Scaling product view in a mockup

[Artellus]

Does anyone know how to scale a product for a mockup view so that it gives the customer an accurate idea of the size of the product, or the size of a pattern on something, like a rug? For instance, if I use a mockup of a table, and I add a lamp on the table - how do I make it the right size in the image? Or are designers just winging it? In this exagerated view, I've made one lamp way too big, and the other is probably too small compared to how the real thing would look. Even though Zazzle gives product sizes, in a mockup setting, I'm just guessing at how big the lamp would actually look.  

[Jadendreamer13]

Hopefully, the customer will review the size before they purchase an item. I use a measuring tape so I can see the dimensions for myself before I hit the Buy button. With both of these mock-up examples, there is way too much white space, making viewing a product on a thumbnail difficult. The customer doesn’t need to see the whole table, which is mostly legs with a very narrow top. All that’s needed is a bit of a table top to support the lamp. The same issue happens with the rug mock-up. The photo shows mostly an empty room with lots of white space. All that’s needed is a closely cropped photo that shows the rug with a good close up of the design. Before you choose mock-ups, take a look at home accessory/furniture catalogs that are routinely delivered to your house and notice how their professional stylists and photographers display their lamps and rugs. Then look for mock-ups that closely recreate those settings. Its not an inaccurate scaling problem that you’re experiencing; it’s mock-up photo problem. With the right mock-up that makes your product the focal point of the photo, you won’t have scaling problems.

[KeegansCreation]

I do close cropping so that relative size is obscured. If you can't see the table legs, it's hard to use it to assume the size of the lamp. If nearby chairs aren't visible next to the rug, it's hard to use it to assume the size of the rug.

Alternatively I use the Zazzle mockups as a scale guide. If they have a pen laid next to something, that gives me a visual sense of what size things I can lay next to it.

[Artellus]

Thanks! Great suggestions.