Product Shot Lighting Options...advice please

[n20capri]

So I'm building an e-Commerce site for a lady with a women's accessory shop in Philly and I'm also doing the photo shoot...This is my first product shot shoot and I'm not sure what to get light wise. Mostly small stuff...jewelry, pill cases, watches, necklaces, earrings, belts. Handbags most likely being the largest items...

First thought was tent and some lights...and found this...Ultimately this is the one I want but a bit more than what I wanted to spend...which is under $400.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/442635-REG/Smith_Victor_402057_Three_Light_Fluorescent_Kit.ht ml#includes
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/largeimages/442635.jpg

Then I thought maybe I could piece it together and found this tent...and the 2 light kit as the recommended accessory...but for some reason I wanted 3 lights...
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/380718-REG/Interfit_INT317_48_Pop_Up_Photo/html

Then I found these soft box lights...and the kit (kit in middle) lets you create a tent...also comes with a backdrop for doing larger stuff...
http://www.obnphoto.com/clsoftbox.html
http://www.obnphoto.com/images/clbox/box_11.jpg
http://www.obnphoto.com/images/clbox/cl400/cl400_sample_2_4x2.jpg

So what else am I missing? Is there a cheaper way to piece this all together or something completely different that I'm missing?

I saw the little $99 ebay special with the small tent and the lights that look like a kid would play with but wanted to avoid that. I also thought about building my own box and just getting lights...but not sure what to get...do I need 3 lights or can I get away with only 2? (That B&H kit above is awesome!)

Any help, advice, links whatever are appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike

[jekostas]

To be perfectly honest, light/lighting kits are a massive, massive scam. You can make perfectly reasonable studio macro kits out of items you have laying around your house, and use desk lamps with either LED or full-spectrum CCFL bulbs and I guarantee, and I mean GUARANTEE you'll get as good, if not better results than a $500+ kit.

Just look up "home made light tent" and you'll get many, many results.

As to the eBay "kids" light tent, well, it won't be of any lower quality than the tent in the Smith-Victor setup you've got. It still is just a white cloth stretched over a plastic or wire frame, and let's be honest here - these things don't get a lot of wear because you're shooting purely stationary objects.

[n20capri]

To be perfectly honest, light/lighting kits are a massive, massive scam. You can make perfectly reasonable studio macro kits out of items you have laying around your house, and use desk lamps with either LED or full-spectrum CCFL bulbs and I guarantee, and I mean GUARANTEE you'll get as good, if not better results than a $500+ kit.

Just look up "home made light tent" and you'll get many, many results.

As to the eBay "kids" light tent, well, it won't be of any lower quality than the tent in the Smith-Victor setup you've got. It still is just a white cloth stretched over a plastic or wire frame, and let's be honest here - these things don't get a lot of wear because you're shooting purely stationary objects.

Cool thanks...I found a couple DIY'ers but wasn't sure how well I'd make out or if I could buy something better...

So some home depot construction lights and a homemade box is what you'd recommend?

[jekostas]

Cool thanks...I found a couple DIY'ers but wasn't sure how well I'd make out or if I could buy something better...

So some home depot construction lights and a homemade box is what you'd recommend?

Absolutely. You should be able to do it for under $50, and even if you do decide to get a pre-made kit in time for say, portability, you'll have a much better idea of exactly what you'll need and so you'll save some money that way.

[Rhys]

I've done product shots with a single CFL and a piece of black card from the art shop.

This one uses one CFL in an ordinary desk lamp and a small flashlight.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3246/2808987936_b954b2f7f1_b.jpg

For an e-commerce site with images no bigger than VGA, absolute precision with the photography and lighting isn't really required. What is probably essential is that the lighting setup is easy to use with repeatable results.

[TheWengler]

I don't have many examples but here's what I got...

Taken with a homemade light box and one flash...
44693

Taken with two flashes with umbrellas (no light box)...
44694

Same lighting, but my girlfriend took the picture...
44695

I like the umbrellas better just because you can do more with them. Of course you could have both.

[Don Kondra]

Greetings,

I've spent quite a bit of time in the last year and a half on product shot lighting set ups.

In hindsight, for a low cost set up, I would purchase the 28" light tent from Alzo Digital (http://alzodigital.com/online_store/light_tent.htm) , three clamp on work light reflectors from a building supply store and CF bulbs - 2 x 45w and 1 x 27w. Reflectors are ~ $10 each, bulbs are also sold by Alzo. For correct WB the bulbs must be rated at ~5500K.

The tent comes with backdrops that you can use either with or without the tent.

Two side lights will give good results but adding a top/background light will even out the color of the background.

If you want to spend a little more try here (http://cowboystudio.com/) for inexpensive stands.

Cheers, Don

[N.C.F.]

I have a simple setup when I do product shots

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3641/3293969268_b6f8e5a10b.jpg

[Don Kondra]

Greetings,

Keep in mind this a quick and dirty comparison with strobes but the results are comparable to using continuous CF bulbs.

Lighting can be complicated but if you break it down into how you wish to use shadows it can help.

One light from the side = shadow. One light from the side plus reflector on the other side = less shadows.

One light from above the camera = shadow behind the object which may not be visible.

Reflector or top light = less light fall off on the backdrop.

For this example I am using a gray backdrop.

First shot is strobe immediately camera left... for a single object the light above the camera would work but I was trying to throw some light under the magnifying headset.

44703

This is adding top/backdrop light...

44704

Keep in mind these test shots are mainly to show how a top light can help eliminate light fall off on the background. For this combination of objects I would use two side lights and a top light.

IMHO a product shot should be well lit with minimal shadows. The purpose of the image is to highlight the object. You will have to decide if creative use of shadows is appropriate.

Cheers, Don

[n20capri]

Awesome info so far thanks everyone...

Don, Nice comparison shots...thanks. And yes I want an ever so slight shadow so sides/top was what I was originally thinking...hence why I wanted the $500+ kit from B&H.

Started brainstorming a materials list for something home made...probably have something together tomorrow...

Keep ideas coming though I can't have too much info on lighting...

Also any ideas on propping things up/holding things in place (rings watches etc?) The one site posted sells acrylic table top displays for nice reflection shots but what else?

[Rhys]

A matchstick and some hot glue normally works - just make sure it can't be seen in the photo. Hot glue peels off easily from hard surfaces.

As far as acrylic table tops - that's expensive. You can buy a sheet of glossy paper for a ton less in the art shop or if you must, a sheet of glass somewhere. Glass won't scratch like perspex/plexiglass will.

[jekostas]

A matchstick and some hot glue normally works - just make sure it can't be seen in the photo. Hot glue peels off easily from hard surfaces.

As far as acrylic table tops - that's expensive. You can buy a sheet of glossy paper for a ton less in the art shop or if you must, a sheet of glass somewhere. Glass won't scratch like perspex/plexiglass will.

You can get cheap used mirrors at Goodwill/Salvation Army stores for like $2 apiece, strip off the frames, and bingo, instant backdrop. A dab from a hot glue gun and you have instant background.

I wouldn't use it for everything, but otherwise even cardboard or art paper will work nicely, and it's good and cheap.

[Rhys]

It doesn't have to cost a million dollars. It just has to look like it cost a million dollars.

The best way to build a small product studio is to set your construction budget to $0.00.

[n20capri]

Rigged something up...still have to play with angles but so far I really like it...less than $75

C&C welcomed...

http://www.mikemartinelli.com/Misc/Crops/IMG_0460.jpg

http://www.mikemartinelli.com/Misc/Crops/IMG_0437.jpg

http://www.mikemartinelli.com/Misc/Crops/IMG_0443.jpg

[Don Kondra]

I assume this sooc ? Not bad for a start :)

A little cropping, brightness, contrast and sharpening...

44711

Cheers, Don

Let's see the set up too...

[n20capri]

Yeah just cropped 25% and saved for web...Still getting a glare from the lights...don't seem to be diffusing enough...I need to take time and reset everything and smooth out the sheet...I just quickly rigged it up so I could snap a few pics...will certainly have a completely white "floor" too...you can see the dark corners in some of the pics...I need to fix that...Also have natural light coming in behind me...Definitely happy overall though...just need some tweaking...

http://www.mikemartinelli.com/Misc/Crops/2.jpg

http://www.mikemartinelli.com/Misc/Crops/1.jpg

[DonSchap]

There have been a number of DIY lighting creations that have passed through the "tips and techniques" forum. You might just want to review it a little by opening the search values to the beginning. Might offer some ideas that do not cost a lot ... and work nearly as well.

Here was an idea (http://digital-photography-school.com/how-to-make-a-inexpensive-light-tent) (<- click here) that 'jekostas" came across, earlier last year, from "Digital Photography School" website.

[jekostas]

That's actually a pretty good start, n20capri.

Now that you've got the basics down you can start tweaking to completely fulfill your needs.

Example; for the very front of the tent, I'd add one more piece of fabric with a slit in it for the camera lens to poke through so you don't get any front glare. Also, if you're having a problem with your lights not diffusing enough, you can always add another layer of fabric.

In terms of having a three-light setup, my preference was always to have the two side-lights very low and angled up and slightly back. This will almost completely do away with any shadows. Obviously, if you want some shadows for highlighting this may not work for you.

[n20capri]

It doesn't have to cost a million dollars. It just has to look like it cost a million dollars.

The best way to build a small product studio is to set your construction budget to $0.00.

Yeah your other post about easy and repeatable are so true...even rigged to snap a few shots I was please with the consistency of each shot...I still had to play around but I'm enjoying things much more now.

Going to re-set everything back up tonight to play some more...Now that I have the lights/tent I gotta snap some more shots of my fiances engagement ring. (it's 2 weeks old) :-)


That's actually a pretty good start, n20capri.



Thanks - awesome info

[n20capri]

How do I get my backgrounds a consistent bright white? I keep getting different shades of gray and it's annoying.

I'm just using regular white paper...do I need something special?

[DonSchap]

More light

[Csae]

Longer shutter speeds also help, if you cant get more light, higher isos, etc.

I usually have 1 strobe pointing just at the background to nuke enough of an area that it comes out to pure white, pure is relative, im getting 249, but thats close enough for me.

[Don Kondra]

How do I get my backgrounds a consistent bright white? I keep getting different shades of gray and it's annoying.

I'm just using regular white paper...do I need something special?

Aim the top light more towards the backdrop...

Cheers, Don

[Rhys]

I like that pistol shot, Mike. It looks like a Colt Frontier Scout in .22LR. Am I correct? Either that or the Buntline in .22LR. Mine's the former but in .22 Magnum (although I change the cylinder to a .22LR cylinder I bought as a Buntline cylinder).

[n20capri]

I'll def try the suggestions above...thanks...

Thanks Rhys, your correct in that it's a Colt...but it's the big dog... :)
http://www.mikemartinelli.com/Misc/Crops/Colt2.jpg

http://www.mikemartinelli.com/Misc/Crops/Colt.jpg