Hey guys,
I have a couple photo shoots coming up this coming week (if the models show up, we know how that works, LOL). My lighting is on the cheap, I got a set of those 500 watt work lamps from Lowes. First off, I need a way to defuse the light from those, yet not start a fire. Second, I have a SB600 for my Nikon D50, Im thinking bouncing that, but I do not have white, the ceiling is white though. I was thinking (after reading the post on cheap lighting on another site) about buying a white shower curtin and hanging it up, but im afraid of what these girls will think. I was thinking for a backdrop, buying a satin sheet (or satin look alike) and hanging that from the wall, but as of now, I cant find one that I can afford, but I did get what I think is a over sized white something, at the goodwill for 1.50, and it looks like it would be good for plain backgrounds. These girls will be posing for casual and semi nude shots, lingerie. HELP.
For your background, I went to Walmart and found a Curtain rod that expands 72-84in. for about $10. Then I went to a fabric store and got 10yds of Muslin for about $40. I also have the work 500Watt work lights. I think once I had a good background light I will be okay. I'll add a couple of portraits when I get home from work and my studio set up so you can see what I have. (shh..don't tell my boss that I'm not really changing the screen every five seconds..I'm just pressing the update button).
As for diffusing the lights...I haven't quite figured that out yet...I've heard the idea of using a Milk jug and cutting off the bottom to create a soft light. Or change the lighting settings in your camera.
Remember that you can diffuse the shop lights by bouncing off something as well as shining through. In a narrow studio it can be handy to bounce off a wall rather than through a curtain. A mylar emergency blanket, a mylar coated car window shade, or flat white something can be attached to the wall so you don't lose as much light.
If you are short on time, the muslin recommended early in the thread is probably your best approach. Iron it, make a nice curve at the floor and then bring forward under your model. Nothing looks worse than a wrinkled bedsheet on the wall and an ugly line where the backdrop and floor meet.
i went to the goodwill and got a white something, not sure what it was, but it was really large, and pure white. It was a buck and a half. Now I need ot see what else I can come up with, my budget is slim and none, LOL.
Just wondering, would the color of the surface which you are bouncing light off even matter if you shoot in RAW? (since you can temperature/white balance correct on it)
