Table top/Still life set up?

I want to set up a set of lights and probly a tent to do some still life and

table top shots that I could use for smaller items to be used on web pages and

so on.

If I can get some recomendations on the equipment or just a small kit set up

from B&H or another good dealer would be appreciated.

Il be using a Digital SLR with this set up,

Thanks

Make a sweep with 4 foot wide background paper.

Calumet 4x6 foot free standing diffusers. Get the optional white fabric so one can be a

reflector.

Maybe a boom to position the light overhead if you need it

I like my Photogenic mini frenel spots and Lowell 650 watt frenel spot. Diffuse them if you

want soft.

Have a look at ...

<BR><BR>

<a href="http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07/how-to-diy-10-macro-photo-studio.html">Macro Studio in a Box</a>

<BR><BR>or<BR><BR>

<a href="http://www.makezine.com/blog/archive/2006/07/diy_light_box.html">Macro Studio in a Plastic Container</a>

<BR><BR>

I have something like the second. I call it my Tupperware Studio and I use four clamp fixtures with 23W daylight (5200K) compact fluorescent bulbs.

<BR><BR>

When not in use as a studio, the container holds my lights and fabric.

<BR><BR>

<a href="http://www.google.com/search?q=macro+photo+studio&rls=com.microsoft:en-us:IE-SearchBox&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&sourceid=ie7&rlz=1I7GGIH">Google</a> for more examples ...

Small items - like smaller than a toaster?

If you want to go very economical, hit the art store and Home Depot and get:

- White 3/8" or 1/4" foamcore.

- 2-3 household fluorescent lamps (with daylight balanced bulbs)

- Duct tape

Use one piece of foamcore for the base and cut the others to form a three flap wall - connect them with duct or gaffer tape so they flex like a flap.

Set up a little U-shaped shooting area and array the lights over and around the shooting area till you like the look. If you want, put some white silk or Rosco Tough Spun diffusion material in front of the lights to cut down reflections and highlights.

Put your camera on a tripod and fire away.

You can buy more expensive lamps from B&H like the silly Ego-light for 8x what a home-made solution will cost. I started with some Photek tent and now just wing it with a few on-the-job lessons learned for the jewelry I shoot as a professional.

If I need strobes, I use a few SB-800s or my Alien Bees, but find them overkill for smaller items - purses and clothing yes.

This is great for a simple Ebay shot. I haven't used the economical lighting kits from B&H/Adorama; but they probably cost more than the Home Depot solution for the same items (like all 'pro' photo gear) - things like a Profoto setup notwithstanding.

Depending on how small your 'smaller items' are you could use something like the homemade light tent I put together -

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<a href="http://www.rtope.com/light_tent/">http://www.rtope.com/light_tent</a>

<p>

...and some samples of using it with and without the diffusion panel in place -

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<a href="http://www.pbase.com/rtope/face_off">http://www.pbase.com/rtope/face_off</a>