When shopping online, you rely on the images you see on websites to get an idea of the product you want to buy. But it often happens that the product looks different in real life than in the photo. This can be disappointing, especially if you had high expectations based on the photos. In this blog I explain why this happens and how screens can affect the way you see product photos.
Photography and Post-Processing
1. Professional Lighting: Product photos are usually taken in a controlled environment with professional lighting. This ensures that the product looks its best. The lighting can accentuate colors and textures that are less visible in normal light.
2. Post-processing: After taking the photos, they are often edited with software such as Photoshop. Colors are adjusted, imperfections are removed and the product is made more visually appealing. This can lead to a difference between the image and the real product.
Technical Differences Between Screens
1. Screen resolution: Screens have different resolutions, meaning the number of pixels they can display varies. An image on a higher resolution screen may be sharper and more detailed than on a lower resolution screen. This affects the perceived quality and detail of a product photo.
2. Color Calibration: Not all monitors are calibrated equally. Professional graphic design monitors are often calibrated to display colors as accurately as possible. Consumer monitors, televisions, and phone screens often are not, which can lead to color variations.
3. Screen Technology: Different screens use different technologies, such as LCD, LED, OLED, and Retina. Each technology has its own way of displaying colors and brightness, which can result in variations in how a photo appears.
4. Brightness and Contrast: The brightness and contrast of a screen can be adjusted by the user. Higher brightness and contrast can make colors appear more vivid, while lower settings can cause colors to wash out.
Environmental Factors and User Settings
1. Viewing angle: Especially with LCD screens, the viewing angle can affect the colors and brightness you see. When viewed from a certain angle, the colors and brightness can change, affecting the perception of the image.
2. Blue Light Filters and Night Mode: Many devices have blue light filters or night modes that warm up the colors to reduce eye strain. This can alter the colors of product photos and make them less accurate compared to the original image.
3. Software Adjustments: Operating systems and browsers may apply their own color management and adjustments. Some browsers have color correction settings that may display images differently than other browsers.
4. Ambient Light: The amount and type of ambient light in which you view a screen can also affect the perception of colors and brightness. Bright sunlight can make a screen appear different than when you view it in a dark room.
Why It's Important
It’s important to understand why product photos can appear differently on different screens so you can make more informed purchases. Be aware of the technical and environmental factors that can affect what you see. If you have any doubts about a product based on its photos, read the descriptions carefully and look for reviews from other customers. This can help you get a better idea of what to expect.
Conclusion
The next time you’re shopping online and see a product photo, remember that a variety of factors, from professional lighting and post-processing to the technical properties of your screen, can affect how the product looks. Keeping these factors in mind can help you understand why there’s sometimes a difference between the photo and reality, and help you avoid disappointment.
Happy shopping!