There is a new tutorial in the library. (Thanks in large part to Wayne wracinowski.)
The full title of the article is "How to Photograph Pens using a Lightbox for under $50"
The $50 includes the camera!
http://content.penturners.org/library/techniques/light_box.pdf
I am curious what you think. It is intended to help someone who does not own or want to buy a high end digital camera.
Why 3 lights ?
Sorry but the tungsten flood lamps bother me.
I think its risky, and could catch on fire.
If the bulbs were daylight Continuous florescent bulbs it wouldn't bother me to much.
Having the option to move your lamps around out side the tent helps control angle of reflection . You never see all 3 light being connect in a gantry style frame used by professionals.......
I am sorry but I would rather use some flash lights if I had to do this on the cheap.
If money wasn't a issue I would use flash or strobes.
One off shoe flash will light up one pen.
Two off shoe flash units and you could hang your pens in front of some white paper with fishing line and go 100% professional lighting for under 200.00 bucks.
Amazon.com: Yongnuo Professional Flash Speedlight Flashlight Yongnuo YN 560 III for Canon Nikon Pentax Olympus Camera / Such as: Canon EOS 1Ds Mark, EOS1D Mark, EOS 5D Mark, EOS 7D, EOS 60D, EOS 600D, EOS 550D, EOS 500D, EOS 1100D: Camera & Photo
The book Light science and Magic explains light and how to use light like a paint brush, and not like a fire hose.
Farmer