Dear reader, if this entry or my other blog entries don't answer your specific photography questions, you can call me on the phone anytime for advice by clicking here.If you are a photographer who is just starting to get paying clients, but don't have the money to buy strobes (studio flashes), there is a way to get similar results for interior portraits or subject matter when natural light is unavailable.
The only purchase necessary for this technique is a yellow construction light available at any hardware store. They are high powered lights that have their own tripods, and you can often see them being used on construction sites. They are not very expensive, and come in a variety of wattages. Make sure to get the strongest light you can get; 500 watts minimum.
The next item needed is a normal white bedsheet. The sheet doesn't need to be large. At the location of your photo shoot, pin the sheet up with clamps so that the sheet is a bit higher than your subject. Then place your construction lights so that they shine on the bedsheet, in the direction of the subject. The bedsheet acts as a diffuser, and softens the light.
You will find that the amount of softness will change when the placement of the sheet and lights change with relation to the subject. Experiment with these three elements, and you should end up with a nice image. You will probably need a tripod, as the power of the light reduces dramatically as it is diffused, which causes slower shutter speeds.
One final note: As these lights are incandescent, they will produce a yellow/orange color shift in the final photo. To correct for this, use a blue filter if you are using a film camera. If you are using a digital camera, Auto color balance should work, or switch to the indoor light bulb setting.
Mark's photographic prints for your wall can be purchased at
www.markhemmings.com
Title : CHEAP STUDIO LIGHTING
Description : Dear reader, if this entry or my other blog entries don't answer your specific photography questions, you can call me on the phone anyti...