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06/21/2004 05:50:20 PM · #1 |
| Anybody feeling the same thing that I do, I wish I had a studio. It is going to be very hard to compete with with those how have one, although it's always a possibility to be creative, is just going to be hard, very hard. |
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06/21/2004 05:56:18 PM · #2 |
Oh man, I hear you. I've said that for the longest time that it's hard to compete against those people that have really nice setups. Of course you can always improvise. I consider that the fun part anyway...trying to get a good studio look with no studio. The closest thing I have to a studio is a black poster board. I use end table lamps and natural lighting for everything. Of course, this may explain a lot too.
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06/21/2004 06:08:36 PM · #3 |
I don't feel the same way and I don't have a studio either...
I still mananaged to take this picture using only a blue cardboard that I bought for 50 cents at dollarama and a strong light. It was dead simple and I still got extremely studio-like results
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06/21/2004 06:19:53 PM · #4 |
You don't need an "expensive studio" to compete in this challenge. If you do a web search for "natural light portraits" or "available light portraits" you'll find lots of information, everything from books to photographer's galleries to workshops. Natural light portraits are all the rage these days.
Here is an article from Shutterbug magazine titled "Available Light Portraits: 10 Secrets To Photographing People Using Minimum Equipment" that might be a good start. |
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06/21/2004 06:41:55 PM · #5 |
A cheap alternative to studio lights are utility reflectors equipped with one of the new natural light bulbs like Reveal. I used a large gro-light as my main light for this photo:
I'm not claiming it is a fabulous photo but it isn't bad. This was done with the gro-light on a 10" reflector in addition to a Phillips Natural 75 watt bulb on a 8" reflector and the same in a gooseneck lamp.
I did this photo with just the 8" reflector and a regular bulb (someone suggested the natural daylight bulbs to me after seeing this portrait--because of the reddish and yellow tones in the skin). This was my first attempt at a more formal portrait and I don't think it is a half-bad effort. I have confidence that I'll be able to learn from my mistakes to do something pretty nice for this challenge with minimum scratch.
You can always use natural window light with white poster board for a reflector.
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06/21/2004 06:51:56 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by labuda:
I don't feel the same way and I don't have a studio either...
I still mananaged to take this picture using only a blue cardboard that I bought for 50 cents at dollarama and a strong light. It was dead simple and I still got extremely studio-like results
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What kind of light did you use?
and did you use something to soften it?
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06/21/2004 08:00:46 PM · #7 |
| Don't get me wrong, I know very well that it is possible, BUT Ã still want a studio :) |
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06/21/2004 08:17:38 PM · #8 |
I understand you completely. But, I don't have anybody to photograph. How's that for a challenge disadvantage. And don't even suggest a self-portrait :)
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06/21/2004 08:35:17 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by joanns:
I understand you completely. But, I don't have anybody to photograph. How's that for a challenge disadvantage. And don't even suggest a self-portrait :) |
Yup I'm in the same boat...I'll have to try and find colleagues and friends and wring their arms to pose for me...
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06/21/2004 09:35:56 PM · #10 |
Taken outdoor, almost looks like a studio
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06/21/2004 09:39:33 PM · #11 |
I think this is the closest I´ve got to a studio portrait, but it was far from any studio setup, just a lucky snapshot with the light coming in from an open door :D
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07/14/2004 07:34:41 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by Nazgul:
Originally posted by labuda:
I don't feel the same way and I don't have a studio either...
I still mananaged to take this picture using only a blue cardboard that I bought for 50 cents at dollarama and a strong light. It was dead simple and I still got extremely studio-like results
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What kind of light did you use?
and did you use something to soften it? |
I used a 500W incandescent light bulb. The softening was achieved by going as far back as possible and zooming in + keeping the aperture open. I basically minimized the depth of field and kept the model as far from the background as possible. This way, any detail on the blue cardboard is blurred to nothingness.
Message edited by author 2004-07-14 19:35:28. |
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07/14/2004 08:08:44 PM · #13 |
Believe me: you do not need a studio. I closed my studio some years ago and I still do what I did then.
Here is what you need. You need three lights of equal intensity: One for main light, second for fill in and third for a back light. What you also need are reflectors. Here is how I solved reflectors. I made 3 frames of wood. Mine are 3 feet by 5, but you can make them smaller. You can also buy poster board from your art supply store.
Now here is the problem: Whether halogen, incandescent or strobe you will rarely use them direct. They all suffer from the hot spots. Most lighting on models is by reflected light. It does not define as well as the direct lights, but the diffusion allows more subtle detail to show.
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