NEEWER FLASH Q120 Workflow: Easy Budget Two-Light Product Photography
Workflow tutorial · Product photography
You do not need a large studio or an expensive lighting kit to create clean product photographs for an online shop. In this practical workflow, I use two compact NEEWER Q120 flashes, a sheet of white card and a camera with a hot shoe to build an affordable mini studio at home.
Disclosure: This video was made in collaboration with NEEWER, who provided the products featured. Some links are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission from a qualifying purchase at no additional cost to you.
The quick answer: how do you photograph products on a budget?
Create a curved white background from A1 art card, place the product inside the sweep, and bounce two flashes off a low white ceiling. Set both flashes to quarter power, then begin with the camera at ISO 50, 1/125 second and f/9. A focal length around 70mm keeps the product looking natural while giving you enough working distance to frame it cleanly.
Equipment used for this mini product studio
- Two NEEWER Q120 120Ws flashes with their diffuser domes fitted
- NEEWER QZ-S wireless flash trigger for the Sony camera system
- Sony A7 IV camera
- Sony 24–70mm lens, used at approximately 70mm
- White A1 art card for the seamless background
- A supporting art board, partly cut so it can bend to a right angle
- Optional iPad, Capture One and Tether Tools cable for tethered review
You do not specifically need a Sony A7 IV. Almost any camera with a compatible hot shoe and the correct version of the NEEWER trigger can be used. The QZ trigger is available for Sony, Canon, Nikon and Fujifilm systems; always choose the version made for your camera.
Camera and flash settings
| Camera | Sony A7 IV |
|---|---|
| Lens and focal length | Sony 24–70mm at approximately 70mm |
| Exposure mode | Manual |
| Shutter speed | 1/125 second |
| Aperture | f/9 |
| ISO | ISO 50; ISO 100 is also a practical starting point |
| Flash power | 1/4 power on both NEEWER Q120 flashes |
| Light direction | Both flashes bounced into a low white ceiling |
| Diffusion | Q120 diffuser domes fitted |
| Capture | Tethered to Capture One on an iPad; optional |
The complete two-light product photography workflow
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Build a seamless white sweep
Curve a sheet of white A1 art card from the tabletop up towards the wall. Avoid making a hard fold: the gentle curve removes the visible horizon line and creates the clean background associated with e-commerce photography. I placed a partly cut art board behind the card so it could bend at a right angle and support the sweep.
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Position the product inside the cove
Move the product backwards into the white cove rather than placing it too close to the front edge. This gives the bounced light more room to reach the top of the label and helps the background remain even. Check that the front label is square to the camera unless you deliberately want a three-quarter view.
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Aim both flashes at the ceiling
Instead of pointing the Q120 flashes directly at the product, aim them upwards and use a low white ceiling as a large bounce surface. This turns two small sources into a broad, soft light that wraps around the product. Keep the diffuser domes fitted to soften and spread the light further.
Important: a very high, dark or strongly coloured ceiling will reduce output or add a colour cast. In that situation, use a white umbrella, diffusion panel or another neutral bounce surface instead.
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Set both NEEWER Q120 flashes to quarter power
Assign the flash heads to groups on the QZ-S trigger and begin at 1/4 power. The trigger lets you alter each group without walking over to the lights. If you reduce the power after a higher setting and hear the unit bleep, fire a test flash so it can discharge the excess stored power.
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Dial in a repeatable manual exposure
Start at 1/125 second, f/9 and ISO 50. The small aperture provides useful depth of field for a product and label, while the low ISO keeps noise to a minimum. ISO 100 is also perfectly workable if it is your camera's standard base setting. Adjust flash power before changing the camera settings when you want consistent results across a series of products.
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Use a longer focal length and refine the camera height
Zoom to approximately 70mm and raise the camera slightly so the label receives and reflects the overhead bounce light evenly. If the top of the label looks dark, move the product farther into the cove or raise the camera until the face of the product is presented cleanly to the lens.
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Test, inspect and make small adjustments
Shoot a frame and zoom in on the label, edges and background. Tethering into Capture One on an iPad makes this faster, but it is not essential; you can review images on the camera or shoot JPEGs for a simpler workflow. Look for sharp text, a clean label, controlled highlights and enough separation between the product and the background.
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Keep the final images consistent
Once the exposure and product position are working, mark the positions and avoid changing them unnecessarily. A repeatable setup makes a group of product images feel like one coherent e-commerce range and reduces editing time later.
Why the window light does not affect this flash setup
There was daylight entering the room during this shoot, but it did not noticeably affect the image. At ISO 50, 1/125 second and f/9, the ambient exposure was low enough for the two flashes to overpower the window light. This is one of the main advantages of flash for small-business product photography: you can create a controlled and repeatable result without waiting for identical daylight every time.
If ambient light begins to appear in your test frame, close the curtains, move away from the window or lower the ambient exposure while remaining within your camera's flash-sync limit.
Why the NEEWER Q120 suits a compact home studio
The Q120 is compact enough for a small camera bag but provides substantially more flexibility than an on-camera flash. The detachable diffuser dome is useful for this ceiling-bounce setup, while the 1/4-20 threaded mounts and included bracket make it easy to place the head on a light stand. The bracket also includes an umbrella mount for a shoot-through or reflective umbrella when a ceiling bounce is not practical.
The removable battery can be charged separately by USB-C, and the flash head also includes USB-C charging and a sync port. For scale, the flash head is roughly comparable in size to the Sony 24–70mm lens shown in the video, making a two-light kit realistic for location work as well as a home tabletop setup.
Budget product photography FAQ
What settings should I use for product photography with flash?
For this setup, begin at ISO 50 or ISO 100, 1/125 second and f/9, with both flashes set to 1/4 power. Treat these as starting settings and adjust for your room, ceiling height, product and camera.
Do I need two flashes for e-commerce photography?
Two flashes make it easier to produce even light across the product and white background. You can begin with one flash and a white reflector, but the second light generally provides more power, coverage and control.
Can I use a different camera?
Yes. A specialist camera body is not essential. Use a camera with a compatible hot shoe and the correct flash-trigger version for your system. Manual exposure and the ability to synchronise with an off-camera flash are the important features.
Do I need to tether into Capture One?
No. Tethering makes it easier to inspect focus and small label details on a larger screen, but the same lighting workflow works when reviewing images on the camera or shooting JPEGs.
Can these images be cut out for a pure white website background?
Yes. The clean sweep and even illumination make the product easier to mask or cut out during editing. Preserve edge detail and avoid overexposing pale or transparent parts of the product.
What if I do not have a white ceiling?
Use a white shoot-through umbrella, reflective umbrella, diffusion panel or portable bounce surface. The aim is to turn each compact flash into a larger, softer source without introducing a colour cast.
NEEWER Q120 and QZ-S links
- Shop the NEEWER Q120 using the regional link
- Shop the NEEWER QZ-S flash trigger
- View the Prime Big Deal Days Q120 offer
- Watch the complete NEEWER Q120 workflow video
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