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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> DIY lighting and backdrop on a budget.
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04/20/2009 03:02:31 AM · #1
Hi all,

I have recently been trying to better light my subjects but have only been frustrated by doing so. My shots are turning out really warm, almost to the point where everything is orangish. I am using regular house lamps so I guess I shouldn't expect that much from them.

So I guess the main question I should be asking is how can I produce better lighting without spending a ton of cash on fill lighting and flashes. What kind of bulbs should I be looking for. Also, for backdrops, are some materials better than others?

Any tips and tricks you can share would be great.
04/20/2009 04:16:28 AM · #2
Strobist

'nuff said. This is a really good source for everything you're describing.

Also, in terms of the orangyness - either change the white balance on your camera to "tungsten" or use a cooling gel if you're using normal bulbs!

J
04/20/2009 05:05:47 AM · #3
"Buzzle" is not a location with which I am familiar (that's where your profile says you're from) but in the US (and other parts of the world) you can buy "daylight" bulbs for your house lamps - they're bluer than normal light bulbs and that can help with the orangish problem. For backdrops, it depends on how big you want one. Some ideas include sheets (but they need ironing or post-process blurring), drop cloths from someplace like Home Depot, muslin or velvet from a fabric store (black velvet makes a nice backdrop but can get fuzzy and linty - will have to be kept clean or cleaned in post processing). For smaller backdrops, check out posterboard at arts and crafts stores.
04/20/2009 05:26:59 AM · #4
Thanks for the heads up on the location, I never noticed. I was going to fix up my profile signed up for membership.

That site looks awesome Jimi, exactly what I was looking for.

I remember hearing someone else talking about muslin in another post, but was unsure of what it was. Makes sense now. I had thought about going to a fabric store to pick up some cloth, but I just wasn't sure of what to ask for.

Thanks for the input :)
04/20/2009 07:17:25 AM · #5
FYI for those that may not know - muslin is very cheap usually all cotton fabric in sort of beige-ish - but also comes dyed in other colors, including white. You can even get "extra wide" muslin that quilters use for quilt backs (you may have to ask for it that way) that is 90 inches wide versus the standard 44/45 inches for normal muslin. This can help if you want a larger backdrop without seams.
04/20/2009 07:28:00 AM · #6
Another idea for backdrops is to paint one of your walls with one of those velvet or ragged finishes. If you choose your colour carefully you can then alter the colour afterwards in photoshop, so you end up with quite a few different looks. The ragged look gives it great character, and you never need to iron or fold it away :-)
You can also attach a couple of hooks at the top of the wall, and buy cheap single curtains from a manchester shop or department store in interesting textures or patterns for a change of look - they do need an iron, but they give you a huge range of choices, and sit neatly on the hooks on the wall.

Re lighting, some people have had good success with the dual builders worklights that you get very cheaply from hardware stores. They're still orange as they're tungsten, but you can easily change the white balance, or converting to B&W negates that problem entirely.
04/20/2009 07:38:55 AM · #7
I use two 600 Watt work lights that I bought at Home Depot. For most shots I keep in Auto White balance (which shows up orange) and then later in post-processing i'll change the white balance to Tungsten. The reason I leave it in Auto is just in case I decide to cut the light off and work with natural light or use a halogen light or whatever...i don't want to forget to change the white balance in the camera. But changing the white balance to Tungsten gets rid of the orange coloring.

As for backdrops....why use just back drops..they are boring...i found using furniture and a wall to be just as good.
04/20/2009 09:31:06 AM · #8
I've used household lamps of both tungsten and flourescent variety with good results. Are you are shooting in RAW and adjusting your white balance in your RAw converter? That will give you maximum control. A yellow cast is the usual result of using household lamps with a daylight white balance set.
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