| Still-life tabletop photography is taking image shots | | | | say 2.5ft by 2.5ft and 20 inches height, |
| using minimal equipments at your disposal. This | | | | - White cartridge paper measuring 1 meter by 70 |
| basically implies that you don't need hire a | | | | centimeter for use as background and, |
| professional photo studio to shoot great tabletop | | | | - 2 or 3 white art boards for use as reflectors. |
| photography. | | | | White muslin or net clothe over white |
| As a still-life photographer, you may opt to either | | | | backgrounds are suitable for jewellery shots. |
| light up the background separately and shoot your | | | | Avoid strong colors while experimenting with |
| target object on top of a glass base so it appear | | | | different backgrounds. |
| to float, or choose a different background and | | | | For your still-life tabletop shots, set up your main |
| add a 'prop' together with your target object and | | | | light soft box 45 degrees to your subject and to |
| use digital manipulation to drop the object into a | | | | the side but closer to it. |
| desired background color. Either way, set-up for | | | | Set the camera lens aperture at least f22 to get |
| the shoot remains the same. | | | | as much depth-of-field as possible. |
| For great still-life tabletop photography you will | | | | Set your second flash head up over the top of |
| need photo gear such as; | | | | your set and point it directly up to the ceiling. This |
| - A flash light unit if possible, with in-built modelling | | | | softens shadows and helps light up part of the |
| lights or a flash unit with two flash heads and a | | | | subject you're shooting. |
| power generator, | | | | Set up your reflector opposite to the main light |
| - A sturdy Tripod, | | | | ensuring to add another reflector on the other |
| - A soft box to fit your flash head and soften | | | | side of the camera as well. |
| light falling on your object, | | | | Make sure to use a good lens hood to stop |
| - 2 or 3 lighting stands, | | | | unwanted light getting into the lens. |
| - Medium format 5x4 inch size View Camera with | | | | Ensure to suspend a small piece of black card |
| a Macro Lens for close-up focus, | | | | above the camera to keep light from your Soft |
| - Flash meter or any similar equipment to work | | | | Box from hitting your camera lens but make sure |
| out exposures, | | | | not to crop the image. |
| - Sizeable low table ideal for the job measuring | | | | |