Help with product photography

[joelham]

Hello there,
Well a friend of mine who runs a candle factory has just had all his candle packaging changed and needs his range re-shot.
Im totally new to this, landscapes and people are my thing.
But i would love some info from anyone willing to help on how to achieve this look (below)
I have a few lenses sigma 10-20, 18-50, macro 105 and the canon nifty 50 also a 580ex.
So basically i want to know how they have achieved this shot, How they have got that graduation from white to grey, the reflection the shadow etc

Any help would be great and i'll love you forever

[rrdjserv@earthlink.net]

It looks to me like he used 2 light sources. The main one from the right and a less intense light on the BG from the left. Use diffused light and tweak the rest in PS. --Rick

[joelham]

Do you think they used continuous light or strobes/flash.
you reckon the reflection was done in ps? or is it a reflective surface
thanks mate

[Jim M]

Apparently you posted someone else's picture and it has been removed. A link would be better.

However, even without seeing the picture, my answer would be to buy a copy of "Light - Science and Magic." Do a web search, but here is one source:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0240808193/ref=nosim/coffeeresearch5545-20

[mattograph]

+1 for Light Science Magic. It will give you a virtual step by step set of directions on how to shoot this.

[boyderic]

this would be a good place to get your creative juices flowing: http://www.diyphotography.net/light-up-the-floor-a-floor-lit-table-top-studio-project

substitute white for black. white seamless will yield 47% less swear words, but an ironed white sheet will do if need be.

you will probably delete the bottom light. as such, the glass from a larger picture frame will likely suffice. simply put it over the sheet. your counter or kitchen table will work for this.

the background tones will be the result of the fall-off from your lighting.

getting what you want out of one 580ex is going to be a tall order. If you can't get it off camera, then I would not use it. Get some $8 a piece shop lights from Wal-Mart or somewhere similar (3). white balance accordingly, etc.

[mattograph]

Camera right light looks like it has been snooted, give the falloff.

Also, there seems to be a little rim light separating the candle from the background.

[René Damkot]

One softbox, camera right. Aimed almost towards the camera. One reflector camera left. You can see both reflect in the candle.
And a slow enough shutter speed to capture the flame ;)

On a side note, if it's not your image, please link to it according to the rules. I've removed the attachment.

[joelham]

sorry, completely slipped my mind, first and last time

[René Damkot]

No problem :)