in the comments! 👇

Gear used in this video:

Canon EOS R5C
Canon EF100mm F2.8
Profoto studio flashes
Music: @artlist_io

#ProductPhotography #LightingTutorial #PhotographyTips #CanonR5C #Profoto #RedOnRed

9 Comments

@martinhallikvisuals Creator 7 months ago Pinned

You can download the Lighting breakdown with editing files from the link in the description to follow along with the edit. Which color challenge should I tackle next?

@hectorsalia5369 1 month ago

DESDE MEXICO, GRACIAS!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙌

@JackieZCreation 2 months ago

Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us, it's so generous of you, your videos are very helpful!

@MigelPodsolnuh_Photo 7 months ago

What a beautiful result! Thanks for sharing your experience! Great work, I also want to learn how to capture a product and background in one shot, and your video is helpful in that regard!

@invinceshaik 7 months ago

Excellent video. Wanted to know more about the power stops used for each of the lights.

@videocasetteTV 5 months ago

why the diffusion panel is slanted

@The_Thin_Man 7 months ago

Another excellent, step-by-step video demystifying product photography lighting, Martin! You use your diffusion scrim in nearly every video. Care to share more about what size this panel is, what brand and the type of diffusion in it (I'm banking on Lee 216)? It seems quite versatile.

@MigelPodsolnuh_Photo 7 months ago

I had an idea to photograph a toy model of a vintage car, but to make it look like it was a real, large car, following all the rules of this type of photography. Have you tried taking photos like this? If not, would you like to shoot something like this? I'm planning to do such a shoot soon 🤠

@TylerX145 7 months ago

Martin, this was very helpful! I am a Photography Student in Nova Scotia, Canada and have an interest in commercial photography, especially products. I have watched quite a few of your videos now and each one has helped me understand the lighting setups more and more. I am working on my own project to shoot these everyday objects in the studio in creative ways, although I still find I struggle to start with the lights and composition of the product. How do you envision these setups? I'm sure by now it just comes down to your experience and knowledge, but what is your thought process when you see the product? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you for your time.