DIY $10 photo studio

[rrobertscv]

I am not a photographer, and this was helpful to me, not only for making nice photos to post here, but also for loading on eBay.

 

$10 Photo Studio

[Got da Penny]

Thanks for the info, I might give it a try. Sounds very interesting.

[ghost]

NIIIICE!!!

Thanks for the heads-up that is some very cool info

 

Charlie

[scooter]

Awesome!!!!!! I think this is exactly what I have been looking for.. Thanks

[CNY Militaria]

Has anyone made it yet? I wouldn't mind seeing some militaria photos using this idea. Next time I am home, I plan to make this box!

[rrobertscv]

I made one tonight, all I could find was white poster board, so you can see the edges at the bottom in the back. I am going shopping on Thur. and find a roll of butcher paper, I think it would do better as far as letting the light filter through. Here are a couple of pics. I took, just messing around. I can tell you, these are great photos, compared to most I take!!

 

 

[DM1975]

I have never made one of these before like this but have used light boxes and light tables before. This seems to be a great, cheap alternative to a light box tho. Butcher paperis probably what I would use as well for the seamless background but the top and sides I would for sure use tissue. Good light diffusion that way. Thanks for the link.

[Guest Cody Grayland]

This would be my photography studio.

[Guest Cody Grayland]

Typical result with my little studio...

[CNY Militaria]

Just poster board? Great idea!

[P-E]

I do exactly the same with my items, and it's always beautiful with white bottom I think !

 

Original pictures with paper sheet

 

and after that I use programs like "paint.net" or "Photoshop CS4" to add white bottom, it looks like this ;

 

 

The only problem, is reflet on lens, but not choice... see by yourself ;

 

 

For that, I've no solution... :thumbdown: :crying:

[VMI88]

For those who don't feel like making there own light box, here is a good deal on a commercial one:

 

http://www.meritline.com/one-shot-photo-st...---p-43483.aspx

 

At the time of this posting it's 39.99 with free shipping, but the company frequently places them on sale for $10 off.

 

Bill

[P-E]

Interesting. There's also some on sale on ebay ($20 buy it now) ;

 

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksi...-All-Categories

 

But problem is that it looks to be small. I think you can only take in picture patches, or helmet, but it's not functionnal for uniform or bigger items.

[Corpsmancollector]

Fantastic advice. Thanks!

[NickD]

just a couple of good deals on ebay

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/80x80x80cm-Photo-Ten...=item4151b467ed

 

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Matin-Product-Photog...=item51931b9954

[NickD]

heres a little something thats very cheap the cut down box cost nothing & the piece of plain white fabric just £2 but it dose the job :thumbsup:

 

[NickD]

[NickD]

[NickD]

[NickD]

[gitana]

This thread has been really helpful as I have no experience in photography. However, I'm finding that the house is now full of those CFL bulbs and everything is so dim. Aside from sunny days outside, what is a good light source I could buy to use as a flash/strobe? And do I have to hook that to the camera, or can I just leave them turned on like a light?

 

Or is purchasing two small clip-on desk lamps with 75 watt incandescent bulbs the way to go?

[BEAST]

This thread has been really helpful as I have no experience in photography. However, I'm finding that the house is now full of those CFL bulbs and everything is so dim. Aside from sunny days outside, what is a good light source I could buy to use as a flash/strobe? And do I have to hook that to the camera, or can I just leave them turned on like a light?

 

Or is purchasing two small clip-on desk lamps with 75 watt incandescent bulbs the way to go?

 

 

I think part of your answer lies in the size of the object that you would like to photograph. If you are looking at photographing medals, then you could use a couple of desklamps. You just have to be able to position them to best illuminate the object. You also can find color corrected light bulbs for this type of fixture. If you are photographing a larger item such as a uniform, I like to use a color corrected painters light similar to those used by house painters. You can find different sizes and it allows you to move the light to reduce the shadows.

 

As far as using a flash, I prefer not to, if possible as it can wash out the detail of the object. However, you can also create your own filter that will allow you to use the flash if necessary. There is thread here on the forum about using gauze or another material to creat the filter. If I can find it, I'll post it.

 

Good luck and look forward to seeing your efforts!

[willysmb44]

My wife bought me an elaborate portable studio system like this for Christmas about 3 years ago. It opens like a tent, comes with portable lights on small tripods, different colored backdrops everything you’d need. It’s sat in the closet right where I put it after looking inside the box and hasn’t moved ever since. It was a nice idea (and I feel bad that she knows I’ve never even tried to set it up once) but the thing would take quite a while to set up and break down and I just don’t need to do that. Usually I take photos of things in the same ways already shown here and it works out just fine. I bring this up because it’s a temptation to get the gee-whiz setups like that, but you need to think about how often you’d use anything like that. Just go to a good camera store and you’ll find plenty of cool gadgets like that for sale from previous owners that never got used. There’s a reason for that.

[M1Marksman]

I throw a white sheet on the sofa, turn on the lamp & open the blinds. For close-up shots, I use the macro setting on my camera & use plenty of light. Costs me nothing.

[stealthytyler]

Diffused light is the way to go. Use anything from silk to bed sheets to wax paper that you cook with. You dont have to have expensive gear to get good photos!