Advice with setup for table tops

[DeonHolt]

Good afternoon and thank you for your help.

I have setup for myself something like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zARq...eature=related (please check it out if you don't mind.)

Attached are 2 pictures:
* my own setup
* a picture I have taken





What do I need to do to get rid of the shadow on the bottom left? Apart from what you see on my setup, I have taken the pictures in our warehouse and the roof has 2 sheets of transparent fibre glass IBR. The light bulbs are 100W each and are the blue daylight ones. Can it be that the shadow is more caused by the light from the sun shining through that the light bulbs not being strong enough? The screens are acetate which I bought from Maizey's.

I really will appreciate your help with this one.
Regards,

[Trevor Ives]

well a picture says a thousand words doesn't it -meaning that setup images tells us exactly how you got the result below, so thanks for that!

two things i'd do would be:

First, move the lights AWAY from the diffusion panels - you'll get a softer light as more of the panel will be used

Second, why not move the boards off the surface. You can use a bit of prestik on a small rod to move the card higher and away from the white table top. then, with smart light placement, you can avoid the shadows completely.

[Leo Theron]

Yes, a picture is worth a thousand words - for sure...

Looking at the image that shows us the full warehouse, it is clear to see that your two lights behind the diffusers were not able to overpower the ambient light. You can see from the distinct shadows below the mounting holes that there is a significant amount of light coming from the top - ie the skylights as you have pointed out.

I would:

- turn those diffusing frames on their sides, put the light close to the diffusing panel and the panels close to the PC board. (Principle: Soft light needs a proportionly big source - so go CLOSE)

- cover the TOP of my lighting frames to prevent that top, roof light negating my lighting efforts.

- lift the board off the white background is important. (Balance the board on a film cannister - if you can find one!) - as Trevori said.

Please show us your results.

[Mariusbez]

or just dodge it in photoshop only kidding. some good advice given.
Alternative option is to build a light tent from pvc pipe and use white bull denim material to cover it

[Leo Theron]

Oops forgot...

Close down another stop or two to get more DOF!

[DeonHolt]

Thanx Guys. I will make the changes accordingly and let you know.
Thanx for your time in answering me.

Regards,

[A2J]

would like to see the new photos!
did it work out?
need some more DOF. (like someone already said)