Pixiq

I have this article, posted here few days ago: How to get complete white background out from a camera (for $10) and got a lot of discussion going on around.

The most entertaining was on reddit.com, where some readers were pointing to the fact that I use thousand dollars equipment to get shot done and was claiming it to be "$10 solution".

I know that for most amateurs (I was the same:-), having professional camera, lighting and support equipment seems to be necessary to get professional-looking results and to start making money form the photography.

I agree with this, but with a little and very essential exception: it is not always necessary to have pro gear to have job done. Professional gear allows photographer to do the job most efficiently, timely and have repeatable results.
In most cases the same thing can be done with what any of amateur already have: paper, lamps and ANY camera (talking about studio tabletop photography). It just less convenient, more time consuming and less predictable... but it is doable!:-)

Lack of a pro-grade gear can't be an excuse for a bad image, IMO. 

Few month ago I had that test-for-fun demonstration of what can be done with almost any point-and-shoot camera, when good lighting is used: Do you really need an expensive DSLR camera? Point-and-shoot Vs professional DSLR.

Now I'll show you that simple product shot on a white background could be done with no professional lights or "real" light modifiers at all! The only thing needed is some support for the lights, white paper/cardboard screens and a camera.

I think this will be very useful for small businesses, who need get their products photographed on a white background with no budget for a professional photographer service.

I have these two little tabletop lamps form IKEA (below), and I am going to use them to get non-perfect shot of a cream bottle on a perfectly white background.

I've added foil "brandoors" to make the light output adjustable: I need 2 more stops on a background, so the left light should be dimmed.

Below is the result, AS-IS from a camera RAW (only WB was adjusted):

The same white background, is not it?

Here is the lighting setup:

I've used piece of paper instead of softbox from the front-left. Cardboard ($4.99) on the right. Second light (same ikea $10) from the bottom, the same position as a strobe.

This is how it looks like when no other lights present:

Just to remind you how it was with PCB strobes, softboxes and diffusers:

The only thing I was missing in my $10 setup is a third light from the right-behind. I did not have the same lamp (plus, I was laisy to adopt another light), and it was necessary to use lights with the same bulbs to preserve white balance on all lights sources.

The shot was done with ISO 100, F11, shutter speed of 6 seconds.I've used the same Canon 180mm F3.5 L Macro lens.
NO other lights in a studio! (this was important as well). Also, when working with such long exposures, engaging mirror lockup function will help to get sharper images, as it reduces camera vibration.

Hope this will be helpful :-)

Related articles:
How to get complete white background out from a camera
Glassware on white background: high-key in product photography
Macro on a white background: simple yet very useful tricks

Alex