Shooting Small Object Still Life

[benjikan]

I am re-posting this response to a user for those wanting to try small object still life photography.

Buy a piece of white plexiglass. A 1x1 yard panel will suffice. Set it up on a couple of work table leg stands, one at least 2 feet taller (higher) as the rear support. It will be a mini cyclo curved surface still life set up. Clamp the plexiglass to it. Place a flash below and slightly behind the ring at around 45 degrees. It should be at least 1.5 - 2' below the plexiglss surface. The flash is actually shooting up at you. Now place two small 6" square white hard cardboard reflectors on either side facing down and perpendicular to the angle of the light below to kick the light back in to it. Make a couple of wire supports so they can lean in to the object. Do not meter the light on the plexiglass, but the reflected light hitting the ring. You can also use hot lights for this as well. You can move the reflectors around till you get the highlight's that you like.

Here are some samples and a set up illustration.

http://www.pbase.com/benjikan/image/114644228

http://www.pbase.com/benjikan/image/78923696

http://www.benjaminkanarekblog.com/?p=535