C'mon...there's gotta be an easier way

[chauncey]

I'm finally satisfied with my critter stuff...want to emulate some of Mike and Colin's studio stuff (floral/reflections/whatnot).
Anyway, I ran across this video...http://www.picturecorrect.com/tips/c...product-shoot/ and I'm thinking that there's gotta be an easier/cheaper way.
Any tutorials out there that show more reasonable set-ups?

[Shadowman]

This is about as simplistic as you can go.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvfYY1VMCZg

[Mike Buckley]

If it makes you feel any better, I wouldn't be surprised to learn that my entire shooting area including space for light stands, tripod and the like is no larger than the tabletop in your initial post. My tabletop is 24" x 24" in its largest size.

John's post is great because it demonstrates how little you need depending on your subject and composition. The photographer in John's YouTube video probably could have done without the cable that connects the camera and flash, instead using the camera's infrared control of the flash.

[chauncey]

An interesting thought came to mind...set up a tethered shoot then crank up the SS to underexpose, close to black, then paint with a small flashlight. Take several images then blend them in PS.
I kinda don't have a flash.

[Shadowman]

An interesting thought came to mind...set up a tethered shoot then crank up the SS to underexpose, close to black, then paint with a small flashlight. Take several images then blend them in PS.
I kinda don't have a flash.

You could combine your method with the on-camera flash, just harness the intensity by redirecting it or diffusing it.

[Loose Canon]

Guess it will depend on what you want to do/shoot wm and to what extent you want to take it! Now please keep in mind I am not even in the same league as Colin and Mike but this might be of interest.

I did this shoot as a DIY thang. I had lighting, modifiers, triggers, and all kinds of happy stuff laying around collecting dust when I broke out this set (okay, I did use some stands but those can also be improvised)!

You don’t always have to have expensive and extravagant sets/equipment to get great results! Well, as long as you are not shooting for Bailey's! (and I never saw the end result of that shoot).

So yeah, there can be an easier way!

As far as painting I think I might shoot in a dark (or way dimmed) studio, slow the SS and go about it that way and reduce the time in post compositing if I could.

[Hero]

A while ago I stumbled upon a youtube video of an old product photographer, found out he had his own youtube chanel full of nifty tricks of the trade. Seeing Terry's set-up gave me a bit of a deja-vue feeling.
The name is Phillip McCordall, the address is: http://www.youtube.com/user/pmcc150/videos

[Mike Buckley]

For three very clever, pre-manufactured tabletop setups in which the carrying case can also be used as a handy device, review this offering.

Review this one-minute video to see how to use the largest of those three products with one small LED lamp.

[Mike Buckley]

I am not even in the same league as Colin and Mike

It's truly amazing to appreciate how one simple statement that is not remotely accurate can immediately ruin your credibility.