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03/08/2008 10:06:44 PM · #1 |
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03/08/2008 10:07:39 PM · #2 |
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03/08/2008 10:08:15 PM · #3 |
Fast glass... I know Canon has a very inexpensive 50 1.8 lens. I believe Nikon does too.
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03/08/2008 11:50:54 PM · #4 |
Home Depot is the poor mans lighting source.
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03/09/2008 01:56:43 AM · #5 |
Not having money for any lighting at all, I found that a nice big window can help.
People were impressed with the lighting in a couple of my recent shots (here and here) and they were backlit from outside, with an on-camera flash and the bathroom light on as well.
Definitely doesn't work in all circumstances but it's a thought.
Message edited by author 2008-03-09 03:00:30. |
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03/09/2008 03:21:07 AM · #6 |
As Man_Called_Horse said, buy clamp lamps. Those are lamps with metal half-globes to reflect the light forward and clamps on the back so you can attach them to things.
I own three lamps, each with a 100W-equivalent compact fluorescent bulb. Each lamp cost $5 or so.
Also buy some white posterboard for a reflector.
Total lighting cost: $30 or so. The bulbs are the most expensive part.
Here's a shot where I included the back of one lamp so you can see what I mean:
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03/09/2008 09:53:49 PM · #7 |
| I have one of those clamp lamps and haven't gotten any decent results. Boo. I've also noticed they get VERY hot very quickly. Maybe I'm just using shitty bulbs. |
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03/09/2008 09:58:34 PM · #8 |
Ebay
I know you said NO Money but for $115.99 shipped that is cheap. I can't guarantee it will work though.
Message edited by author 2008-03-09 21:59:28.
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03/09/2008 10:16:22 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by higgledy:
I have one of those clamp lamps and haven't gotten any decent results. Boo. I've also noticed they get VERY hot very quickly. Maybe I'm just using shitty bulbs. |
The "china hats" as we call them in my industry, are good enough for photography. Just experiment a bit more. Use diffusion, netting, different globes, different angles.
As far as the heat is concerned....use the 'on/off' switch to keep it cool until you are ready to shoot. Turn it off when not shooting.
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03/09/2008 10:27:29 PM · #10 |
A fast lens, like the Nikkor 85mm 1.8 (which is a beauty) or the 55mm 1.8, and a large window. Natural light is your friend indoors. It's nothing too spectacular, but for an example of this suggestion, check out the "Interiors" shots here, done with the fast 85mm and natural light in front of a window.
Message edited by author 2008-03-09 22:28:08. |
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03/11/2008 12:54:55 AM · #11 |
As far as the heat is concerned....use the 'on/off' switch to keep it cool until you are ready
But then there's an issue with metering being off if the lighting is off....the constant on/off would just become an annoyance.
Perhaps I'll just get hit up Lowe's for flourescent bulbs and Google various tricks for diffusion.... if I had only hit that 200M$ Powerball the other night we wouldn't be having this conversation. |
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03/11/2008 01:47:26 AM · #12 |
| You might check out shooting with off-camera strobes. The Vivitar 285HV is a nice pick cause Its really cheapfor what you get, and fully manual. Do a google search for the the blog "Strobist". That site will point you in the right direction... and potentially take up all your time. Good luck! |
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03/11/2008 07:30:30 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by higgledy:
But then there's an issue with metering being off if the lighting is off....the constant on/off would just become an annoyance.
Perhaps I'll just get hit up Lowe's for flourescent bulbs... |
Metering before you shoot, after you set up, while your in 'wait mode'.........
What works for all my bosses in my boring industry should work for you, but, what ever.
As for "flo's", contrary to urban myths, flo's get hot over time as well.
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03/11/2008 08:00:59 AM · #14 |
Home depot has 500W work lights that are $15 each. I got two and a 250W work light. The 250W doesn't do much and if you work with it right can probably be your hair or background light. You'd have to adjust the white balance or work with the yellow hue that you sometimes get.
This was a shot taken in a dark room on the lower setting of the lights (it has two settings). I found that the darker you make the surrounding room, the better you lights get. I didn't get the ones that lock together, i got the separate ones, so that I can place them around in different spots. I have better photos taken with them, but i just haven't posted them yet. The more I work with them the better I learn (as with any lights)
Message edited by author 2008-03-11 08:01:46. |
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03/11/2008 08:18:16 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by rex:
Ebay
I know you said NO Money but for $115.99 shipped that is cheap. I can't guarantee it will work though. |
You can get some really good deals on ebay. I have bought items from this seller and so far have been very happy with them. I haven't purchased lights from him yet but that is in the near future. I just checked his store and he also has a 2 light set 550watts for 49.99 plus shipping. If you keep a watch on his store you can sometimes find a 3 light set that includes the two umbrella lights and a back light.
When shopping on ebay just check seller feedback and their return policy. You can also ask any questions before bidding on/buying an item if anything isn't clear in the listing.
Message edited by author 2008-03-11 08:21:48. |
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03/11/2008 08:25:01 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by rbryan22:
Originally posted by rex:
Ebay
I know you said NO Money but for $115.99 shipped that is cheap. I can't guarantee it will work though. |
You can get some really good deals on ebay. I have bought items from this seller and so far have been very happy with them. I haven't purchased lights from him yet but that is in the near future. I just checked his store and he also has a 2 light set 550watts for 49.99 plus shipping. If you keep a watch on his store you can sometimes find a 3 light set that includes the two umbrella lights and a back light.
When shopping on ebay just check seller feedback and their return policy. You can also ask any questions before bidding on/buying an item if anything isn't clear in the listing. |
I saw those but I am not sure about the continuous lighting thing.
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03/11/2008 02:23:26 PM · #17 |
| Ooh thanks cidpilot, the strobist blog looks great. Just bookmarked it. Thanks for the link! |
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03/11/2008 04:24:31 PM · #18 |
I want to go auto racing but can't afford a race car. I guess I'll have to stay home.
You've got to pay to play.
What you'll WANT, and will eventually get if you stay with this as a hobby:
4 600ws monolights (maybe 300ws, but then maybe more than 4).
Various modifiers - softboxes, beauty dishes, grids, gels, etc
flash meter w/ remote trigger
remote triggers for every light and one for the camera.
$3500 should do it.
Can you do it for less? Yeah, BUT it's like cutting all your grass with a pair of scissors, it won't be any fun.
You can find old/used 283 and 285 vivitar flashes on ebay and give the strobist idea a try, and for somethings it will work fine. They are about 50Ws of output each.
You can give hot lights a try. The newest take on that is something like a Spiderlite - compact daylight flourescent bulbs in a fitting that lets you use modifiers. It's not as hot as a 'hot light' (halogen work light) but it still is way down on power compared to a strobe. It won't stop action.
If you spend the money on canon 580 / nikon SB800 you get more features, more light, etc but you'll spend more money - more than some studio strobes cost!
Budget idea?
Stellar Kit
Radio Trigger Pocket Wizards are the way to go, but this should work.
Sekonic L358 meter THE meter to get unless you have tons of money then get their 958 model.
Spend more up front and just buy once. Your creative side will thank you with every image you make.
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03/11/2008 04:34:04 PM · #19 |
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
I want to go auto racing but can't afford a race car. I guess I'll have to stay home.
You've got to pay to play.
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Someone asks nicely for suggestions on cheap lighting and you come with this smart ass remark. I am half tempted to buy some cheap lights just to show you how wrong you are.
Message edited by author 2008-03-11 16:49:22.
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03/11/2008 04:37:44 PM · #20 |
www.strobist.com
a very good resource |
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03/11/2008 04:49:17 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by Man_Called_Horse:
Home Depot is the poor mans lighting source. |
I had to dig but I found a link that references this.
DIY lighting
This article also references the color cast you get with the shop lights and how to correct it. (With bulbs not in post!)
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03/11/2008 04:54:46 PM · #22 |
okay here a few suggestion that have worked out really well.
Desk lamps that you can move the stem on,
different wattage bulbs work well,
you can get blackcardboard and make tunnels for them too.
Panty hose makes great filters and come in many colours
Milk jugs make good softboxes
Flash lights are great too, use them all the time for LightPainting
tissue boxes and tissues make good softboxes and you can make them as small or as large as you want
I mean any type of lamp works or lamp stand and you can drape netting or tissue or whatever you want,
I have a whole collection of weird light set ups that I use for light painting
I can post some pics of them if you want some more ideas
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03/11/2008 04:57:11 PM · #23 |
Yeah that was pretty snarky Prof
Anyways, Alos adding, I bought a cheap set of complete lights I think for about 400 off ebay. My figuring was that start of cheap and practise adn when I get better replace what I want with better stuff. he light set is really good (help if it had instructions though lol) |
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03/11/2008 04:57:14 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by higgledy:
I have one of those clamp lamps and haven't gotten any decent results. Boo. I've also noticed they get VERY hot very quickly. Maybe I'm just using shitty bulbs. |
Um, beggers can't be choosers.
Go with the strobists or spend your wad on lights. |
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03/11/2008 04:57:47 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
I want to go auto racing but can't afford a race car. I guess I'll have to stay home.
You've got to pay to play. |
If you want to compete in the big buck race circuits, yes, but as stated in the subject line, no $$
Your statement was rather rude imo.
Creativity and budgets often yield amazing results, and one can still "play" without having to "pay".
A camera's pop-up flash can have decent results with a high-dollar modifier such as a ping pong ball.
Dual flashes with softboxes operated manually under different power levels via trigger.
Even a silver dashboard cover can be used to reflect and soften lighting.
Shop worklights can even do well, but a custom white balance will or should be used, as most of these are no where near daylight corrected.
I'm not an expert on studio lighting, but I often see so many portrait shots that seem so sterile due to the "perfect" lighting setups - bleh! A little bit of shadow play and imperfection can add so much. Even bumpinig ISO or shooting 2nd shutter fill flash can be an approach to either brighten or diminish backgrounds.
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