- This topic has 15 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 8 months ago by
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I’ve heard other people say they’ve had problems in the past week or two. Jay has asked others exactly what steps were taken when the topic was “eaten”. From other other posts, the problem would happen after they created a topic and then tried to edit it.
I did see the email that was sent out when you created the topic. I did have a question about the setup. I notice that it uses CFLs. I wonder why it doesn’t use LEDs and would those be better. I eventually need to get a better lighting system myself. I have decent lighting, but I still have to edit my photos in eBay.
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They are color balanced 100 watt CFL photography lamps and were included in the lighting setup I linked to. They work pretty good but I would prefer more lumens from the LED photography lamps. The next step up in CFL photography lights are 12″ long!!
Hopefully the forum issue gets resolved because I cannot post in that forum. I’ve tried creating a new topic a couple times and it never works.
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Back when I started to move out to the den for my ebay business, the big problem was lighting. The lighting is flat out horrible out there, and it is compounded by the color balance destroying floor to ceiling wood paneling.
I ordered this kit and it was working…okay.
I did not have a good way to set up the third light, so I just kinda had it up high over my shoulder on the tall tripod. I set a piece of flannel over the tabletop and just used the wall as a backdrop. My wife hated the wall but I didn’t mind.So now that I have all my tables where I want them, I decided to permanently mount the lights. There are light rigs for sale out there, but why spend the money – we’re scavengers! With these light heads, 5/8″ rod fits perfectly. I cut 3 16″ rod sections and then drilled a 5/8″ hole in the 2×4 bases. The bases are permanently mounted but I can simply pull the rods out and remove the lighting if needed.
I also have the lights plugged into a remote control outlet strip I got cheap ($5) on clearance at walmart.
The only thing I have left to do is mount my backdrop rod to the wall so I can have a full drape backdrop to cover the wall, outlets, and table.
And now for pictures.
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Picking Pair is correct. For the translucent white fabric, the umbrella’s outside should be pointed at the object. Much like a the use of softbox. The way you have them set up are for reflective umbrellas which are commonly used for flash.
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I have them set up exactly as the manufacturer states to set them up. I also thought when I got them that there should be some reflective foil on there since the lamp was pointed away.
Either way, I’ll flip it around and take some comparison shots to see what I like better.
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I think the shades are suppose to be between the bulb and the object being photographed. The shade diffuses the light.
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So just to close out the debate about which way to aim the refectors, I did try these the other way. Putting the umbrella between the lamp and table resulted in a reduction of light. I definitely get more light by bouncing the lamp off of the inside of the umbrella.
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You want more light? Remove the umbrellas and point the lights at the subject. Much like your top light. The point of the white translucent umbrellas, used properly, is to diffuse the light reducing the glare and harsh shadows giving a softer look.
Also, in looking at your picture, the light source is shoved too far into the umbrella. Can you see the dark edges of the umbrella? In normal use, the umbrella should illuminate the umbrella completely. Only with smaller subjects and tight spots do you move the light source into the umbrella.
I’d suggest doing a google search on product photography lighting. You will find the preferred lighting for product photography are light tents and softboxes (my preference) but the concepts are the same when using translucent umbrellas. Not to be harsh, but if you are going to spend the effort and money into a setup like yours, it’s best to spend a little time in using them correctly. You will have a better quality pictures and the knowledge will help when you have odd shaped or reflective objects.
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Pointing the lights directly adds hotspoting and shadows. I also played with the umbrella distance as well to get the best light with minimal shadows. I can always play with it again now that I have the setup in a new location
I have a light tent – it is largely usless except for small items since anything over 12″ wide will end up showing the sides of the box and ruin the effect – this is a 24″ light box too. If I used a DSLR with a tighter focal length maybe it would work better, but with the wide angle iphone 7 lens it only works good with smalls and smallish womens shoes.
As for money, this was $50. Hardly a large investment.
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