Favorite Inexpensive Lighting? - DPChallenge Forums

03/28/2006 01:45:28 PM · #1

I have a very, very limited amount of space--it's about 6 feet wide, at the widest part, and about 6 feet long, but I have to lay down to use my studio, since I use a mini-tripod for the majority of my shots since I have no way to do anything else. My backdrop is my front door, with my posterboard taped to it, curled around to get a seamless background to the floor. I have no room to the left of me, since that is where my couch is. My question is, since I'm telling you this information, is what would be the best inexpensive lighting that would take up the least amount of space, yet still be effective and not leave very harsh shadows?

This one is a doozy, I'm sure...

03/28/2006 01:47:59 PM · #2

What kind of shots are you doing?

03/28/2006 01:49:18 PM · #3

Well it depends on the kind of shooting you will do, but I just bought this Impact kit from B&H and really like it. It's relatively compact (stores in a single case) and provides a good amount of light.

03/28/2006 01:49:34 PM · #4

I'm playing around with different shots--macro photography, mostly objects and flowers and up-close things. No people, I have no room for that. Heh...

03/28/2006 01:50:33 PM · #5

For things like this desk lamps might be your best solution. Couple that with some aluminum foil for reflectors and you can do a lot of small object shots.

03/28/2006 01:50:36 PM · #6

Nevermind my suggestion then. Honestly if you are doing mostly macro and have a limited amount a space I would say go for a nice ring light.

03/28/2006 01:51:29 PM · #7

What's a ring light? *stupid*

Message edited by author 2006-03-28 13:52:37.

03/28/2006 01:53:06 PM · #8

Define fairly inexpensive. What kind of price range are you looking at... cause from the sounds of your limited space you probably just want a couple of speedlites. The 580's are great with the infrared transmitter but thats not really inexpensive in most peoples definitions... Sigma makes some good strobes too... much cheaper.

03/28/2006 01:54:00 PM · #9

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

For things like this desk lamps might be your best solution. Couple that with some aluminum foil for reflectors and you can do a lot of small object shots.

Hmmm...like, desk lamps from Staples and the like? That's not a bad idea. Thank you. :D

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

03/28/2006 01:55:18 PM · #10

Lighting Kit

Runs $209.00

Here is a ringlight on B&H:

Good for macro shots.
Link

BrennanOB

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

03/28/2006 01:55:19 PM · #11

Clamp lights, the kind you get for a few buck at the hardware store, with a full spectrum bulb. Closer=brighter so they are fully adjustable most shots in the magazines have a softbox within inches of the edge of the frame of the photograph, get those lights close! postioning is easy if you build a few PVC pipe light stands ( another 5 bucks.) If you want to go high end, get a foot of filter fabric of some other non combusitble diffusion material, and you have the softbox analoge. Use aluminum foil and black paper to create a snood to put the light only where you want it. Since you are shooting low, postioning flashlights on pillows can act as accent lighting, and a sheet of foamcore poster board is your bounce fill light.

03/28/2006 01:55:44 PM · #12

Originally posted by xcharrier:

I'm fairly new to lighting technicalities, and you're speaking a different language to me. Define speedlites for me, please, and infared transmitter, and strobe for me? Although strobe is a familiar word, I never knew the definition of it though.

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

03/28/2006 01:56:30 PM · #13

ST-E2 is awesome .... it wirelessly fires Canon's speedlites.

03/28/2006 01:56:43 PM · #14

Originally posted by sammigurl:

Hmmm...like, desk lamps from Staples and the like? That's not a bad idea. Thank you. :D

Yes, exactly any type of desk lamp will do. The bigger the head, the less harsh shadows you will get.

Also, most will run 100 watt bulbs, but they get hot, so watch that you don't cook flowers under them.

Message edited by author 2006-03-28 13:57:38.

03/28/2006 01:57:48 PM · #15

Originally posted by JayWalk:

Nevermind my suggestion then. Honestly if you are doing mostly macro and have a limited amount a space I would say go for a nice ring light.

Have you ever used a ring light? I've purchased two of them... a cheap pheonix (or something like that) and the Sigma with ETTL and neither one has given me very good results at all. I may not be using it correctly but I can never seem to get enough light out of them... everything seems to be under exposed. If you've used them and have had good results I'd love to know how you did it.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

03/28/2006 01:57:59 PM · #16

Originally posted by JayWalk:

Lighting Kit

Runs $209.00

Here is a ringlight on B&H:

Good for macro shots.
Link

Yeah, I can afford that in maybe the next, 3000 years, if I save up...LOL

Would be great though. Too bad I need a zoom and macro lens, or else I'd be saving for that now.

wavelength

Nikon D300

03/28/2006 01:58:33 PM · #17

I got a set of strobes from prophotolighting on ebay for 300 w/ softboxes, stick them in the corners of the room. Having the softboxes pointed out instead of umbrellas would save space.

Otherwise there are some daylight desklamps for really cheap. And get a 5 in 1 reflector set with a diffuser screen.

03/28/2006 01:59:55 PM · #18

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

Originally posted by sammigurl:

Hmmm...like, desk lamps from Staples and the like? That's not a bad idea. Thank you. :D

Yes, exactly any type of desk lamp will do. The bigger the head, the less harsh shadows you will get.

Also, most will run 100 watt bulbs, but they get hot, so watch that you don't cook flowers under them.

Ew, I wouldn't want to photograph burnt flowers. I'll do my best to turn it off every 10 minutes or so, should that be enough?

03/28/2006 02:02:16 PM · #19

Originally posted by sammigurl:

Ew, I wouldn't want to photograph burnt flowers. I'll do my best to turn it off every 10 minutes or so, should that be enough?

Yeah, that should be fine. Or stay with 60 watt bulbs, not quite as hot for you or the flowers. Upclose, they should give you ample light to work with.

03/28/2006 02:02:46 PM · #20

Originally posted by hopper:

ST-E2 is awesome .... it wirelessly fires Canon's speedlites.

Thanks Hopper... These are Canon Speedlites... they are triggered by the st-e2 (infrared transmitter) that sits on the camera. Basically they are able to communicate wirelessly to trigger the stobes. Strobes are just that... a light source that strobes or flashes during the exposure.

03/28/2006 02:03:01 PM · #21

Originally posted by BrennanOB:

How would I build a PVC pipe light stand? This seems like a great suggestion, thank you so much.

03/28/2006 02:04:55 PM · #22

Originally posted by xcharrier:

Originally posted by hopper:
ST-E2 is awesome .... it wirelessly fires Canon's speedlites.

Thanks Hopper... These are Canon Speedlites... they are triggered by the st-e2 (infrared transmitter) that sits on the camera. Basically they are able to communicate wirelessly to trigger the stobes. Strobes are just that... a light source that strobes or flashes during the exposure.

And how much would that run you? I'm scared after that ring light.

*mumbles to self* Why did I have to pick such an expensive hobby...

Message edited by author 2006-03-28 14:05:08.

03/28/2006 02:05:02 PM · #23

Here is a good link to build a PVC light box (it's the one I used). Total cost should run you around $12.00 - $15.00:
PVC Light Tent

Message edited by author 2006-03-28 14:06:02.

03/28/2006 02:07:13 PM · #24

Originally posted by JayWalk:

Here is a good link to build a PVC light box (it's the one I used):
PVC Light Tent

W00t! Thank you. I shall have to try to not cut my fingers off while using the saw. Or...maybe try to charm the people at the Home Depot to cut the pipe for me. ;)