Digital Camera Lighting and Product Photography

[rose-o]

Hi everybody! This is my first post! :)
I'm a graphic designer from MN and I work for a company that has me doing a lot of product photography. This product is anywhere from 4"x4" to components that are 6'x2'. I've been doing so much that recently we've decided to dedicate an area (actually a large storage closet) to product photography. I've been given the responsibility of stocking this "studio" with the equipment I need.

I don't know a lot about lighting in studio. HELP! What equipment should I get? I already have a couple of cameras. The main camera I use is a Nikon Coolpix 8800VR, 8 mega pixels. We also have some tripods that will work great. Need lighting advice from anyone with experience in this.

Hit it! :D

Thanks!

[balou]

Welcome Rose-o!

I'm not much help with your photo studio but I did do a search on previous threads and found this thread (http://www.graphicdesignforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3686&highlight=product+photography).

Good luck.

(Ask the 8-ball - funny :D)

[rose-o]

Thanks balou! Do I know you from somewhere??? :p

[balou]

:cool:sshhhhh

[Neballer]

howdy rose-o:

This sounds like the exact same situation I had to deal with at my last job. :D
If your studio is in a "closet" so to speak and you don't have much room for lighting space I'd suggest some of those super bright all natural light bulbs that fit into florecent sockets. I forget what they are called, but I had them in my "studio" which was my office and they worked pretty good and I didn't have to worry about studio lights getting in my way. I'd also suggest getting a nice flash along with the lights.

[Satchel]

one more from MN... we have a strong presence on this forum.

[rose-o]

Yaaaah! We sure doooo! Anyone for some hotdish? JUST KIDDING! I don't support that sterotype!

Thanks Neballer...I'm worried about glare though. The product is pretty glossy. Maybe one of those softlighting tents? If I could find one big enough! Did you ever try continuous lighting? I've got research to do!

[orkaknos12]

hehe.. product photography is a bitch and a half - especially when you're not the best photographer. The key is keeping your camera very very still, doing a manual white balance with a grey card and getting good lighting. If you camera is not capable of manual white balance, time to start looking for one. It just means like 14 more color correction steps. lighting will depend on your product and the caracter you want it to have, but if it's front-on photos of glossy stuff, a ring flash will help a lot. Ring flashes are usually lower intensity and they can be diffused with paper. they stop that annoying hot spot problem. If the product is under 1 foot, you might look into purchasing a light box - especially for advertising level stuff.

-Jon

[AlexNJ210]

i do know that you can get the material that is used to create soft light tents. I forget what they are but its simply a material that diffuses the light, Its built like a tent and has a small hole for the lense that you can move around. You need some outside lights, the material and maybe a flash.

[rose-o]

Thanks everybody! I ended up purchasing some continuous lighting and creating a backdrop of some great fabric I found at the fabric store that diffuses the light. Also the photo studio I setup ended up being in a totally white room with some great natural light. After taking the photos it's then very easy to get the desired effect in PhotoShop. Thanks again everybody for the great advice!

[steve-o]

Sounds good. Be sure to post some of your pictures!

[rose-o]

Thanks for everyone's help! Here are a couple shots from the new studio! I'm still learning about lighting placement and such but I think it's working out well.

Thanks again!