SPOTLIGHTS. –Spotlights are one of the most important lights in small product photography. They produce light with a relatively high intensity and a well-defined, sharp quality. The rays of light produced by the Fresnel lens of the spotlight sharply separates the highlights from the shadow areas. A spotlight can create a visual sense of subject shape and bulk. When used in a skimming or crosslighting fashion, it renders sharp, crisp texture. Because the light rays are collimated, or parallel, with little flare or spillover, a spotlight produces high contrast. One great asset of spotlights in product photography is the controllability of the lights. The light can be controlled to highlight or isolate an area of the subject. Unwanted spillover into other areas can easily be avoided. Through proper use of accessories, such as snoots and barn doors, the control can be greatly extended.  A  disadvantage  of  spotlights  is  the  harsh quality  of  highlights  produced  on  some  subjects.  Bright spots  on  the  subject  may  be  pinpointed  and  hard  to avoid.  Nonetheless,  a  spotlight  is  a  most  effective  main light  for  product  photography. FLOODLIGHTS. –In product photography, floodlights are used to cover a large area with relatively even illumination. The quality of light from a floodlight is  very  much  dependent  on  the  reflector  surface. Polished,  metallic  reflectors  produce  a  specular, sparkling  quality,  while  matte-surface  reflectors produce a softer quality of illumination. The quality of illumination from a floodlight is also dependent on its distance from the subject. At a given distance, the spread pattern for a given light unit is almost even. Some units may produce hot spots when used too close or too far from the subject. The larger the reflector and the closer it is to the subject, the more diffused the light becomes. BOUNCE LIGHT AND UMBRELLAS.–The  use of  bounce  light  for  product  photography  produces  a pleasant quality. The light, because it is coming from one  general  direction,  not  an  obvious  source,  surrounds the  subject  with  soft  illumination,  gently  enhancing curves  and  shapes  while  producing  soft  but  distinct shadows. Bounce light can be used for either overall illumination  or  as  fill  illumination. Umbrellas, being large and somewhat parabolic in shape,  are  more  efficient  than  plane  or  board  reflectors. FUNDAMENTAL   PRODUCT   LIGHTING Given a product assignment, you must determine ways to photograph or present the subject best. Aside from  product  arrangement  and  picture  composition, which must lead to an understanding of the purpose of the picture, you must first deal with the lighting. By the correct use of light, you can create a natural lighting, which is attractive, and simulates outdoor light. In product photography, you should always strive to produce  lighting  that  appears  natural,  as  though  the product was illuminated by natural sunlight. After all, it is  natural  daylight  by  which  all  light  is  judged. Illumination from the main light should come from above and somewhat behind the subject, usually from about a 40- to 60-degree angle. In many commercial texts the main light is also referred to as the key light; these  terms  are  used  interchangeably  by  professional photographers. There should be one definite light source and only one set of dominant shadows, and the shadows must  be  illuminated  sufficiently  so  the  shadow  detail  is maintained in the film image. In a naturally lighted outdoor scene, this shadow detail is preserved by general skylight illumination. In the studio, this shadow detail is preserved or created by the correct use of soft, diffused,  fill  lights  or  reflectors. In the studio, you can create the lighting effect of an overcast sky with a light tent or by using indirect lighting.  This  type  of  lighting  is  especially  useful  when you  are  photographing  shiny  products,  such  as  bare metal  and  glass. Backlighting is one of the essential tools in product lighting. Establishing the main light behind the subject often helps present three-dimensional form better than frontlighting. Aside from the subject being rimmed with light, which separates it from the background, the foreground shadow duplicates the shape of the object, making it easier to identify. LIGHTING BASIC SHAPES Most small product items fall under two basic or general   shapes:   rectangular   and   spherical.   The illustrations in the following paragraphs show ways that basic  lighting  can  be  used  to  present  shape.  Although  a perfect rectangle and a perfect circle are used in the illustrations, they are not intended to limit your lighting setups. You must, of course, make lighting adjustments, depending on how rectangular or spherical the subject is and the way you want to present it. Lighting  Rectangular  Shapes Rectangular- or box-shaped products can be lighted with just three lights-a spotlight from the rear and two floodlights, one on each side of the camera. 6-23