Photography on the Cheap !
OK so I didn’t think of this, but I’m damned if I can find the link to where I first read about it, so all credit to the guy who thought of it, I’m just paying it forward
if I do find the link again, I will post it here and name the guy who came up with this genius idea
Studio lights are bloody expensive !
so to do it on the cheap, I went to ScrewFix we all have these general cheap DIY Stores in our towns, and I purchased Two of the larger Tripod Sitelights, and two of the little ground level sitelights
the good thing about these is that they came with 500Watt lights as standard, but you can buy different wattages down to 100, and in some places you can also purchase halogen “Daylight” bulbs that will fit them,
the only downside, they get bloody hot if you have them on for a while, so packing away needs to involve a coffe, a ciggie, or maybe a pint !
total cost £50:00 !
not bad Eh ?
so here is my setup as it stands
Staying on the cheap, we all have “PoundShops” in our towns as well, or whatever they are called in your part of the world, you know the place I mean though, usually you buy something there and it lasts a week, a month if you’re lucky !
Cheap Umbrella with Silver lining, and a Windscreen shade, Green one side, and silver the other Total Cost £6:00 ! again not bad eh !
I cut the Windscreen shade in half, although for a quid I guess buy another !
I also bought a bunch of clamps for holding the Marquee sides up on available nails ETC. another Quid ! the three marquees were bought for a street party and I am the keeper of said marquees, so £0:00 !
plus for £4:00 I bought a set of Chiffon type curtains from Ikea for women to look wonderful draped in
So how mobile is this setup ?
Very, the most expensive Single Item of the lot, TKmaxx, one suitcase, £20:00
All of it fits inside, the two trripod lights, the two little ones, the clamps, the curtains, the Marquee sides, the umbrella,
and to show the size of the Case, I had to find something to give it some perspective, Oooh look ! there’s that hat again !
Grand Total £81:00
Photography on the cheap !
Love ‘N’ Laughter Kriss
Tony Lin
Halogen lights are a cheap way of lighting IF you are aware that bricks such as these are not very directional. The next step up is to use a “Red Head” type light that has a grid and usually a barn door to assist in directionality. The typical Red Head clone is about $100AU with the originals priced between $400-800AU.
Halogen lighting (and continuous lighting by extension) is my favorite form of lighting artistic nude. The only downside is the heat generated by this type of lighting.
CLiPiCs replied
you are right Tony and the limitations are there,
but then half the fun is in overcoming the problems !
the heat just means I had to have a ciggie and a coffee before I could put the lights back in the case
now I have to go google “Red Head” I better put light after that,
no telling what I’ll get otherwise :-)
thanks for commenting, I Really appreciate it
Love ‘N’ Laughter Kriss ♥
kimangeline
great tips – was just talking about how to get some decent lighting going for not too expensive! thanks!
CLiPiCs replied
Thank you
just glad I was able to pass this on, and hopefully have it be of some use
Love ‘N’ Laughter Kriss ♥
Rob Toombs
This is fantastic information.. Lighting is expensive.. My first portable studio was only little and yet still cost over £250… This is good information for people to gain reasonable cool lighting for a lot less than the pro equipment.. Thank you for the input.. :)
CLiPiCs replied
you are more than welcome Rob
not only cheap but a good grounding for people getting to grips with lighting in the first place too
thank you mate
Love ‘N’ Laughter Kriss ♥
Cathleen Taraw... 2 days ago
Brilliant, thanks for sharing this Kriss.
CLiPiCs replied 2 days ago
you are more than welcome Cathleen
I have a couple of other journals on a similar theme too
anything that makes life easier for an old cheapskate like me :-)
actually I’m just broke-ass, but don’t tell anyone :-)
Love ‘N’ Laughter Kriss ♥
Cathleen Taraw... 2 days ago
Works for me :)