How to Light for Close Up Product Shots & Reviews

How do I shoot a close-up product video with a white background? Here are the basics on how I do it. The biggest secret is to soften the light by shooting it through an umbrella or similar scrim (such as the type included in a 5-in-1 reflector.

If you’d like to improve your sound recording skills for film, please have a look at our Sound Recording for Video course over at http://school.learnlightandsound.com

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Gear mentioned in or used to record this episode:

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Foamcore Poster Board (see your local art supply store for larger pieces)

Amazon: https://geni.us/CfnTY3

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Spring Clamps (to hold the foamcore in place on the table)

Amazon: https://geni.us/HjRJ0Ma

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Impact Century Stand with turtle base

Amazon: https://geni.us/xf31Bh

B&H Photo: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/850444-REG/Impact_ls_ct40mbk_Turtle_Base_C_Stand_Kit.html/BI/19904/KBID/12941/kw/IMLSCT40MBK/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xIMLSCT40MBK

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Aputure Light Storm COB 120t LED Light (This was the key light I used to shoot this video)

Amazon: https://geni.us/AZTMI

B&H Photo: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1257043-REG/aputure_lsc120tv_lightstorm_cob120_v_mount_light.html/BI/19904/KBID/12941/kw/APLSC120TV/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xAPLSC120TV

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Umbrella (Shoot through for Soft Light - Great for Interview or Talking Head) Westcott

Amazon: https://geni.us/W5hGTY4

B&H Photo: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/63318-REG/Westcott_2005_Umbrella_Optical_White_45.html/BI/19904/KBID/12941/kw/WEU45W/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xWEU45W

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5-in-1 Reflector (you can use this instead of the umbrella by shooting the light through this and using a spring clamp to attach it to a light stand)

Amazon: https://geni.us/ktoLgLA

B&H Photo: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/501357-REG/Westcott_301_5_in_1_Reflector_Disc.html/BI/19904/KBID/12941/kw/WER5140.5/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xWER5140.5

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Aputure Light Storm LS1s LED Panel Lights (Used on background and rim lights for this video)

Amazon: https://geni.us/SZVD

B&H Photo: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1172653-REG/aputure_ls1sv_light_storm_ls_1s.html/BI/19904/KBID/12941/kw/APLS1SV/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xAPLS1SV

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Sanken COS-11D Lavalier Microphone

Amazon: https://geni.us/y9XJ5

B&H Photo: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/606469-REG/Sanken_COS_11D_PT_BK_EW_COS_11XPT_Omnidirectional_Lavalier_Microphone.html/BI/19904/KBID/12941/kw/SAC11WNSETRB/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xSAC11WNSETRB

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RODELink Wireless Lavalier Microphone Kit

Amazon: https://geni.us/VSAy

B&H Photo: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1115091-REG/rode_rodlnk_fm_rodelink_wireless_filmmaker_kit.html/BI/19904/KBID/12941/kw/RORODLNKFM/DFF/d10-v2-t1-xRORODLNKFM

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Copyright 2016 by Curtis Judd

Ethics statement: Some of the links above are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, or other affiliate links.