Photo setup in all it's glory.
Cheap and dirty photo setup that provides both top and side lighting.
This is made from 3 sheets of foamcore board (2 notched and folded into self-standing "L" right and left screens) with windows cut into them, and frosted acetate over the windows. I use fluorescent photo flood bulbs.. Use reflectors from the photo store meant to take this kind of bulb. They stay coller and last longer than olf tungsten photo floods..The foamcore gates not only provide diffusion and are self-standing, but also keep the light off the back of the drop for a more shadowed effect. The backdrop here is graduated, from Adorama photo, but many places sell graduated drop. You can use grey paper drop for a softer shadow graduation.
Photo setup lit.
This image shows fluorescent photoflood bulbs in reflectors made for them. These days, it's much better to use fluorescent photofloods. They stay cool, the bulbs last many, many times longer, and they seem to work with the white balance of my digital camera more easily. The reflectors have sockets for 3-4 bulbs.
Try doing an internet search for "fluorescent photoflood" to find companies that sell them.
Image taken in photo setup.
You want to make sure you put the object behind the light coming from the side windows, otherwise the sides are lit and the middle front is dark.
Resources
Potter John Glick generously offers a lot of photo info on his web site: web.mac.com/johnglick
I'm now using the new cool fluorescent photo flood lights for digital photography.