better product photography

I've been working at increasing my photography skills. I think I've got a pretty good eye for photography, but I'm always looking for ways to increase the 'technical' side of the business. You know, like, studio lighting, light boxes, camera settings and the like. I've even gone so far as to take a photography class in indianapolis. I already knew most of what they had taught, but you pick up a few tidbits. so anyway, I made my own small lightbox out of remnant materials laying around the house, (my finished product looks SORTA like this but nearly as cool) a wooden frame, white freezer paper for a background. The only purchase was an under the counter type of fluorescent light fixture that I mounted to the wooden frame. Plug the whole mess in and TaDa- you've got a countertop light box. I'm not saying it's the best thing. But it seems to work. I think I'm really going to have to add 2 side lights for it to be the 'greatest'. But for now, the overhead bar of light works. anyway, My ETSY account always has nifty blurbs about product photography. Here's the latest helpful how to video they've posted.

Great Product Photos from Etsy Inc. on Vimeo.

If Product photography is too tame, You can start to think like a sports photographer. I know from experience there is nothing worse on the front page of your newspaper than a TER-RI-BLE wet, dark, red eyed water monster known as a young swimming athlete that appears to be mucking around in a swamp.. but it happens. My friend, Ed Henninger offers a link for better sports photography tips here.