Short answer: the most common way to make a product look like it is floating is to hold it in place with a thin, clear support, then hide the support behind the product or remove it in editing. Clear acrylic rods are a popular choice because they stay almost invisible next to glass and glossy packaging.
What you need
- A clear acrylic rod sized to the product's weight: thin for light items, thicker for heavier ones. The Daka Clear Acrylic Round Rod comes in diameters from 2 mm to 50 mm and lengths from 100 to 500 mm.
- Something to hold the rod steady, such as a spring clamp on a stand or a flexible clamp arm.
- A diffuser to keep highlights soft on glass and gloss.
Step by step
- Position the rod behind or directly beneath the product so it sits along the product's edge and out of the camera's line of sight.
- Secure the product to the rod with a small piece of putty or tape.
- Light the scene softly. Glass and acrylic catch reflections, so keep bright sources away from the rod and soften the light with a diffuser.
- If you plan to remove the rod in editing, shoot a clean frame of the same scene without the product first.
Tips
- Keep the cut ends of the rod out of frame, because they catch light.
- Match rod thickness to product weight so the product stays steady.
- Shoot slightly from below or level with the product to keep the support hidden.
FAQ
Will the rod show up in the photo?
Clear acrylic can still show edge reflections. Angle your light so it does not flare along the rod, and clean up any trace in editing.
What rod size should I use?
Choose a thinner rod for light items such as small cosmetics and a thicker rod for heavier or larger products.
Browse the Styling & Props collection for acrylic props and reflective boards.
