By name: ai-product-photography description: "AI product photography guide. Background removal, studio prompts, e-commerce outputs." allowed-tools: [] disable-model-invocation: false
AI Product Photography Guide
Produce e-commerce-ready product images using /pocket-knife:background-removal and /pocket-knife:ai-image-generation.
No physical studio required — AI handles background replacement and scene composition.
Two Core Workflows
Workflow A: Real product photo → clean studio background
Use when you have an existing product photo and want a professional background.
Step 1: /pocket-knife:background-removal
Input: IMAGE_URL = public URL of product photo
Output: PNG with transparent background
Step 2: Upload PNG to a public host → get public URL
Step 3: /pocket-knife:ai-image-generation
Input: PROMPT = product description + studio background scene
Output: Final composite image
Workflow B: Generate product image from scratch
Use when you need a product concept, variation, or you don't have a photo yet.
Step 1: /pocket-knife:ai-image-generation
Input: PROMPT = detailed product + background + lighting description
Output: ~/Downloads/product_[timestamp].png
Studio Lighting Prompts
Lighting is the single most important factor in professional product photography.
| Lighting style | Prompt fragment | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| White seamless | "white seamless background, soft studio lighting, even illumination" |
All products; safest default |
| Beauty dish | "beauty dish lighting, crisp highlights, light grey background" |
Cosmetics, jewelry |
| Gradient backdrop | "gradient studio backdrop, light grey to white, professional" |
Electronics, tech |
| Natural window | "soft natural window light, white surface, airy and bright" |
Food, lifestyle products |
| Dark luxury | "dark studio background, dramatic side lighting, moody, premium feel" |
Watches, spirits, perfume |
| Flat lay | "flat lay composition, overhead shot, white marble surface, even light" |
Small products, accessories |
Full Prompt Formula for Product Photography
[Product description] + [Background/surface] + [Lighting] + [Shot type] + [Style] + [Technical]
Examples:
| Product | Complete prompt |
|---|---|
| Running shoes | "pair of white running shoes, white seamless studio background, soft diffused lighting, side view, product photography, sharp focus, 4K" |
| Perfume bottle | "luxury perfume bottle with gold cap, dark black background, dramatic rim lighting, three-quarter view, high-end product photography, reflective surface" |
| Skincare cream | "white skincare cream jar, light grey gradient background, beauty dish lighting, centered, clean product shot, sharp detail" |
| Coffee mug | "ceramic coffee mug with steam, rustic wooden table, warm window light, lifestyle product shot, cozy atmosphere" |
| Smartwatch | "smartwatch on white surface, top-down flat lay, even studio lighting, tech product photography, minimal composition" |
E-Commerce Platform Specifications
| Platform | Required ratio | Minimum resolution | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon main image | 1:1 | 1000×1000px | Pure white only |
| Shopify product | 1:1 or 4:5 | 800×800px | White or clean |
| Instagram shop | 1:1 | 1080×1080px | Any |
| Google Shopping | 1:1 | 250×250px min | White preferred |
| 2:3 | 1000×1500px | Any |
Amazon requirement: Pure white background (#FFFFFF) with no shadows touching the edges. Use the ASPECT_RATIO: 1:1 parameter and include "pure white background" explicitly in the prompt.
Background Removal: When to Use It
Use /pocket-knife:background-removal when:
- You have a real product photo with a complex background
- You want to test multiple backgrounds without re-shooting
- The original background is inconsistent (shadows, props, clutter)
Image requirements for good background removal:
- Product must have clear edges (avoid transparent/glass products without additional setup)
- High contrast between product and background improves edge detection
- Resolution: 512×512 minimum; higher is better
Composition Principles
| Principle | Application |
|---|---|
| Rule of thirds | Position product at a third-point, not dead center, for lifestyle shots |
| Negative space | Leave empty space around product to allow text overlay for ads |
| Multiple angles | Generate front, side, three-quarter, and detail shots as a set |
| Prop consistency | Keep lifestyle props minimal and brand-consistent |
| Color harmony | Background color should complement, not compete with, product color |
Common Mistakes and Fixes
| Mistake | Fix |
|---|---|
| Product blends into white background | Add "subtle drop shadow" or switch to light grey gradient |
| Background removal leaves rough edges | Use higher-resolution source image; re-upload at 1024px+ |
| Reflective products (glass, metal) look flat | Add "reflective surface, specular highlights" to prompt |
| Colors look washed out | Add "vibrant colors, high contrast, accurate color" to prompt |
| Amazon rejects non-white background | Use "pure white #FFFFFF background, no shadows, no props" |
| Product looks AI-generated | Use /pocket-knife:background-removal on a real photo instead |
Batch Production Workflow
For a complete product page (6 angles + lifestyle):
- Generate each angle as a separate prompt with consistent lighting descriptors
- Use the same lighting language across all prompts for visual consistency
- Add one lifestyle/contextual shot with a
"in use"scene - Apply background removal to isolate product for the white-background hero image
- Resize to platform requirements using any image editor
Workflow with Other Skills
/pocket-knife:background-removal— isolate product from complex backgrounds/pocket-knife:ai-image-generation— generate product on new backgrounds/pocket-knife:image-to-video— animate the product for video ads (rotation, reveal)/pocket-knife:elevenlabs-tts— add product narration voiceover to a video ad