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05/11/2003 10:18:16 PM · #1 |
Hi guys,
I've lately been getting less than satisfactory results with the lighting setup I have purchased. My budget was a little tight so its basically just a stand and a small tungsten lamp with a 250w bulb. I really don't have the means, at least for a while, to purchase anything else. Provides ample illumination but lighting is very harsh. I tried diffusing it with materials found at a local fabric store... works well for still ife, but with portraits there's just not enough light getting through... I've tried the light and diffusion material being at various lengths and find nothing workable...
Either I need some other kind of material for a more effective diffuser, or another [smaller] light source to get rid of the harsh shadows, etc...
I don't really want to start playing with two lights until I'm happy and feel skillfull handling one light. Is there something cheap I can get that makes a more effective diffuser? Any other gadgets that would help with some lighting, ie, something that tightly focuses the light, (replacing expensive barn doors), and yet can withstand the heat?
Any ideas or suggestions?
Thanks for any help! |
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05/11/2003 10:47:01 PM · #2 |
| What kind of fabrics are you using to diffuse? Have you tried sheer or a tight netting? You could also try bouncing the light off tag board or something :) |
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05/11/2003 10:49:22 PM · #3 |
| Chinese Lanterns work good for fill lights. I don't know if you guys have a Pier 1, but they usually go for around $10. |
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05/11/2003 11:15:20 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by matt betea:
Chinese Lanterns work good for fill lights. I don't know if you guys have a Pier 1, but they usually go for around $10. |
Sylandrix, head down to Chinatown - you can get them there for about $3 - look in the wholesale places that also sell to the public!!!
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05/11/2003 11:21:39 PM · #5 |
I think I need a picture of these Chinese Lanterns.
With regards to focusing light - try aluminium (Australia spelling provided at no extra cost) foil. Steal it from the kitchen. I had to use some for the Glass challenge to prevent a cardboard box from catching fire! Yes, I work with halogen worklights currently myself.
Use cardboard or similar for strength, and foil for reflectiveness / heat protection. I actually used a cardboard roll to provide a focused beam of light at one point - it worked fairly well for an extremely cheap setup. |
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05/11/2003 11:30:14 PM · #6 |
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05/11/2003 11:49:15 PM · #7 |
Thanks for the very quick replies :) Chinese lanterns sound like an interesting idea!
For the diffusion material I am currently using that kind of material they sometimes line the insides of dresses or jackets with...I don't know what its called but when I saw it in the fabric store, it looked like an ideal fabric... I used it in the current challenge and it worked just great, I can't understand why using it for portraits yields so little light...because I'm lighting a larger area? because I had to set the light further back and so I needed a large dffusion material? I'm not sure... |
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05/11/2003 11:51:17 PM · #8 |
I went to the mega home center and bought a piece of light diffuser material used in overhead lights. It works fairly well if you prop it up so it does not touch the light. It will melt if it gets too close to the heat (I also used a 250w lamp).
BTW, when the budget allows, you might look at the Smith-Victor KT 900 which has 2 500w tungstens with umbrellas and a 250w boom. I just got this set up from B&H for $225. The umbrellas really make a difference.
Dennis
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05/11/2003 11:56:15 PM · #9 |
David,
Make your source appear larger by placing a reflector behind it in relation to the subject. You can use any cheap reflecting material. The material can be bent to form a concave or convex "mirror". The result will be less of a point source, and also MORE light on the subject. The addition of a diffuser will still be necessary, no doubt, but you'll need less additional diffusion, so again your light problem will be mitigated. |
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05/12/2003 12:16:45 AM · #10 |
For diffusion I purchased some scrap lace for about $5. I can multiply the layers to reduce the transparency. To be honest though I have not been impressed by the quality obtained, but I suspect more practise is required before giving up.
I've also heard of people taking a normal umbrella and spraying the inside with silver paint for a cheap reflector - I haven't tried this yet but might do so soon since I want to try portraits. The heat of the lights is a concern though - I realise I will have to start using a flash soon.
Finally, something I didn't originally realise is this. Having an umbrella or reflector far away from the subject doesn't work - it must be as close as possible. When you think about the size of the light source being the most important factor this makes sense but it's something I didn't originally consider. |
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05/12/2003 01:01:52 AM · #11 |
| Salad bowls are pretty cheap too. Photog stores usually sell a 12" for around $25 or so. Hardware stores you can get them for $5-$10. |
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