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Photography Question 

Jake Trexel
 

table top photography


I would like to start into table top photography. I am now disalbed and cannont get out side. My wife could bring me in flowers, rocks and so on, and I would love to take pictures of my rocks (mainly crystals) that I have. I would like to stay away from those poweful lights if possible. I am using a Nikon FM3a, with a Nikon 28-105 with macro, and a nikon 2x converter. I would appreaciate any ideals, help, and even sites to see how others have done this type of photography.
thanks
Jake


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February 23, 2006

 

Margie Hurwich
  Jake, all of my floral and shell shots have been taken inside. If you take a look at my gallery, my shot "Hand Selected" was taken by placing the rose on the edge of the kitchen counter so the bloom was hanging over. I side lit it using nothing but the light from my opened refrigerator. Are these the type of ideas you are looking for? Good luck.


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February 23, 2006

 

Bob Cammarata
  Jake,
Get a copy stand,...you won't regret it.

The lights can be positioned at any angle you need.
Though designed for copy work...(with the camera mounted on a fixed bracket to shoot straight down), you can position the fully adjustable lights to illuminate your table-top subjects and simply mount your camera onto a tripod.
A piece of foam-core or other material can be propped up behind the subject and used as a background.

This link will show an example of one:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=53764&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

With your FM3, I recommend that tungsten-balanced film be used with this type of set-up.


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February 23, 2006

 

Pete H
  Hello Jake...

Just to add to the other comments, you might look into getting a light tent.
Essentially it is nothing more than a "tent" (various sizes) that has diffused white material as it's walls.

It keeps the shadows soft and to a minimum..AND, they are really not too expensive.

Here is one of many companies that sells them:
http://www.ezcube.com/


All theBest

Pete


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February 24, 2006

 
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