Lighting setup recommendation for designer

[fernandosilva]

Hey everyone! I'm a graphic designer and I do some print work and also draw and paint. I was wondering what everyone recommends for a light setup for photographing my artwork.

I currently have a Sony A350 with a 18-70mm lens and no lighting equipment. I've tried taking the photos outside but I also like to have the flexibility to do it inside, especially during the winter. The smaller the cost, the better since I'm only an amateur photographer and a broke college student lol, I like experimenting with long exposures, etc haha. Thank you to everyone in advance for your help and recommendations!

Fernando

[corvus2606]

Something like this might get yo headed in the right direction

[zona5101]

google a copy stand. It is what to use for photographing flat objects. The biggest feature is the 45degree mounted lights, if you don't go the copy stand route you would want to mimic the lighting with your external light sources. Also if you have artwort that has texture you will want to have a light source that is crossing the surface plane of the art.
If you are serious about it, pick up the book: Light: Science & Magic
Amazon.com: Light: Science and Magic: An Introduction to Photographic Lighting (9780240808192): Fil Hunter, Steven Biver, Paul Fuqua: Books

[fernandosilva]

Unfortunately I can't use a copy stand because some of my artwork is bigger than certain baseboards on the copy stands. But I will definitely look into that book, thank you for the suggestion!

@corvus2606 thank you for the link! I actually have some ceramic objects that need to photograph also so that light box will work.

I was thinking more along the lines of a strobe light kit with soft boxes that I can sync to my camera. That is, if that sort of setup is recommended for photographing artwork.

Thanks again everyone!

[zona5101]

Originally Posted by fernandosilva

Unfortunately I can't use a copy stand because some of my artwork is bigger than certain baseboards on the copy stands. But I will definitely look into that book, thank you for the suggestion!

@corvus2606 thank you for the link! I actually have some ceramic objects that need to photograph also so that light box will work.

I was thinking more along the lines of a strobe light kit with soft boxes that I can sync to my camera. That is, if that sort of setup is recommended for photographing artwork.

Thanks again everyone!

Sure you can use strobes but for that subject why not use continuous lights since your subject isn't moving and won't object to bright and/or hot lighting...

[SpeesAce]

I think this is pretty decent for its price : Jinbei Delicacy D-180 Studio Flits Kit