Lighting setup for photographing books

Universal · 7 Apr 2011 at 21:45

I would like to setup a small studio space for photographing books and printed matter for a design portfolio.

Ideally I would a background support system but initially looking a starter lighting setup. However I am unsure what the best type of lighting would be best.

I have been looking at Bowens and Elinchrom but would like some advice from the more experienced before purchasing. Should I be buying a continuous or flash system with a remote trigger?

I have been looking at the Elinchrom D-Lite 4 IT Studio 2 Go:
http://bit.ly/f7f5fd

Any advice on models and kits would be very helpful.

kae2 · 15 Apr 2011 at 23:44

Only just seen this thread, are you still in need of an answer? If so I can provide one, just not typing it all out if you've already got your answer!

Andy.

An Exception · 16 Apr 2011 at 01:45

It's also a bit hard to make an informed decision based on the info you'v told us.
You want to take photo's of books??? is this some kind of professional venture?
How long will you be photographing this printed material?
Can you link us to a similar image you would like to recreate?

An Exception · 16 Apr 2011 at 01:47

kae2 said:
Only just seen this thread, are you still in need of an answer? If so I can provide one, just not typing it all out if you've already got your answer!

Andy.

3 or 4 Desk lamps, cardboard box, and tracing paper?

kae2 · 17 Apr 2011 at 01:35

Ejizz said:
3 or 4 Desk lamps, cardboard box, and tracing paper?

No.

ElDude · 17 Apr 2011 at 09:20

kae2 said:
No.

Most helpful

I'm curious too. Care to share, as I've only ever taken photos of books in daylight on a table or shelf, next to a natural light source? I've never given this any thought at all to be honest, so I'd be interested to see how people do it. I'm sure there are various ways, depending on just what sort of book it is (finish, etc), so you could have quite a few set ups for all I know, or one that is adaptable

Enquiring minds need to know!

AHarvey · 17 Apr 2011 at 13:08

I wouldn't be spending £600 on 2 lights to photograph books tbh. If you want studio lights for it check out the Lencarta entry level lights:

http://www.lencarta.com/lighting-st...tflash-mains-flash-1/kit-builder-2-head-mains

but, without knowing the types and ages of books and the style you want it's hard to say. I'd be probably be looking at reflector, natural light or strong table lamp if just shooting one or two of them.

Universal · 27 Jun 2011 at 23:05

Just noticed that there are replies to my thread, apologies for the delay in replying. They will will be for a design portfolio which will be used both in print and online.

As well as books, I would also be taking images of other printed material. Something similar to the following images –

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/225/examplesi.jpg/

I want to use a grey background so will need something to shoot on as well.

Thanks.

Paul11 · 28 Jun 2011 at 08:28

you dont need to go and buy expensive lights for this.

Universal · 28 Jun 2011 at 20:35

Paul11 said:
you dont need to go and buy expensive lights for this.

I have been looking at entry level kits. I need some lights to get consistent lighting between shoots. Desk lamps aren't suitable.

AHarvey · 29 Jun 2011 at 01:20

tbh, desk lamps are suitable for this, no need for studio equipment.

get a couple of white sheets from a charity shop, use one as the background and floor, then cut the other one for side panels and hang them. Put desk lamps either side aiming at the sheets.

Light comes through is diffused giving nice soft shadows.

Use a tripod for the camera, allows you to use slow shutter speeds if needed.

Then its just a case of checking the white balance is correct.

You haven't said what camera you will be using either.

Tbh, photography can be super expensive, or it can be dirt cheap. You just need to know where you can save the pennies!

for example:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQBVSGBBiNk

rG-tom · 29 Jun 2011 at 10:39

don't **** around with white sheets etc, my light box only cost £20 from ebay and is a metre cubed.

Have two flashes of any type really pointing at the sides (or my preferred method if you want a totally white background is one underneath and one above, with the light tent sat on a piece of glass suspended between two tables. gives these kind of results straight out of the camera pretty much:

AHarvey · 30 Jun 2011 at 15:24

rG-tom said:
don't **** around with white sheets etc, my light box only cost £20 from ebay and is a metre cubed.

If you can afford light/soft boxes etc then go for it, but you can do it on the cheap and still get decent results.

Even with some white sheets and a bit of glass/perspex.

My point was, you don't have to spend a lot (or any) money to get good results if you spend a little bit of time prepping.

An Exception · 30 Jun 2011 at 15:27

Perspex Sheet, Softbox, Fill Card's.

rG-tom · 30 Jun 2011 at 15:47

AHarvey said:
If you can afford light/soft boxes etc then go for it, but you can do it on the cheap and still get decent results.

Even with some white sheets and a bit of glass/perspex.

My point was, you don't have to spend a lot (or any) money to get good results if you spend a little bit of time prepping.

by the time you've bought sheets etc are you really gonna be that much better off than £20, and with a far less user friendly solution?

AHarvey · 30 Jun 2011 at 16:08

depends what you've got knocking around the house, might not cost you anything.

I've several bright table lights, white material and perspex already lying about, granted, i'd still use my lencarta lights etc I was simply offering an alternative solution to the op