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01-02-2011, 02:29 AM | #1 |
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Flint, MI
Posts: 3,351
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So I wanted to get some ideas on cheap lighting options for pics.
Right now, I'm just using some old studio lamps that have limited options for placement. I've messed with the settings for my camera and this sample shot is the best mix of detail and lighting. If I set to get a little more intensity in the highlights, I lose details. I'm wondering if anyone has any tips on some cheap lights or techniques to help bring a little more professional quality in the photos. |
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01-02-2011, 02:32 AM | #2 |
tht 1 guy with a mustache
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: madison
Posts: 12,914
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well for me i have a lamp w/ 5 heads
but use lighting behind camera facing the figure |
01-02-2011, 03:50 AM | #3 |
Crimson Guard
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: virginia
Posts: 1,037
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cheap and easy to find
I' found these were the best for shooting video and great for photograghy, come in colors But you can also take a trip to a craft store and make your own filters. sunlight in really good as well and free/ halogen bulbs Last edited by helrod; 03-19-2013 at 04:30 AM.. |
01-02-2011, 04:05 AM | #4 |
Czech Sniper
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: So. FL
Posts: 4,075
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Two biggest things I see most people doing is NOT using the macro setting (for up close pictures) and NOT trying to take some shots turning OFF the auto flash feature on some of the auto / digital cameras on a lot of the photos we see here.
I'm no expert myself, but I found playing w/ these features and a simple desk / art style lamp greatly helped some of my shots of figures / up close details. HTH .
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01-02-2011, 05:18 AM | #5 |
*STAFF EDIT*
Join Date: May 2009
Location: COBRA MOUNTAIN
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It depends on your camera but on mine (nikon d300) my flash settings can be turned up or down .... Also as far as lighting the lamps are great you just have to position them better .... Click my photography links underneath .. I'm no pro by any means just love taking pictures
From the looks of you're photo it seems you only lighting one side i use three on mine sometimes ....Try this out or google home made light box http://www.flickr.com/photos/danmuntz/3208684497/
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01-02-2011, 07:17 AM | #6 |
Multicam soldier
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Bergen, Norway
Posts: 1,648
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The f stops on your camera can make or break pictures in low light.
The lower the better really, but you need depth as well, you really have to experiment. I use normally somewhere between 3-7 small light sources instead of using larger ones like studio lamps. Basically they are small LED lights in various colors made for keychains, normally used to find the car key hole at night - they are cheap and very effective. When using this method you have to play around with the white balance as well, more pre-planning and production then post production really. here are examples of some of my low light shots using this method: JoeDios - JoeDios Dioramas, Photos, collections, Reviews & Files - My Ultimate Snake Eyes JoeDios - JoeDios Dioramas, Photos, collections, Reviews & Files - Ghost exfiltrating JoeDios - JoeDios Dioramas, Photos, collections, Reviews & Files - The more things change, the more they remain the same JoeDios - JoeDios Dioramas, Photos, collections, Reviews & Files - Surrounded JoeDios - JoeDios Dioramas, Photos, collections, Reviews & Files - Resolute Destro in Equilbrium on the battle field JoeDios - JoeDios Dioramas, Photos, collections, Reviews & Files - HDR Helix JoeDios - JoeDios Dioramas, Photos, collections, Reviews & Files - Pursuit of Cobra - Ambush! ------------- edited: I jumped the guns a bit quick - what you really need is just bright lights - cheap LED's should work just fine, the brighter the better really. What you want is to eliminate shadow, so basically the more light the better Last edited by haradrel; 01-02-2011 at 08:33 AM.. |
01-02-2011, 11:05 PM | #7 |
Self explanatory
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: NJ
Posts: 914
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Do you have anything in front of the lights to diffuse the intensity? I have a small lightbox that I bought on ebay that has the sides made of a semi-translucent material that lets the light shine through but cuts down on the glare off the figure. I use three lights for my photos - one on each side (left/right) and then one above. Using the lightbox diffuses the light enough to remove the glare but let the light shine on perfectly.
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01-16-2011, 06:45 PM | #8 |
Hisstank.Com General
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Lafayette La
Posts: 8,741
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I just recently started taking pictures of my toys. I'm more used to shooting outdoors. These tips are very helpful. I really like that light box, Colorsoner. I was thinking of building one out of PVC, but cardboard box is ingenious. Plus I have a ton of them lying around since I recently moved.
I can't wait to buy a new camera. I old one suffered a snow boarding accident while trying to get some mountain top shots in Alaska. Alas, I did not account for how steep they grow their mountains in the Great White North. Now I just have a little HP point and shooter. Some day soon I will have a new dSLR. |
01-16-2011, 07:01 PM | #9 |
Multicam soldier
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Bergen, Norway
Posts: 1,648
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Quote:
So I wanted to get some ideas on cheap lighting options for pics.
If I set to get a little more intensity in the highlights, I lose details. I'm wondering if anyone has any tips on some cheap lights or techniques to help bring a little more professional quality in the photos. I recommend Photoshop but there are cheaper options out there of course. In photoshop you can lighten the picture or darken it as long as it's taken in an okay light - as well as color correct the contrast to get what you originally wanted or closer to the real thing (if your camera has a tendency to weaken colors with weak lighting for example, or the picture turns blue/redish (which is really a whitebalance problem, but can be fixed just as easily) For the lights any cheap flashlight will actually do - LED lights are better as they give a more pure white light. |
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