Photography on the Cheap

CLiPiCs
Author: CLiPiCs
Word Count: 472
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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

Lights

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 !

Reflectors

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,

Suitcase

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 !

Ready to Roll

Grand Total £81:00

Photography on the cheap !

Love ‘N’ Laughter Kriss

  • janniev

    janniev

    Love your ideas, Chris. I learnt about the silver reflector at a camera club meeting last year. I’d though about using the large worklights on tripods but hadn’t bought any because the light isn’t “natural” enough – I didn’t know you could get halogen globes for them. I’ll have to look into that.

    I recently bought a largish sheet of craft wood (I forget what it’s called), a can of (black) spray paint, some brackets, and made my own back drop. I finally got to use it last week – it’s in those “Scentimental” pics of mine.

    Thanks for the rest of the info, it may be handy in the future – I just have to remember you wrote it!

  • CLiPiCs replied

    Thanks Jannie I wish it had been my idea, but I am very grateful to the guy who thought of it

    Blackboard paint is good for a backdrop as it absorbs light !

    I have another thing I am gonna post later which might come in handy for your “Scentimental” type pics !

    although I must say there doesn’t appear to be any light bounced from your backdrop !

    Love ‘N’ Laughter Kriss

  • janniev

    janniev

    I have to admit that I ‘shopped all the Scentimental pics as the black didn’t come up very black. It’s not Blackboard paint but it is a matt paint, I was pretty much “forced’ to make it as I have very large windows all around my kitchen table which is where I shoot most of my indoor pics, and the light is quite a problem. Also, many things look better against a black background. I’m going to have fun using it, though, even if I get very frustrated when my lack of knowledge and skill mean I don’t get the pic I’m after. Cheers, Jan.

  • CLiPiCs replied

    You can use a big cardboard box, with flaps cut into the sides and top, so you can control how the light gets in,

    shoot from the open end,

    paint the inside black,

    you can cover the flaps with muslin or something similar when they are open so the light gets diffused,

    and you can use the flash on any of the flapholes too

    dammitt there goes the next post LOL !

    Love ‘N’ Laughter Kriss

  • artisticphoto

    artisticphoto

    Great job Kriss! I have one of those 500watt halogen lights too! Haw, they about make me go blind! Happy shooting!

  • CLiPiCs replied

    Ha Ha I found out about bouncing it off the ceiling at first coz I couldn’t see straight for a week !

    but I also hang the backdrops in front of them now, it diffuses the light really well, and I can instantly change the light colour too LOL

    empty plastic Milk cartons / Bottles are good for diffusers too,

    cut a piece big enough to cover the lens and tape it on,

    just remember to keep an eye on it though Melted plastic on the floor is a bugger to get off !

    Love ‘N’ Laughter Kriss

  • artisticphoto

    artisticphoto

    http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96157
    I just bought this a couple weeks ago for portable power. In case you ever want to do that. And yes, melted plastic is a total bitch!!

  • CLiPiCs replied

    Dunno about that, £63:12,at today’s exchange rate fffffff, bit steep !

    LOL

    HarbourFreight

    nice looking piece of kit, come in handy in some places I go !

    I found one over here YAY

    Maplins

    and it’s dearer LOL

  • CLiPiCs

    CLiPiCs

    Looks like I will be raiding the piggy bank then :-)

    Love ‘N’ Laughter Kriss

  • DoreenPhillips

    DoreenPhillips

    Ive got an Old over the Pub Sign Light…..somewhere?...Thanks for this Kriss…...I wonder if the publican ever noticed?????................heeheehee…Only Kidding….It was old stock from there Cellars …...............x

  • CLiPiCs replied

    I love those old lights, their great

    You’re welcome I’m just paying it forward,

    Love ‘N’ Laughter Kriss

  • Isa Rodriguez

    Isa Rodriguez

    way to go brokie…......

    i like..

  • CLiPiCs replied

    pretty cool and as RL’s Guitar proves

    it works !

    thanks Hunny

    Love ‘N’ Laughter Kriss

  • lallymac

    lallymac

    This is exactly what I was looking for!!!!

    THank you:)

  • CLiPiCs replied

    you’re welcome Lally, why spend all that money I say :-)

    Love ‘N’ Laughter Kriss

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