Dual Purpose Lighting Needs

I do product photography for a small company and have been spending a great deal of time getting the right shot (lighting) and PP'ing. I want to spend less time on the PC and more time shooting but I dont know what to look for in a lighting kit.

Right now I am using a Canon 580EX II and a bounce card. The flash is fired into a makeshift photo box made from five 48" x 36" White or Black Foamcore Boards. The results seem to work 90% of the time but I want to get a little more professional look (equipment & results). I rarely shoot anything larger than what would fit in that 48" x 48" box.

I am also thinking of a few other ways to supplement my income using this style of shooting so I am looking for decent quality stuff but need it to be affordable because the company is not funding this.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Here is a sample of the results I get but sometimes I fight w/ ugly shadows.

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Looks to me that you too much spill from the BG wrapping around the object. I think it needs more contrast as well. Here is a minor contrast tweak.

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The picture posted was straight out of the camera. I'm pretty sure I could have come up w/ the same results but that kinda goes into what I was saying, about the additional time and effort in PP.

It is also one of the better results... I'll have to find one that is not so good. The problem that I run into is that the picture when set against the white back-ground of the website, looks gray or blue-ish. The product looks right but the back-ground is not right. I can only attribute this to the size/ shape of the product and the uneven light coming from the 580EX II. I can take four to five additional shots and get closer to right but still need to PP to get it 98%

I'm thinking an overhead soft-box or something similar will help? Just dont know what lights to buy and/ or how to position them.

Rob~

BTW: Thanks for the CC. I agree... the adjustments make the image!!

Nothing wrong with your posted lens shot, depending on intended use.

Company not paying means this is hobby learning growth experience using company subjects. Okay. Make a list of:
- Your budget
- Size of subjects, because effective size of light with modifiers or bounce needs to be as big or bigger.
- Material subjects are made of (whether diffuse surface or glossy direct reflective surface like ceramic, glass, whether surface polarizes, metal, etc.)
- Depth of field f/stop desired (shooting at f/11-16 for closeups may demand lots more light output than you imagine vs. if only need low power, one can use daylight balanced cool FL lights)
- Kind of backgrounds (always neutral white, or sometimes thing in its natural or industrial use environment)?
- Can subject withstand constant hot lights (not food nor bugs)?
- Whether lights will stay in one place, or be rugged & portable enough to be lugged to locations, and set up, torn down, etc?
- larges size you will print? If it's just for web, no problemo.

The list will get long, but it will help focus your choice direction.

If making a move, get used studio light with at least 150 watt model lamp bulb. Biggest time and frustration saving difference over using hotshoe flash is NOT flash power, it is ability to preview shadows and highlights with the model lamps.

Possibly start with just one good light a reflector, and a softbox appropriate to subject size.

Cruise the web for good free product still life tutorials. There are many decent ones out there, like in Photoflex web site, or Prophotolife on You Tube.

Start collecting pieces of white and black cardboard. The black for flags and go betweens. Build a free collection of props and stuff.

For a pale light subject on white background - "white on white" photo - you frequently need two lights. One for subject (many times overhead) and one to illuminate background independently.

I will not recommend light kinds or brands, that just makes people argue their brand favorites, but the principles are the same for all of them. Jack

You have given me plenty to chew on... thank you! I will look at each of the points made and look closer at what my needs are. If I have more questions I will be sure to bring them back here.

Rob