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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Lighting and backgrounds
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10/24/2002 11:03:36 AM · #1
One of the problems with my challenge entries at the moment is when I decide to come in from the cold and setup a shot for my camera inside - a studio shot if you like.

I've not yet invested in lights and backgrounds and was wondering what sort of thing other people use.

At the moment, if I want a black background I use my long black coat, if I want a white background I use bed linen or a dry wipe/erase board. The only lighting I use is things like desk lamps which I have around the house anyway.

Any suggestions for any alternatives?

Thanks,

Tim
10/24/2002 11:16:27 AM · #2
You could borrow my black dress that I use for my black backgrounds, Or my brown felt left over from making my son a costume for the Ren Faire.
I'm using a desk light too, and at the moment take all my shots near a window since conditions stink outside.
I've heard to buy those large posterboards and put them curved inside a box, and then at Home Depot (or any home/hardware) to get one of those halogen lights with either a stand (which is more expensive) or with a clippy thing (which is around $10).
I haven't been able to do anything like that yet. Maybe if I get my "high tech" camera for my bday, I might invest in some "high tech" studio. (posterboard and a shop light).
LOL.
~Heather~
10/24/2002 11:17:17 AM · #3
If you have a Walmart near you, venture into their fabric department. (probably a department you don't visit much!)
They ususally have a table of fabrics that are $1.00 per yard. I have bought both black and white fabric there that make terrific backgrounds. Choose the thickest you can find. Sometimes things behind the background will show through the thinner fabric. Also, choose ones that don't seem to have any reflective quality (shiney looking threads, etc.) Usually these fabrics are wide, (60 in.) and if you feel like spending the big bucks ($5) you can buy five yards. 15 feet will allow some room to go from high on the wall and extend to the floor so your subjects can stand or sit on it. Of, course if you just need background for objects, one yard will ususally do it. But bed sheets work great, too! I bought some reflector lights from Home Depot. They have a silver round reflector and the bulb screws in the middle of that. They have a clamp so you can clamp them on just about anything. Then they rotate in any direction from the clamp. Nifty little items and inexpensive. About six bucks for the 8 inch ones I bought, but I would buy bigger ones if I had it to do again. Hope this has helped.
Marsha
10/24/2002 11:23:53 AM · #4
Poster board! All colors of the rainbow and very inexpensive. You'll see my yellow and white boards in my Fruit & Vegi and Deady Sins challenge submissions.
10/24/2002 11:27:34 AM · #5
Walmart fabric man myself. Works great. Sometimes I will use posterboard also. Cheap and lots of colors to choose from. For lights, I use a 100 Watt regular household bulb with a clamp on aluminum reflector housing found at Home Depot. I have a small studio light set that I bought also. Comes with 2 stands, 1 white umbrella, and 2 aluminum reflector housings that the bulbs go in. Cost was about 110 dollars. Bulbs were not included, but I bought 2-500 watt photoflood bulbs ( they have a normal screw in base like a regular lightbulb ) for like 6 bucks each.
10/24/2002 12:43:17 PM · #6
For macros, Ive made an array of white LEDs, they cost couple of quid each, so costs can quickly mount up. I also made a sort of ring flash from 16 LEDs and an old CD, but I snapped the CD, so I'll have to start again with a less fragile material.

Ive recently been trying out a 100watt daylight bulb in a standard lamp holder. Seems OK, very cheap, but I doubt it will be that useful for portraits, they seem to need the professional lights.

The guy at //www.photoprojects.net/ makes his own lightboxes and whatnot if you are into that sort of thing.
10/24/2002 01:15:26 PM · #7
walmart fabrics rock.

joanns fabric sells bleached and unbleached muslin up to 12' feet wide for like 3 bucks a yard.

dollar king has different color plastic matte finish tablecloths that make great backgrounds. For only a DOLLAR!

Desklamps with goosenecks that can be pointed are good. shine one light on the background and one on the subject for that 'pro' look. make sure your subject is far enough away from the bg that light spill isnt a problem.

use kleenex or white paper over your light source to diffuse it. or point it at a piece of white posterboard right next to it and bounce that light on the subject for even more diffusion (fewer shadows).


10/24/2002 04:29:23 PM · #8
That is so funny, mag. I can't see you shopping at any of these stores. :)

Originally posted by magnetic9999:
walmart fabrics rock.

joanns fabric sells bleached and unbleached muslin up to 12' feet wide for like 3 bucks a yard.

dollar king has different color plastic matte finish tablecloths that make great backgrounds. For only a DOLLAR!

Desklamps with goosenecks that can be pointed are good. shine one light on the background and one on the subject for that 'pro' look. make sure your subject is far enough away from the bg that light spill isnt a problem.

use kleenex or white paper over your light source to diffuse it. or point it at a piece of white posterboard right next to it and bounce that light on the subject for even more diffusion (fewer shadows).




10/24/2002 04:32:35 PM · #9
I use velvet fabrics (black and red, cost me about Canadian$20 for a huge amount of "seconds" at a discount fabric store) and wonderfully cheap Home Depot work lights (about Canadian $30)


* This message has been edited by the author on 10/24/2002 4:30:29 PM.
10/25/2002 03:07:56 AM · #10
Thank you very much everybody for your help.

I think the first thing will be to look for various offcuts of fabric.

I put a 100W household bulb in my desk lamp last night. It started getting a bit warm and smelling cooked after a while, the maximum recommended was 40W but I got the shot I wanted!!! ;-)

Thanks again.

Tim
10/25/2002 08:00:37 AM · #11
ahhh welll ... see? that's my unpredictability for you ; ) ... He zigs, he zags, he shoots, he scores!

But seriously, a) members of my family have always been arts and craftsy, so I've been going to Michael's and various fabric stores since I was small.

and maybe more importantly, b) my wife is a middle school teacher :).


Originally posted by Sonifo:
That is so funny, mag. I can't see you shopping at any of these stores. :)

Originally posted by magnetic9999:
[i]walmart fabrics rock.

joanns fabric sells bleached and unbleached muslin up to 12' feet wide for like 3 bucks a yard.

dollar king has different color plastic matte finish tablecloths that make great backgrounds. For only a DOLLAR!

Desklamps with goosenecks that can be pointed are good. shine one light on the background and one on the subject for that 'pro' look. make sure your subject is far enough away from the bg that light spill isnt a problem.

use kleenex or white paper over your light source to diffuse it. or point it at a piece of white posterboard right next to it and bounce that light on the subject for even more diffusion (fewer shadows).




[/i]


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