Photography How-to

[Computalotapus]

I drew out what I wanted, and just cut the pieces. Once I had the drawing, I contacted the greenhouse supply company for the connectors - corner pieces are the really hard ones to find locally - a three pipe connector - 90 degree with a vertical for the third pipe. When I expand it to six feet, the back has a couple of extra verticals to help support it without sagging. I bought the pipe clamps to secure a diffuser (white cloth) to the box and I put the colored backdrops inside that. You can see in the photo how the diffuser is pulled back for clarity on the frame. The small box is basically a two foot cube, to enlarge it I can add a two foot "wing" to either side, or both for a six foot box. When enlarged, the two front legs of the two foot box are removed - different connectors required. Hope that helped.

Edit: Nothing is glued, all pieces are press-fit when needed.

I spent about an hour looking at your photo. I think I have an idea on how it all needs to be put together. I gotta find a way to flatten the surface of my table first..maybe screw down a sheet of plexiglass or lexan

[voodoo_man]

Skimmed through the thread, good info.

Once piece I'd like some people who do this to comment on is watermarking an image. I do not seem to bother with it (usually) and even though Stick's watermark is awesome, I do not want to copy his sweet idea, any suggestions?

[Jerry R]

I have started watermarking some of my photos. Not that they are worth stealing, but just to identify the "author". If done subtly, it does not distract from the image. Stick, and some of the other admins and staff are professionals. They need to protect their work. As to suggestions, pick a symbol/name/something that is not only unique, but meaningful in that it reflects on you - recognizable as being yours alone, something from your personal history.

[MoxyDave]

Hey guys, I've been using this setup for a while now. I get decent images, but my camera is old & busted and I could use more light. It's a Canon Digital Rebel that my friend saved - it was waterlogged and he got it working but several features don't work, such as the flash and Live View. I've used it a lot and I think I'm finally to the point where I believe I've exceeded the capabilities of the camera and setup.

I want to create a bigger, better setup to accommodate large items such as a full-length AR15. This will be necessary to post photos for my upcoming Stickman 50K giveaway rifle build.

I also want to do some video work with a green screen, so I need continuous lighting and lots of it.

I have about 150 square feet of space that I can dedicate to a studio. It will be multi-purpose, so it would be nice if everything were easily moveable & stowable so that I could rearrange for various work. I have to do a lot with this limited space, and I only have a couple 15 Amp outlets nearby so power efficiency is also a huge concern.

Should I try to find another, larger self-contained lightbox? Or build a setup myself? What lights would you recommend? Do you use a lighted table? Are specific fabrics important or will bed sheets work?

I'm more interested in feedback about the lightbox and the lighting. I'll upgrade the camera too, but that is a much more personal-preference kind of decision.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

[Stickman]

Are you sure those are the only issues with the waterlogged camera? I'm curious to see some of your pictures from that setup. Maybe you've already posted some and I just missed it?

[MoxyDave]

Yeah it's kind of surprising he was able to recover it, but it seems to work ok for basic shots.

IIRC, most of these were taken with a Canon 35-80 lens.

Here are some examples, both in the lightbox and out:

[UWone77]

Dave,

Your 3D printing models again are excellent. What can't you make?

The photos look pretty good as well. Not bad for a broken camera. Personally, I like the Alien Bee lights. They are cost effective (compared to other professional lights) and I was turned onto them by Roy from Weapon Outfitters. Might want to look into those.

[MoxyDave]

Thanks man! The skull is Lentil's, a French Bulldog born with a cleft palate:

My Name is Lentil on Facebook

We used imagery from a CT scan to create a 3D model, cleaned it up and printed it for his foster mom.

We've been pursuing work in the medical industry in addition to prototyping and other kinds of work. It's pretty amazing stuff.

I will look into the Alien Bee lights. Thanks for the tip!

I brought my camera rig home for the holidaze. I'm going to practice a lot so expect more photos soon

[Jerry R]

Personally, I like the Alien Bee lights. They are cost effective (compared to other professional lights).

I agree. I had been looking at the Bees for awhile. This year, the Wife gave me an early B'day present - a pair of B800's with air-cushioned light stands and umbrellas. I have been shooting with continuous lighting for decades, and I can't believe the difference strobes make. I've only had them a couple of weeks, so I'm still learning, but I really like them.

[MoxyDave]

I found a great series of videos that explains a ton about product photography. These answered so many questions for me! From setting up the camera to advanced post-production there is something here for everyone.

I learned how to use Tethered Shooting (camera attached to computer) with my Canon over the holiday. It makes a WORLD of difference. Now I can get my shots much closer to how I see them in my head with a lot less time and effort

Here's a preview. This is the first of 7 videos:

[DMViergever]

Awesome thread, thanks to UWone77 for pointing it out. The schedule 40 idea is awesome, I built mine out of 2x4s and made it too dang short. The biggest issue I have had is finding paper locally that is wide enough to fill in behind a rifle and shoot angles.


For my full rifle shots I have a white piece of paper on the wall and I shine two 100 watt daylight bulbs on it and one on the rifle. The red circles are on the background the green is on the rifle.


The rifle is hanging about 3 or 4 foot in front of the paper from my rafters by black fishing line that I patch out with Gimp. Here is the results from that shot from above.


For blackgrounds I use a felt cloth that drops down over my paper and then I drop down two windshield shades that I found in the basement to block light from my background. I stapled them together and them stapled them to the rafter directly above the rifle. A light is placed right in front of it facing down on the rifle. I have also started putting one one the ground and using a box covered with a black cloth to direct it up to highlight the features a littke better. Here is the setup and a result picture. The autoshade hasn't been edited out yet so you can see how close I get it.
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The extra light really helps


I use a Canon 60D and use a Macro lens for nearly everything since it is so crisp and has my widest field of view.

I am playing with a new way of getting shadowless photos on a white background also. Hanging them works good for complete rifles but isn't great for accessories.

[MoxyDave]

Thanks for posting your setup DMViergever. I have been thinking along the same lines, suspending a full rifle with floss or fishing line ...

I did some research a while back into LED lights. They work so well for handhelds lights, too bad they suck for photography!

[DMViergever]

Thanks for posting your setup DMViergever. I have been thinking along the same lines, suspending a full rifle with floss or fishing line ...

I did some research a while back into LED lights. They work so well for handhelds lights, too bad they suck for photography!

For lighting I use heat lamps like you would for a chicken coop. I got them at wal-mart for like 10 bucks a piece. The bigger they are the further the bulb sits back in there and the better the light seems to work. As was said above, getting daylight bulbs and the same brand is very important. Some of my 100 watt are the GE brand and others are great value. Great value has a yellow tint where GE has a good clean white. I haven't seen the GE in stock again in a while or I would buy some. I diffuse with thin white cloth or I bought some 10 inch diffusers that have like a hair net sewn on that makes it stay put.

ETA: i might save up for the bee lights.

[Computalotapus]

Well my first attempts at making a lightbox. Need to get some brighter bulbs that is for sure but with some processing afterwards we get a decent picture.... not professional but decent

[UWone77]

You guys are pretty creative on the lighting!