What is AI Photo Assistant, and why is it not another product photography AI post-production feature?

Moving beyond AI post-production

When we talk about artificial intelligence in product photography, most solutions revolve around post-production for AI product photos. These tools usually handle tasks like background removal, shadow enhancements, cropping, or AI-generated backgrounds. Some advanced ones can replace mannequins with AI-generated models, but the effectiveness of these features largely depends on one crucial factor: the quality of the input image. A poorly lit photo with little detail makes even the most advanced AI powerless, leaving you with results way below your expectations.

But what if AI could step in earlier in the workflow process? What if it could ensure that the input image itself is near-perfect? Good idea, right? That's what we thought. And that's why we've created the AI Photo Assistant in the ALPHASHOT PRO G2. Unlike traditional AI tools that rely on cleaning up after the fact, this technology focuses on image capture—right where the foundation of a great photo is laid.

The challenges of modern product photography

In today's e-commerce, product photography has become critical in driving sales and minimizing returns. Shoppers rely heavily on visuals to make purchasing decisions, often analyzing product images for details that reflect the texture, color, and quality of the item. To meet these expectations, e-commerce businesses must showcase their products from multiple angles, highlighting intricate details to build customer confidence that they're buying the right item.

Some industries have gone one step further. For example, by taking advantage of technologies like augmented reality (AR) and 3D imaging, transforming the online shopping experience into almost "in-store browsing". Businesses like IKEA use AR technology to endorse the ‘try before you buy it’ approach and attract a new group of customers. 

However, no matter how advanced the technology, the foundation of effective product representation lies in the quality of the original photo. Precise lighting to capture accurate colors, textures that look true to life, sharp focus, and glare-free surfaces are essential for creating images that convert browsers into buyers and reduce return rates.

The outsourcing isn’t the only way

But achieving this kind of quality is costly. Renting a studio, transporting the products, and hiring professional photographers to do the photoshoot are common but costly steps. For smaller businesses, taking photos in-house might seem more affordable, but, again, it requires a high level of expertise to avoid common photography mistakes.

This is where innovative solutions like AI-driven image capture can bridge the gap. By simplifying the photography process and ensuring high-quality results from the start, businesses can reduce costs, save time, and deliver images that truly represent their products - all without compromising professionalism.

How Orbitvu's AI Photo Assistant works

The AI Photo Assistant doesn't just "enhance" photos; it actively helps the content creator produce them. The system uses AI to analyze the type, shape, and texture of the product you want to photograph. It then determines the best lighting setup and suggests several options tailored to your product's unique features.

This capability isn't a shot in the dark. It's built on a foundation of expertise, using thousands of professional-quality images captured in the ALPHASHOT PRO G2 by seasoned photographers. Each reference image is grouped by product type, training the AI to recognize the nuances of various categories, from shiny jewelry to textured fabrics, and creating different styles of lighting, camera setup and post-production settings for each of them. Moreover, the system continuously learns and improves through cloud-based updates, adding new product categories over time.

AI product photography is for everyone 

For beginners, the AI Photo Assistant is a game-changer. There's no need to master the lighting techniques or Photoshop skills and spend hours on creating various setups—AI handles the heavy lifting, allowing newcomers to focus on capturing their products.

However, if you want to dive deeper into lighting setup, check out our guide, which has all the tips, tricks, and techniques from professional photographers.

Seasoned photographers, on the other hand, can use the AI Photo Assistant to significantly speed up their workflow. Instead of setting up lights from scratch for every product, they can rely on AI to provide a near-perfect starting point. 

This efficiency frees up time for creative exploration, enabling them to experiment with more artistic lighting setups to craft unique and engaging visuals. Importantly, the AI doesn't take away control—it enhances it. Through the adaptable widget, photographers can fine-tune lighting settings to match their vision or adapt to the product's specific needs.

In the end, you're the one choosing the final result of the product photos.

Focused on the source, not the symptoms

ALPHASHOT PRO G2's approach is a game-changer because it addresses the root of great product photography: the initial capture. While many tools depend on AI to fix problems after the photo is taken, the AI Photo Assistant ensures fewer problems occur in the first place. 

The post-production features in the ALPHASHOT PRO G2 are hardware-driven and non-AI, which means they complement the already stellar images captured by the device rather than serving as a way to fix mistakes.

The unique features of ALPHASHOT PRO G2

AI Photo Assistant

This AI-assisted product photography tool makes the otherwise complex light system setup with a click of a button. Even the most difficult products can be captured by non-photographers.

Advanced high-contrast lighting

The panel lighting made of 74 lighting sources all around the product sets a new standard of precision. Now, users can easily highlight the details and textures of products and position lights digitally in seconds.

Integrated motorized turntable with the encoder

This feature allows for easy product positioning and capture. The encoder provides angle position measurement, enabling close loop control & precise positioning of items up to 10 kg.

Hardware-based post-production

Orbitvu's hardware-based technology allows natural shadows to be made on the go as the photo is taken. This means you can generate product photos faster than ever without compromising quality. The process is also fast, pixel-precise, controllable, and there are no extra costs.

Learn more about the AI-powered photo studio from its product brochure.

Summary

As you can see, Orbitvu's AI Photo Assistant isn't another post-processing feature. You can actually create stunning product photos from start to finish. It's the go-to product photography tool for content creators of all expertise levels.

Want to see this feature first-hand? Let us show you how an AI-powered studio can help you produce world-class content in seconds!