Table top must have lights

P

Polaroid22

Well-known member
Hello,

I might try some table top cinematography, what lights are used a lot for this? I reckon a softbox as a key llight, led/fresnell as rimlight(and also background lighting)? Any good tutorials out there?

Thanks!
 
Think about what you want the image to look like, and light it to get there.

Or post an image that's in the ballpark and you'll get specific ideas.
 
Seriously though, as the others said, if you can be more specific about what you mean by tabletop. That can be anything from a cake to a special effects model for a movie.
 
I shot food for a decade for several food clients, including Nestlé. I like a strong backlight in that world.
 
yeah, I thought so. Nothing in particular though I would like to shoot some food, beer, nail polish commercials but then again I also want to do some cosmetic commercials. So would be great if I could use the same lights. (For some narrative work I am looking to buy a 4bank Kinoflo, not sure if it is that great for some table top lighting, maybe I will buy a Aputure LS1 as its a LED instead of some fresnells(as they do get hot). )

And yes I am looking to buy, so I can just try some stuff whenever I get some time off.
 
I will also suggest investing in light modifiers, which can be just as important as the light.

4x4 and 6x6 frames with rags

Flag Kit

Reflectors

Foam Core

C-Stands
 
Yeah I am looking into 4 x 4 here in Europe, but I do not seem to find any. Also am looking for eggcrates/grid for mounting ontop of the 4 x 4. Any suggestions?
 
You might consider purchasing a butterfly kit and then source the 1" aluminum frame locally to save shipping costs. This would allow you to build the frame any size needed. 4x4, 6x6, 8x8.

You would need 4 of these..... http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/143579-REG/Matthews_409100_1_Corner_for_1_Square.html


And a pair of these for mounting.... http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/143586-REG/Matthews_409100_3_Quick_Reverse_Ear_for.html


For a non-breakdown 4x4 frame which you can attach gels or diffusion with snot-tape.... http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/99379-REG/Matthews_549120_Diffusion_Frame_48x48.html

Egg crates get expensive for larger frames like 4x4 and larger.
 
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If you'll be working in a studio consider tungsten lights. They're full spectrum, & compared to the better daylight options, relatively cheap.

Full spectrum light is color accurate, which is often important for both Product, & Beauty, photography.
 
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