MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

I have looked high and low for an answer to my question as I build my table top setup... Should I paint or not paint the table top and pvc cage to help with light management ? Sounds silly, but I was thinking about light reflection. If so, what color tone is recommended... Maybe I am overthinking this. Thanks Bob

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

Wouldn't it be better covered with felt so there is no reflections? If you want to add reflections later on you could control how much and where from.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

What kind of table top photography? what type of lighting

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Fore table top simple desk lamps are fine, low cost and store easily. The intensity is adjusted by distance and White Balance can be adjusted for by the camera or in post. Flashlights can "spot" area for brightness and emphasis of the subject. As tradio suggested felt fabric is excellent, it too rolls up for storage.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Insects and small objects. pretty much inspired by Allan Walls design in his Youtube video... Hereally did not go into painting or coverings.... On reflection, I guess one could lay down material conducive to what one was trying to illuminate.

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Thanks... coverings as you and trade stated are prob. best decided for subject matter... BTW, How is that Tampa Bay weather... Lived in Oldsmar for 50 years; still chilly up here in NE Alabama.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

I really depends on how you are staging/holding your subjects and the top of lights you are using.
This set-up is moveable with brakes on all four castors.
The compound "mill" table allows for coarser adjustments fore&aft and side to side.
The strobes are used because I already had them and they work very well for me.

For very small insects/parts check SippyJugs work

both the camera and subject bases are converted CNC router kits which allow me as small as .0025" electronic movements, which work well for me.

(Download)

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Thank you very much for the info... cage and table are almost identical to the one from Allan's video... Really nice setup, for as little as I know at the present... Mobility issues led me into this area of photography. I see painting is not a priority at this time... Now, to finish building and get some clicks in... Thanks again.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Mr. Bob, tabletop macro photography is a great venue for a person with limited mobility and it can be done in the comfort of the home, day or night, regardless of the weather. The "world of the small" can be described as its own universe and even the most common item looks interesting when viewed under magnification.

The subjects will be quite close to the end of the lens compared to other photography so the illumination will be quite close as well. The intensity of light diminishes to the square of the distance so creating dark backgrounds is quite easy and unless there is something close to the subject that is reflective, there should be no issue.

I use a DIY lens hood made of black velvet to act as "blinders" similar to that on a horse harness. This keeps any stray light from coming into the lens. Other reflective items can be blocked by placing the velvet material in front of them. I use 8-1/2 x 11 sheets of crushed velvet rigid paper that I get at the Hobby Lobby.

Internal glare is detrimental to sharpness so hold your lens assembly up to a light and look through it as though you are the camera. If you see any glare or halo, you need to flock the interior of the assembly. You should only see a clear, round circle of light surrounded by complete darkness.

One word of caution....macro photography is highly addictive with no known cure.😜

MrBob Loc: lookout Mtn. NE Alabama

Thanks Sippy... I have always admired your work and look forward to diving in...( Will keep a lifeline attached to cage ) I will post my table/cage when finished. Your info will be followed to the T... I have some OCD, hence my inquiry about paint !. Thanks again... Bob