Photographic/Lighting Table - worthwhile?

[Jonmurgie]

I take a lot of product shots for clients and have been using an infinity box with a couple of flash units until reading up a little more on people techniques. The products are generally small and end up on websites and print so need to be of a decent standard.

Having a look about I wondered what people think of these lighting tables with the flexible acrylic sheets that you can also light from below to get rid of shadows?

Generally we end up cutting out the products in PS which is a pain as it can take ages depending on how many items are in any given shot. I'm assuming using a table like the above would pretty much eliminate shadows to the point that we could get away without cutting out?

Worth while or should I just look at improving the lighting used at present? The infinity box is a bit limiting as it's not "that" big and it's next to impossible to light the background which I've realised is a key element to saving time in PP. I have a heap of white background paper so I was going to rig up something in an office here but it won't be able to be lit from below.

Would appreciate thoughts/comments etc.

 

[Garry Edwards]

If you're doing tabletop stuff then it's the obvious way to go.

The idea isn't to eliminate shadows at all, it's to control them, and a product shooting table makes the process very easy. You'll need a boom arm for the almost-standard overhead softbox and if you want to underlight it you'll also need a low level lighting stand, but other than that it's pretty straightforward. Just make sure that it's big enough, the small ones are pretty limited.

Lencarta are about to introduce 2 new lighting tables, as soon as I can find the time to photography them for the website. Perhaps I should spend less time on this forum

Edit: I'm not sure what those arms are for...

 

[Jonmurgie]

Thanks Garry, have already been reading your site and will be purchasing your video/pdf guide on still life photography, the sample was v. interested and helpful

Agree about the size of table, I know it needs to be much lager than you think as again it's easier to control the lighting and out of frame influences that way.

Will be v. keen to see the Lencarta tables so do let me know when they are online!

With regards to the arms, I believe they are for mounting lights

 

[Garry Edwards]

With regards to the arms, I believe they are for mounting lights

I'm sure you're right, it's just a stupid place to mount lights

 

[JonathanRyan]

With regards to the arms, I believe they are for mounting lights

Or maybe for running fishing line to support products. Looks like they swivel and slide so you could put a loop of line almost anywhere.

ETA: Just seen the one underneath. Hmm, yeah, lights then.

 

[kokakaste2]

Could build something similar over weekend as DIY project. Looks like a great tool if you do product photography

 

[HoppyUK]

I've got a small one, about 600mm wide, cost about £80 I think. Has a folding back and detachable top, and can be taken apart for storage. You'll struggle to make one for much less.

It's similar to this, other sizes available http://www.amazon.co.uk/Photo-studi...?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1288895064&sr=1-23

Edit: Calumet do a cheap one too

 

[itsdavedotnet]

Seem to rember cotswold photo on ebay doing one too... think cowsaki reviewed it a short while ago

 

[Jonmurgie]

Found Cowsaki's review: http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=267278

Looks decent but in all honesty it's way too small, as are the ones by Calumet.

Will see what eventually appears on the Lencarta website, really tempted by the workshop actually but it's a loooooong way from me... hmmm

 

[Albi]

What would members say was the ideal size for a table ???

 

[Garry Edwards]

What would members say was the ideal size for a table ???

As big as you have room and money for

Will see what eventually appears on the Lencarta website, really tempted by the workshop actually but it's a loooooong way from me... hmmm

Well, if you hmmm for too long the decision will be made for you - just 1 space left I think

 

[Jonmurgie]

Well, if you hmmm for too long the decision will be made for you - just 1 space left I think

Well it's a million miles away (175 actually) but I've just booked that last space as it's exactly what I do for clients at work and I'd really like to improve

Had to get permission from the wifey first mind... I now owe her a day off in the week!

 

[cowasaki]

Well it's a million miles away (175 actually) but I've just booked that last space as it's exactly what I do for clients at work and I'd really like to improve

Had to get permission from the wifey first mind... I now owe her a day off in the week!

I'll bring the reviewed one with me to look at if it helps. I would have looked at the Lencarta one if I had known about it, not sure how they compare in size. Garry's product table is a monster I got a friend of mine to get me a load of mild steel to make one but then found the collapsible one.