By Andrew Hales, Lead Photographer, New Zealand Maritime Museum
Produced by New Zealand Maritime Museum 2025
Basic Summary
This setup was created to capture small objects, suitable for top-down photos like coins, buttons, pendants, etc, on a copy stand.
A single light was used to light the face of the objects, but from an angle to show any details in the relief and card reflectors were used to manage shadows.
One 60x60 softbox is set up to the left of the copy stand, overhanging the camera, suspended from an arm attached to the C stand with grip clamps. Card reflector used to bounce light back onto the object.
The light is suspended on a C-Stand using space limitations; it is now wall-mounted, making it less intrusive in the space.
Example Image
Images of set up with notes
60x60 softbox on Broncolour Siros light to the left of copy stand, suspended from arm attached to C stand in the corner of the office (refer to archival setup to see how this C stand is set up). Softbox is angled down towards the object, roughly at a 45-degree angle. A white background is used, mainly an acrylic panel as it has a smooth surface texture and will not detract from the object being photographed. A reflector card is used instead of a second fill light.
The softbox has been moved closer to the copy stand by sliding the light up to the end of the arm.
Softbox overhangs the camera so that the object is lit from above the light positioned at an angle means the object is lit more by direct light from the softbox.
Acrylic panel and card reflector used. The panel allows for a smoother surface finish, and the reflector is used to bounce the light from the left softbox back onto the object.