| Author | Thread |
|
|
02/15/2012 01:06:56 AM · #1 |
I want to make a small setup with lights to take indoor studio type pictures. Not of people but of objects such as bottles, vases, plants, pets, etc. My wife has been sick for a while and having to go through a lot of test so I am not able to get out taking pictures and entering challenges, as I would like to.
I tried for a few hours tonight to get an entry in the challenge but did not have enough lighting. I do not have a flash but I think if I could get the right kind of light at Home depot or Lowe's it should work. I'm currently saving up for a fast prime lens. Not an expensive one.
I did get a few shots today while she was having her CT and Ultra sound done but nothing challenge worthy. I did post one of the pictures in my profile.
Can anyone give me some advice on a cheap setup?
Thanks in advance
Scott
ETA: Please keep my wife Melissa in your thoughts and prayers. -Thanks!
Message edited by author 2012-02-15 01:09:14.
|
|
|
|
02/15/2012 01:21:22 AM · #2 |
where is Yo_spiff when you need him? I purchased a cheap set of vivitar speedlights from him I think it was $35-or $45 for the whole set they had peanut triggers so when my on camera flash fires or other main flash fires they go off. I have had miles of use out of them. I would be happy to part with them but they are my current lighting set up and I use them just about everyday. I am planning on getting new lighting sometime this year but I am going to pay for them with my stock photo money and I don't know how quickly that is going to happen.
I wonder if you did some looking or asking around if you couldn't find a similar used set-up someone has lying around that they just don't use anymore.
As far as home depot goes you can get shop lights for around $15 at either home depot or walmart and then put 300 watt light bulbs in them the lighting still wouldn't be strong enough for some things but might work for some smaller objects.
ETA: praying for your wife
Message edited by author 2012-02-15 01:24:26. |
|
|
|
02/15/2012 01:22:16 AM · #3 |
| and i hear that you can do the same with a good set of shop lights. but thats just what i hear... |
|
|
|
02/15/2012 01:44:32 AM · #4 |
Shop lights may work but are often difficult to use as they generate significant amounts of light and can be hazardous as a result, in addition to being weaker than you might think. You might consider building something like a light tent though, there are many DIY examples for this floating around online. Here's one, for example.
It sorta depends exactly what you're aiming to photograph and in what way, I guess. If you're just doing still life stuff, this is a pretty feasible way of doing things, but you will need a tripod, as your exposures might be longer (or you'll need to really crank your ISO... which I would avoid). Not sure if you have a tripod, but if you don't, you can use a beanbag stacked on something else relatively well. |
|
|
|
02/15/2012 01:55:53 AM · #5 |
I know funds are tight but you might be better off saving your money for something like this. It is realatively cheap and you might end up spending close to that just getting a set up from home depot. The cheapest you are going to get at home depot is around $40 for everthing. this would be $60 more, but you are getting so much more for your money.
Amazon Cowboy studio strobes
I know it's a cheap set up but I think for what you are wanting to do it would be perfect. |
|
|
|
02/15/2012 03:17:34 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by sjhuls:
I know funds are tight but you might be better off saving your money for something like this. It is realatively cheap and you might end up spending close to that just getting a set up from home depot. The cheapest you are going to get at home depot is around $40 for everthing. this would be $60 more, but you are getting so much more for your money.
Amazon Cowboy studio strobes
I know it's a cheap set up but I think for what you are wanting to do it would be perfect. |
Now I like that set up.
|
|
|
|
02/15/2012 04:47:24 AM · #7 |
I just got a yn560 of amazon £52 inc delivery here use it as my second strobe it's excellent I'm going to be getting some more
Also got one of those eBay 2x250watt strobe kits with all the modifiers etc think that was £150 |
|
|
|
02/15/2012 08:47:28 AM · #8 |
Before I got flashes, I used some inexpensive desk lamps. Not very bright, but when using a tripod, I can use whatever long shutter speed is needed. Only thing to watch then is the ambient light, which will affect your pics on long exposures.
I don't have another set of bargain bin Vivitars, I'm afraid. Jenn has totally wowed me with what she's been doing with lighting using those cheapies. I upgraded to some cheap Yongnou flashes and wireless triggers, but I don't use them constantly. I've learned that I prefer finding my shots in the real world rather than doing studio setups.
|
|
|
|
02/15/2012 09:01:07 AM · #9 |
I just ordered a PBL light tent kit for about $80, it is currently out of stock but there are many like it, including some that are much cheaper. I can let you know how it works out when I get it.
Before the light tent kit, I made a DIY one just like the one spiritualspatula posted, and got some decent results. I used two desklamps, each fitted with full spectrum (or daylight) bulbs with the largest wattage I could find at Home Depot. The ones I got have a frosted dome over the bulb, so it has some natural diffusion built in, but the baking paper I used on the sides of the box diffused some more. Here are some of the photos I took with this setup, some were with just one light source from the top, a couple others were with two sources on either side.
Ancient Egyptian Boat by Osiris1975, on Flickr
Nuts & Bolts Motorcycle 2 by Osiris1975, on Flickr
Replica Stargate Dagger by Osiris1975, on Flickr
The Chosen One by Osiris1975, on Flickr
Behind Every Great Man... by Osiris1975, on Flickr
I since stopped using the DIY setup just because it is flimsy, but if you were to use sturdier materials, you could probably build something for about $30. If I had the time, I'd have built one, but ordering one just seemed more expedient. |
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 08/15/2025 04:35:45 PM EDT.
