Beyond the Hole: Shooting Straight-On with the Light Cone

Most people think the Light Cone is only meant for one thing — shooting straight down through the top opening.
And to be fair, that’s how most of us start using it. You drop it over your product, shoot top-down, and enjoy those perfectly diffused reflections.
But what if your subject isn’t flat?

What if it’s something like a bottle — round, glossy, and rolling away the second you try to shoot it from above?
That’s where today’s setup comes in.

The “Aha” Moment

In this video, we’re flipping the Light Cone on its side — literally.
Instead of shooting through the main top hole, we’re shooting our object straight on or at a 45-degree angle.
To do that, we open up the bottom buttons of the cone, leaving the top one closed. That creates a small opening — almost like a little teepee — that lets your lens peek through while keeping the rest of your scene fully diffused.

It’s simple, it’s clever, and it completely changes the way you can use your Light Cone.

Lighting the Scene

From there, you can bring in a side light — just one is enough to start.
The cone’s diffusion wraps that light beautifully around your product, eliminating the harsh reflections that usually show up on glass, metal, or glossy surfaces.

You can get more sophisticated, of course — add another light or fill — but even a basic one-light setup looks amazing when you’re shooting through that mini “teepee.”

The Results Speak for Themselves

Once you take your first shot, you’ll see it immediately: smooth gradients, controlled reflections, no harsh glare.
Then try it again without the Light Cone. You’ll instantly see what’s missing — that perfect soft wrapping light that makes your product look premium.

That’s the beauty of the Light Cone: it’s not just a top-down tool.
It’s a 360-degree diffusion system that lets you shoot any angle — straight-on, 45°, or overhead — and still get pro-level results.

Try it yourself: next time you’re shooting reflective products, skip the top hole.
Open the side, slide your lens in, and see how much more creative freedom your Light Cone actually gives you.

Because the best shots?
They’re usually the ones taken from a different angle.