How to Create Professional Product Shots with a Light Tent and Digital Editing!
October 1st, 2006
Before we move on, I just want to give you a little warning about light tents… they are made of very thin material that is quite susceptible to heat. If you are using lamps that get hot, keep then far enough from the light tent so you don’t burn the material or start a fire. With the Energy Saver bulbs I have, I can keep them an inch from the material, but normal light bulbs need to be quite a bit further or it will literally melt the tent.
Now then, are you wondering how you can get one of these light tents? Any local professional camera shop should have them, or you can buy one of the hundreds listed on eBay. They are very popular because of how inexpensive they are considering the results, so they’re pretty easy to find. You can also make your own if you’re handy enough… in fact, I know one guy that used to use bed sheets to diffuse his lights! For the sake of your sanity and ease of use, I recommend springing the $50 for a real light tent. Trying to figure out how to hang bed sheets from the walls and ceiling isn’t exactly productive photography time.
There you have it folks! That’s how I take my product shots with a $100 lighting setup! Next up, I’ll show you some simple tricks that can be used to bring your photo’s colors to life and a subtle effect that ads a professional look to your photos. If you have Photopaint, Photoshop, GIMP or some other graphics program with basic filter effects, move on to Part 2 - Using simple digital tricks to enhance your photos for that extra boost!
Dan I don’t have time to read through an 11 page tutorial atm, but from briefly browsing through looks brilliant all except that disgusting thing lol
Pleased to read no aliens, chestbursters, or humans were injured during the making of this tutorial.
Hope Corina got her room back.
Wow! I’ve always wanted to know how you did that “dreamy” effect!
Thanks for a great tutorial! =)
Cheers mate. This will come in very handy.
[...] read more | digg story [...]
[...] One of the things I get asked on here the most is what are my tricks and secrets for the professional quality photos I take for my product reviews. Well look no further! I spent almost 8 hours writing out all my tricks and tips along with photos of how I set up all my gear, what I use and how I edit the photos digitally. You can read my entire tutorial on my personal blog in my new tutorials called “How to Create Professional Product Shots with a Light Tent and Digital Editing!“. Enjoy! [...]
Awesome tutorial! Thaks for publishing it on the web for all of us!
Cheers,
Scott
Thanks Dan for all the time and effort you put in to help us fellow predator fans. Your site has been an unbelievable source of info and your photo guide is no different. More power man.
regards,
dan
I found rather than shelling out for a light tent, my £2.75 Ikea clothes bag works just aswell http://www.ikea.com/PIAimages/05345_PE079848_S4.jpg
Using the same set up as you (with the two lights either side) I got some decent results.
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/38345567/
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/38345357/
http://www.deviantart.com/deviation/38345425/
Nice tut Dan
Cool idea Mooey, thanks for sharing
That would definitely work well and your pics look great 
Dan