Best tabletop photography kit for beginners

[sdesigns]

I am basically a beginner when it comes to photography. I took a half a dozen or so photography classes in college, but that was almost 10 years ago. So for the lack of a better term, I am a beginner.

My real hobby is crafting and I would like to be able to photograph my creations. I am looking to take photos so I can post to a blog or possibly eventually sell my items. I've been looking into buying a tabletop photography kit to start. The problem I am having is I am not sure which one to get. I've been looking on sites like Amazon, B&H photo etc., but for every great review there is a horrible review. I don't want to spend a huge amount of money right now for something I am just trying out. If things go well I would consider investing more money in photography equipment in the future.

So basically I am looking for a tabletop photography kit that is easy to use, that will help me take nice photos, but won't break the bank. I know that these kits are not always the best, but for just trying it out I think it should work.

I would appreciate any advice.

 

[table1349]

Light up the Floor - A Floor Lit Table Top Studio Project | DIYPhotography.net

Build a Cheap DIY Tabletop Studio to Capture Great Small Object Photos

Creating Your Personal Tabletop Studio

 

[minicoop1985]

Light up the Floor - A Floor Lit Table Top Studio Project | DIYPhotography.net

Build a Cheap DIY Tabletop Studio to Capture Great Small Object Photos

Creating Your Personal Tabletop Studio

I'm going to try to make a floor lit table top for sure. The others, I think I may give a shot. That is amazing. Thanks for posting that.

 

[mmaria]

You have some great links there. They'll help a lot.
Can you be more specific in terms how do you want your craft to look like? do you want to soot it only as an isolated object or did you consider to put it in the context? what kind of craft is it?
It is not that matter (speaking just for myself) what will you buy or made but how will you set the things when shooting objects. You can get a pretty decent shot just with the lights and a sheet of white paper but the set up is something to think about. That costs 0$ but you invest time and effort.
If you buy some kit that will certainly make the whole process easier but it doesn't exclude the whole process of thinking what do you want to achieve, reflection or no reflection, shadows or no shadows, where the lights go...and how will you get it.
I don't know what kind of craft is it but did you consider to put it also in the context. When selling something people would probably be more drawn to it when there is a context involved.

 

[sdesigns]

I appreciate all links for making your own kits. I had never considered that, but it is definitely a strong option.

I mostly make decorations for parties, weddings, showers etc.. I also do some printed things like menus. For the most part they are all pretty small. I think to start I would like to just be able to take photographs to document my work. The more I think about it, I don't want to focus on taking photographs to sell my items as much as I want to be able to document them.
One thing I definitely know is that I will need to use different color backgrounds as many of the items I make, especially for weddings, tend to be white. As for what look I want to achieve overall, I am not exactly sure. I want to try things out and see what I like best.

Thanks for all your help. I greatly appreciate it. Any additional thoughts would be appreciated as well.