A while back, I realized that my various improvised lighting arrangements just weren't going to produce the quality or consistency of pen photos that I was seeking. After quite a bit of searching, I finally put together a set of lights I am really pleased with. Unfortunately, the assemblage of components I arrived at was not available as a single product, so I convinced the manufacturer to make a package to my specifications that I am now exclusively offering.
The kit has no bells or whistles -- just the core components that are needed for bright, diffuse, controllable illumination when used with a light tent, and at a reasonable price. The light kit consists of two sets of stands, sockets with cordsets, large aluminum reflectors, and it includes a pair of 5000K (daylight) compact spiral fluorescent bulbs for a total equivalent of 200 watts of incandescent output. The stands and reflectors are finished in black to cut down on unwanted reflections, and the stands' flat bases allow them to be placed very close to, or even under, a light tent for flexible positioning.
If you need a complete setup with light tent, I have a package that contains all the components listed above plus a pop-up 20-inch cube tent with clip-on black and white backdrops and case. The tent has a removable panel on one side that has a central zippered slit for poking through a camera while blocking reflections. I use this tent for angled shots and for larger objects or spreads.
Here's a sample photo made using the complete kit (please click on the bar at the top of the image to see the full-size version):
This is the complete kit with lights and cube tent:
The light kit (without tent) may be ordered from me for $99 + $15 S/H in the continental US. The complete kit with 20" cube tent is $149 + $15 S/H in CONUS. Please follow this link for more information and sample images.
--Daniel
