Tabletop Photography Setup! In tabletop photography, the tabletop itself becomes the stage for your subjects. The tabletop itself is usually brightly lit and evenly lit with a softbox or other type of diffusing light to create an even light source. This technique allows you to capture some truly amazing images of small objects like jewelry, figurines, flowers, etc. For this article, I am going to show you how to set up tabletop photography using only one desk lamp!
It’s slightly different than a regular photo setup. When you take a picture of something like a regular object you need to make sure your light source is behind the camera and your camera or subject must be in front of a light source. This is because we want our object to look nice and not dark in the photo. And this is how optics work. Without a light source behind the camera lens, even if you have all other settings correct, your picture will come out dark because light cannot pass through. This is called backlighting or being backlit.
Tabletop Photography Setup
Tabletop photography however works differently. The goal here is to place a whiteboard right next to the object so it’s lit with sunlight or some other light source. We want the background to be completely white so when we take a picture, it looks like the object is in front of some neutral solid color.
Here are the simple steps to get you started:
Step 1: Prepare
You need a location with good lighting and sturdy furniture. You will prepare your subject, ensuring there are no scuff marks on it before taking pictures for this project; think about what kind of photo you want in advance so that when the time comes all aspects come together smoothly!
Step 2: Set the Scene
Place the subject in the center and play around with different arrangements. You can photograph them alone, or you could add a few other objects to create more natural environments for your pictures!
Step 3: Set Up Lighting
To avoid unwanted shadows, try using white or black foam boards to direct light into places that need it more. Your goal should be reducing the amount of shadow on your subject as much as possible with these simple steps!
Lighting can make or break a photo. Experiment with natural light, such as that coming from behind your subject, and diffused lighting to get the best results for different moods!
Step 4: Set Up Equipment
If you’re using a tripod, set it in place. To take better pictures with your DSLR camera adjust settings such as the aperture and shutter speed (to reduce motion artifact); use an ISO of 100 or less if possible so that there will be more light on film per pixel point which can give us high-quality shots.
If you’re using a smartphone, there are tons of apps that can help with the settings.
Step 5: Shoot and Edit
To get the best photos, don’t be afraid to take time and experiment with different shots. Even if you’re not 100% satisfied after a day or two of shooting. Use editing apps on your phone!
Conclusion
So there you have it. Pretty easy to set up and works really well if you don’t want to spend money on photo gear! I hope this helps someone who’s new to tabletop photography or is looking for a low-cost alternative for their hobby. You can also use a tabletop photo lightbox for small product photography, which gives us a bright electric setup. If you want to buy a photo lightbox and learn more about photography, Take a look at our site photo lightboxes.
For more detailed instructions about Photography Lighting Tips? Read here.
