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10/25/2008 01:30:18 PM · #1 |
My first attempt at some off-camera flash lighting. Details on the image
Has anyone converted their empty/open space in to a makeshift studio? I have about 200 ft² in my basement to play with. Show me your setups, tell me what you did and how much you spent. Should I paint everything 18% grey? Brilliant white? Unfortunately, I won't get any natural light. :-(
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10/25/2008 01:51:25 PM · #2 |
yes - I do have a "mini" studio in my basement - room is about 12 x 14 feet... It's too small to do full bodies - but ok for waist up and non-people shots (i.e. macro etc...)
I have a cheap set of two continuous lights with white shoot-through umbrellas - and I have two 500 watt worklights to light up a white background to make it high key...
I've bought several backdrops on e-bay - seller 2dreammaker - once upon a time when I got them they were $0.99 plus shipping! they have minimum buy it now prices though. I have their polyvinyl backdrops in several colors - and keep them rolled up on plumbers long tube to keep the creases out... I got the background stand and lights from them also.
I have a 580 flash for my xti - I just looked into finding a way to have it off camera - but I was told that the Canon option is over $300. I'm wondering what cybersyncs are and if they'd work for me...
I painted my walls a very very light shade of blue. It's just a bit off white with a blue tinge. When I researched it that was what was suggested... I can't remember why now of course. Just make sure to shoot in RAW or adjust your WB to whatever lighting situation you are in (or do a custom WB if you have mixed lighting). I also have a small window in the room - and I covered it completely with sticky shelf liner (we call it mac-tac up here in Canada) to make sure that whatever light may sneak in wouldn't change things...
Diane
www.ddkphotos.com
(I'll try taking a pic of my tiny room and get back to you...) Hope this helps
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10/25/2008 02:03:54 PM · #3 |
That is a shot of what our basement studio looked like a couple months back. It sa bit more messy right now as we are dealing with floor issues. But all of our studio style photos (most every shot in my portfolio and challenge entries with a studio feel) are taken down there. Light setup is 580exIi and a pair of 430ex's with cactus triggers, silver and shoot through white umbrellas and lightstands. Backdrops are black muslin and rolls of white paper. Gels used to tweak background colors. We can do full body shots fairly easily. Let me know if you have any other questions. |
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10/25/2008 02:25:50 PM · #4 |
@ Diane -- the "alien wizards" or CyberSyncs are a radio trigger by Paul C. Buff (of the Alien Bees fame) that should work fine to get your 580EX off-camera. I think you would need a hotshoe adapter, as the 580EX does not have a PC port like the II does. There are a couple of inexpensive options for that at FlashZebra.com. There are even less expensive ways to go, like the E-Bay/Cactus triggers that Tim has mentioned.
@ Timfy -- Awesome! That's exactly the type of "setup" shots I want to see! That backdrop....60", I presume? 72"? Are you holding that up with something DiY? |
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10/25/2008 02:38:43 PM · #5 |
The paper backdrop is 102" wide (Savage Paper from Midwest Photo Exchange - they are local so I can pick it up - same place Strobist pushes). I believe the muslin is pretty close to the same. I am using an ebay bought backdrop stand (3 piece with an extending middle bar). Can't remember the name of the company I bought it from. Cost me around 100 bucks shipped. Not the highest quality but it has worked well for me. My entire setup is very portable.
Message edited by author 2008-10-25 14:39:36. |
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10/25/2008 03:26:13 PM · #6 |
| My studio looks exactly like timfy's, except the cat is replaced with a great dane, and the furnace and pool table create the boundaries of the space instead of walls. Like timfy, I bought the paper locally. It's heavy, and I wouldn't want to pay the shipping. My ceiling is only 74", so my backdrop stand is a 2" pvc pipe and two hooks screwed into the ceiling. The low ceiling height limits me a bit on shooting standing adults, but it's fine for kids, pets, head shots, etc. I have an assortment of ancient Nikon speedlights triggered with cactus triggers, and an assortment of light stands, umbrellas, homemade diffusion panels and such. |
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10/25/2008 10:05:25 PM · #7 |
thanks - I went looking on e-bay and found this - I hope it works!! $30 sure beats $300!
//cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=260304699672 |
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10/25/2008 11:11:59 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by david_c:
I have about 200 ft² in my basement to play with. Show me your setups, tell me what you did and how much you spent. Should I paint everything 18% grey? Brilliant white? Unfortunately, I won't get any natural light. :-( |
With such a small area, the tone of paint you use is very important, because light is going to spill. Go with black if you don't plan to bounce light off the walls. Use something lighter if you plan to bounce the light or use subtractive lighting (i.e. flags). |
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