DIGITAL CONCEPTS PORTABLE LIGHTING STUDIO

[RioRico]

Over on PentaxForums.com, a question was asked about doing product shots. I mentioned this tool and thought I'd bring it up here also. Is anyone else using this for eBay shots or other closeups or macros? Or do you have another favorite?

My mother-in-law gave me a cheap folding ministudio [DIGITAL CONCEPTS PORTABLE LIGHTING STUDIO] which makes a 16-inch / 40cm cube when unfolded. The sides are light-tent white mesh. I'll put a diffused CFL on one side and bounce the included mini-spots off my white ceiling, or off a cheap (WalMart) auto sunscreen's metallic reflective side.

I may line the bottom and back with thin milk-pale parchment paper, and support the subjects with milky-white translucent plastic containers (tupperware, etc) that just disappear against the lining and sides. Otherwise I can use the included backgrounds of black, blue, or grey. My setup is usually atop a shipping box atop a table to give the proper elevation. (I'm 1.8m / 6'4" tall and I *really* don't like to bend over much.)

I like this because 1) it was a gift; 2) lights, mini-tripod and backgrounds are included; 3) it's quite portable -- it's traveled between Guatemala and Alaska already. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.