Question about IV poles/lighting set up

[Deleted]

I finally put up the IV poles with shop lights to light my photo area. My question is, where exactly do the lights go? I have them hanging from the IV poles on either side of the table I use for my photos but they are casting a shadow on my mannequin. Do they need to be a certain number of feet from the photo area and angled in a certain direction?

My husband is also making me crazy because he's saying the lights are dangerous because they contain mercury. He didn't want me to use them because he was afraid they would get knocked over and emit mercury gas or whatever it is that comes out. Now I am a nervous wreck around the lights. It's been a very annoying afternoon to say the least.

[Shirley U Geste]

You need to experiment with distance and placing so you don't get shadows. It can take awhile to find the perfect spot but once you do it works for most things you need to take pics of.  You also can't put your item too close to the backdrop as that causes shadows.

I place mine about 3-4' back from the item that I am taking pics of. Not directly in front of the item, each one off to the side with a bit of an angle towards the item.

.............................................manni

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As to the mercury, here is a great article: energyblog.nationalgeographic.com/2014/01/08/separating-myth-from-fact-on-cfls-and-leds-five-concerns-addressed/

A good point from it: According to a 2008 article on the issue in the scientific journal Environmental Health Perspectives, CFLs typically contain from three to five milligrams of mercury—about one hundredth of the mercury content of the older thermostats that may still be found in some homes.

[Deleted]

Thank you Shirley. I will experiment tomorrow.

[chapeaunoir]

Yes, as Shirley said having your subject too close to your backdrop is the biggest reason. I can't use flash or lights at all because I only have about 2' total depth of space for my photoing and even using overhead natural light throws shadows with flash - you really do need a good 3-4'.

Also, you can move your lights higher and then angle them slightly downward to move any residual shadow down off the subject. Putting a white board beneath your subject also helps.

Don't worry about the fluorescent lights - your DH is probably thinking of those old timey ones. The mercury is infinitesimal, and unless you're slam dancing during your photo sessions the chances of your knocking them over are pretty darned small to begin with.

ETA: Here is Camera Jim's tutorial on fashon photo'ing - he's got some lighting tips in here (Jim is a super nice guy and really knows his subject).

Camera Jim's Guide