Small 'art reproduction' studio advice

[Unlocker]

We're looking to provide a service that ties into our fine art printing / framing business that will enable us to reproduce customer artwork (up to around A2 in size approx), so that we can provide them with fine art ltd prints that they can sell at galleries etc.

We have the printing and mounting side of things sorted, Mac with PS CC & LR CC for post and D810 (possibly D850) to shoot with, most likely with a 60mm Macro.

The main area I need advice in is the lighting side of things as we have very limited space!

So far we have 2x light brackets screwed into the wall which means we should be able to put lights where we need them (possibly need Manfrotto Magic Arms here too?) and we will be using 2x Godox AD200s. We will be adding a bar to the ceiling with a Manfrotto Magic Arm to mount the camera square to the desk.

Question is, modifiers, do we have the right ones? We already have 2x 54cm square soft boxes that we picked up from a Manfrotto clearance sale a while back but I feel that these might not be good enough? Should I be looking at octoboxes instead for a more even spread of light?

Thought I'd add some pics to give you an idea of what I'm working with, first pic shows the umbrella and reflectors we have too (2 of each) and 2x Godox TT685N speed lights if they should come in handy!

Any advice would be appreciated as I'm looking to buy what I need this weekend from either The Photography Show or Lencarta where it's 10% off for the week!

 

[Garry Edwards]

For flat artwork, all that you need is 2 x softboxes that are at least 50% larger than your subject, each can be set, 1 each side of your subject, at an angle of 45 deg.
There are zero advantages in using octa softboxes for this, rectangular or square ones are ideal, what does matter is that they produce very even lighting, and they must be recessed, to avoid unwanted light spill, which rules out the cheapies.

Perhaps you already have the AD200's? If so then they will work, if not then please don't get them, just for this. Mains powered flash heads, complete with modelling lamp, will do the job better and cheaper.

 

[Unlocker]

For flat artwork, all that you need is 2 x softboxes that are at least 50% larger than your subject, each can be set, 1 each side of your subject, at an angle of 45 deg.
There are zero advantages in using octa softboxes for this, rectangular or square ones are ideal, what does matter is that they produce very even lighting, and they must be recessed, to avoid unwanted light spill, which rules out the cheapies.

Perhaps you already have the AD200's? If so then they will work, if not then please don't get them, just for this. Mains powered flash heads, complete with modelling lamp, will do the job better and cheaper.

Thanks Gary, very helpful, so adding 2 larger soft boxes seems a sensible move.

Went with the AD200s for convenience (no cables in that tight space is welcome!) and because we want to use them for outdoor portraits with the baby too, just seemed the ideal way to go. We have one already and if there is no show deal, then we'll get the 2nd one from Lencarta with the AD-B2 for added flexibility elsewhere.

 

[Kodiak Qc]

We already have 2x 54cm square soft boxes that we picked up from a Manfrotto

My experience suggests that the 2 boxes you already have
are more than sufficient, the reflectors and the brollies are
not necessary as long as you stay in 2D repro.

Get a really good stand and gear head for the camera, and
more power in your light source — 250 w/s will be perfect.