Photo Cube arrived today

[PIXI_666]

Hi everyone

My photo cube arrived today, its a 60x60, i decided to get something medium sized (It was in my price range lol!)
I haven't tried it yet, but just checking on a few things, i need to get 2 table top lights on tripods, or 2 lights with clamps.
Firstly...

Any suggestions on these? (Im in Australia i cant find much here! So ebay is the ticket generally!)
Brand/Type of bulb etc.

Secondly...

I was told it be best to have a blue filter in because this gets rid of orange and yellow tinges? I didn't wnt to sound stupid and ask WHERE do i put the filter? Because i thought a blue filter over my lens wouldn't work, then i thought, a blue lens over the LIGHTS...i could use cellophane but wouldn't these melt? is there such a thing that you can get over lights??

Any points in the right direction would be FABULOUS :)

Thanks

Del

[PhotosGuy]

I was told it be best to have a blue filter in because this gets rid of orange and yellow tinges? A custom white balance will do the job. The person who told you that is stuck in the dark ages of film shooting.
Take a look in your local hardware store for quartz work lights, & read up in the Lighting forum.

[rcanzano]

Yep, what PhotoGuy said. Your hardware store may even have lights on stands.

I found this one at: doityourself.com/shop/worklights.htm

[rcanzano]

So I see you DID get your photo studio after all. Sure it's only 60 x 60, but it's a start. You could do Glamour Shots of Garden Gnomes

[rcanzano]

And the after about 430 more post you could do Glamour and Nude Gnomes

[cdifoto]

My bro in law and I delivered to that website's warehouse once. It was pretty small. I asked 'em if they had a bigger place somewhere and they said nope this is it.

Anywho...sexy photos there rcanzano... :lol:

[rcanzano]

Oh gosh, thanks . . but I didn't take them. Just found them on the internet with "Gnome" search

[brivett]

Be carefull of hot halogen lights near inflamable nylon light tents.... Lot's of eBay sellers show close continuous light setups that would bust into flames in five minutes.

We sell them but would always recommend them being best for use with flash.....

Either way, providing ALL the light sources used have similar bulbs, you can use custom white balance to correct for saving money on bulbs and filters...

[MazerRakhm]

And the after about 430 more post you could do Glamour and Nude Gnomes


:shock:
Woa... Those gnomes are sweet! I wonder where I can get a set....

[rcanzano]

Yes, be careful not to put a 500w halogen too close to your new cube. You don't want your gnomes to get charred!

I imagine you might be able to get away with 250w photo bulbs. A little bit cooler, but still hot enough you'd want to be careful. Maybe put them in a clamp on light reflector attached to a couple of chairs or something. These should also be at your local hardware depot.

[Desertraptor]

Whoever took the shots of the gnomes seem to have blown their.. umm... bottoms :o

[PIXI_666]

Hi Everyone

Thanks for all the info! As usual you have all done a great job in pointing me in the right direction!
mmm nice gnomes haha...my hubby for some reason LIKES gnomes, but i try to avoid buying them, he has snuck 3 home at the moment, nothing worth photographing though, they disgust me hahaha!

OK so custom white balance!
I have flood lights at home, but in a very small room with bright lights blarring on the subject, it get's VERY hot in there, and with a small flamable cube i imagine it would be dangerous lol

Ill look into it a bit more i guess, i just got a quote from a guy on ebay selling 2 table top lights, i'll checke their wattage though incase they have a tendency to burn to smitherines hahaha!

Thanks again ;)

Del

[PIXI_666]

The lights im looking at are as follows:

Professional Light Set

Energy Saving Pure White 5100k Bulbs

The 22W (100W Equivalent) 10000 hours Energy Saving 5100K 240V Perfect Daylight Bulbs provide a wonderful white light for excellent color matching

No need for filters or software editing (the color of the image closely resembles the color of the original item)

Foldable Light Stands - Max Height: 24" (60cm); Min Height: 13" (33cm)

Leg Spread Diameter: 12" (30cm)

Weight: 2 x 700g (including stands)

Sound good??????

Del

[redbutt]

i could use cellophane but wouldn't these melt? is there such a thing that you can get over lights??

Yes, cellophane would probably melt. But, check with a local theatre supply store and purchase "gels". These are designed to be used with the high heat of theatre lights. They come in all sorts of colors.

[rcanzano]

"Cool lights" I think they're called. Maybe not, but I think so. They are basically, I believe, flourescent lights set to a temperature. I imagine you would still need to custom white balance, but that really isn't a big deal, takes all of 20 seconds. That certainly would keep things cooler. There's a guy here somewhere that mounted four of these bulbs in what looks like a metal mixing bowl for the reflector.

What price are they asking for this? Do you have a link? You could probably put the lighting portion of this together, not including the stands, for something like $20-$30 from the hardware store.

[PIXI_666]

He is charging AU$175

too steep???

[rcanzano]

Do you have a link so I can see what is included with a picture hopefully

[PIXI_666]

Umm...yes i do but he was going to put the lights on there seperately rather than the lights PLUS the cube!

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7577879148&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

[PIXI_666]

But now im thinking its too expensive...$175 for just the lights, but $182 for lights and cube? Maybe ill haggle him down hahaha

[rcanzano]

The stands and all will make it "tidy". However, you can get those bulbs at the hardware store for about $8. They are a standard screw in type that go into any regular socket. You can get clamp on fixtures for $5-$10 each. Or you can use a desk lamp for that matter. So yeah, for that I would say it seems a bit expensive.

[rcanzano]

Of course I realize now as I say "regular socket" and quote US Dollars. I'm not sure of "regular" or $$$ conversions in your part of the world.

[PIXI_666]

hahaha....ok how about i go look at the hardware store tomorrow and let you know what i found? I have no idea what bulbs to get though ??? ill go back to that link and see what he has written down...
I usually do a conversion of $US & $AU by adding just over a 1/4 more dollars to the $AU
eg: $5 AU i typically round it off to $7 US?

It used to be double AU dollars once...UK is whayt gets me...they are triple our dollars!! eeeek

Del

[PIXI_666]

rcanzano...what should i ask for at the shop? lol i dont wanna walk in there and go "I want a bulb....but i dunno which one..." then walk out with 4 i didn't need hahaha!

[PIXI_666]

OK i found on ebay the following...

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/x10-20W-SAVING-ENERGY-LIGHT-BULB-FLUORESCENT-GLOBES_W0QQitemZ4430884988QQcategoryZ20706QQrdZ1QQ cmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/x10-20W-SAVING-ENERGY-LIGHT-BULB-FLUORESCENT-GLOBES_W0QQitemZ4430884991QQcategoryZ20706QQrdZ1QQ cmdZViewItem

[DavidEB]

I use $10 table-top lights from Staples. standard incandescent bulbs, 60watts each. On a bright day I just use ambient light. If your lights aren't bright, you don't get as much heat. Just means a slower shutter speed, but that's what tripods are for.

[rcanzano]

Those bulbs look ok I guess, but there is another thread going that talks about flourescent lights pulsing and changing temp.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=125780&goto=newpost

Perhaps specific photo bulbs wouldn't do that.

What David said is also correct. A standard bulb could do the trick in a desk lamp. In the cube you're going to be on a tripod anyway.

I really would just start by going to anyplace that sells inexpensive desk lamps and put regular ol' light bulbs in them. Make sure they can handle at least 60w, but you might want the option of going up to 100w. Also, maybe get 3 of them since overall they won't be super bright.

Give em' a try. Take some shots. Don't forget to set the custom white balance. If it doesn't work out, no biggie, just return the stuff to the store where you bought them, and you'll have a better idea of what you'll need if it doesn't work. This way it saves you from ordering, shipping, spending alot, repacking, and returning if you don't like it.

Shooting in a cube is a very controlled situation. You can take your time to get the exposures just right and set shutter speads at whatever works best.

I can't wait to see what you come up with and the shots that you get from it.

(speaking of "can't wait" the guys are here building my studio as I type this!)

[PIXI_666]

Good idea! Thanks!

I will go to the hardware store today and ask for 100w bulbs or anything close to that, ill get 3 so i can light it up from all angles, and im sure my mum has some spare lamps she can lend me haha

(It sucks being in a town with only 1 strip of shops...very limited buying here unfortunately!)

Ill play aroudn with it this weekend and see what i can coem up with, thanks for all your help guys it's much appreciated!!

AHH! How awesome, i bet you can't wait till it's all set up and you can start moving things in and using it! Cant wait to see your studio all done :) (Might give me some ideas for my own haha) i have the room (OR ROOMS! a 5 bedroom house for 2 people is a lot of room lol), just too scared to start!!!

Let you know how i go with the cube :)

Del :P

[rcanzano]

See this thread . . .

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=125991

[rcanzano]

The Studio - Well, they built the floor too small by two feet on accident. It took them 2 1/2 hours to get that far, then they had to tear it all down and start over. Then it got too windy and dark for them to keep going, so for now I only have a floor and four walls. Hope it doesn't rain tonight. They'll be back tomorrow.

[rcanzano]

inside . . .

[PIXI_666]

Thanks for that thread - interesting! Ill read it more later :)
Your studio is coming along really well!!! Can't wait to see some photo's you have produced in your new studio when it's up and running!!!

Del

[mjordan]

There is one obvious difference between a regular household bulb and a photo bulb... A regular househould bulb will usually not have a even frosted or white coating and there is usually the bulb information printed at the place ont he bulb that is pointed towards your subject. This printed information can cause shadows because it is so close to the light source. A photo bulb will have a even coating and won't have printed information, text or logos on the glass part.

Something not so obvious is that a photo bulb will have a more even glow while a regular household bulb will have hotspots or uneven lighting. Even the cool floresent lights that have the twisted tubes do not light evenly. They can be brighter at the base of the bulb than out at the ends... although they do get better after being on for awhile.

When you look at the bulbs, look at the glass coating and go for one that is evening coated or at least even on the end or side that will be facing towards your subject. I use to buy bulbs that looked like big white globes. The light from them was fairly even and some of the globes were bigger than a lightbulb so produced a bit larger light source.

Mike

[PIXI_666]

Thanks Mike - great information! I'll think about that when im looking :)

[DavidEB]

Mike -- I'm using the regular household bulb outside a light tent, as Pixi is going to do. The fabric of the light tent diffuses out all the issues you mention.

by the way, my light tent is a frame made of PVC pipe covered by a white sheet.

[am_pitbull_terrier]

Sweet, It looks to be coming along nicely :)

[mjordan]

David, yes, it is possible that the nylon material will diffuse the lights enough to hide the shadow created by the bulb. But when I use my light tent, I also shoot light in through the open front for fill and front highlights as well as the sides, top, back and bottom (not necessarily all at the same time :D). But, the case of a bulb not lighting evenly is a bigger problem.

I rarely use hot lights anymore. I have monolights. But I always keep a couple of 250 watt 3200k photofloods with the aluminum reflectors around for when I do want to use hot lights. They are handy sometimes for still life and table top type photography.

Mike

[rcanzano]

So, how did the hardware shopping trip go?

[PIXI_666]

OK, i picked up 4 100w globes, they are not like normal light globes though they are kind of more a FLAT pear shape rather than a rounded pear shape? I thought "COOL this is good they are only $3 each" then i go to find some lamps...no lamps in the hardware store...no lamps int he newsagents, or the electrical store, or even TARGET! NO LAMPS ANYWHERE!!!!!!!!! I couldn't believe it, we don't even have lamps IN OUR OWN HOUSE! LOL

So i gave up...and i figure ill just either buy lamps off ebay or just wait till i go to perth to get them, so frustrating because i want to use this cube NOW but i can't with what i have, unless i completely flood the cube with flood lights, but i don't want anything to start on fire in such a small room with this nylon little cube!

Very frustrating living in a crappy little town that sells hardly anything :( so im kinda dissapointed and angry....but ill let you know in a few weeks when i finally have something to work with.

Del

[rcanzano]

Ahh . . . Man! I feel for you. I hate waiting. Funny to hear you have Target there. Funnier, and disapointing, they don't have lamps. They have everything. How far outback are you in the Outback. (now i'm hungry because the Outback restaurant is one of my favorite restaurtants and I've just typed "outback" three times. I need a steak!)

I started a thread for my studio disapointment, so i guess we're both still waiting.

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=1065893#post1065893

[PIXI_666]

Im 3hrs from Perth City, so for "City Folk" that is WAAAAY out in the outback, but it's not really considering all the people who live Up North (Broome etc.)
So...ive gotten aroudn stuf like this before, its just a huge pain in the rear end lol

Outback - i have heard of that restaurant from my friends in Cali, apparently it's a real Aussie Restaurant haha, funny coz we associate a steak house with America? WIERD HUH!? They should be serving vegemite sandwhiches, lamingtons, pavlova and pies with sauce if it's an Aussie Restaurant hahaha!! How al a carte! haha

Mmmm steak is good, how evil is that? lol

ANYWAY ill keep you posted :) and ill read your thread!

Del

[rcanzano]

Here's a link to the restaurant.

http://www.outbacksteakhouse.com/

Is it even close?

[mjordan]

:D No, the Outback is not a real Aussie resturant... it was started by two buys (I think brothers) that needed a gimick for their resturant and they decided on the Australian theme. They must have hit on a popular idea because the chain has grown across the country here in the US. They do serve decent steaks, but our favorite is their Apple Carmal something that is worth going just for it. It's usually so busy though that it's way to noisey.

To bad you couldn't find some lamps. You would think that somewhere would have them. Do you have a place t hat sales chicken brooders? Sometimes they have the clamp on lamps that are used to heat chicks and other young birds. Those are usually better as they are made to handle hotter bulbs anyway.

Mike

[PIXI_666]

Hey Guys! Im going to the city this weekend to get my lamps (Friggin finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) SO i will be able to work on doing it soon....ill post some pics i took in the photo cube outside so i got nice natural filtered light...but then ill do a shoot with the lamps once i get them too and see how good it turns out!
Del

[PIXI_666]

OK here's the shots i was talking about...
http://photo.tickle.com/image/60/3/7/RL/60372026RL167886528.jpg

[imh]http://photo.tickle.com/image/60/3/7/RL/60372080RL777917649.jpg[/img]

http://photo.tickle.com/image/60/3/7/RL/60372152RL320023501.jpg

http://photo.tickle.com/image/60/3/7/RL/60372208RL737954705.jpg

http://photo.tickle.com/image/60/3/7/RL/60372177RL437141772.jpg
Had a bit of fun and photoshopping with the last one

[mjordan]

Not bad. I can see you are going to have fun with this. You do need to get some light down low in front though. That will light up the front of your subjects better.

Keep playing and having fun.

Mike

[PhotosGuy]

Great start! Keep at it.

[PIXI_666]

http://photo.tickle.com/image/60/3/7/RL/60372080RL777917649.jpg DOH! lol

[Ross McT.]

Love the purple gold fish!!

I use day light balanced bulbs. They are frosted and produce natural light.
They are bright blue in color.

I'm debating buying (or making) a photo cube now...

[jeff_b]

Light is light is light. Anything will work with enough imagination. Just beware of some really low tech solutions. The Home Depot work lights are OK for fill, but often there power output varies over time making them unreliable as main lights. Another thing to consider when using any lighting is temperture drift. This is especially true with strobes that have modelling lamps. They heat up as they run and the color of the light changes becoming more and more red. Best practice is to take periodic gray card shots throught your sessions so you can color correct images as needed.

[TechJ]

Just putting together my own light tent -- PVC frame, plexiglass bottom -- all covered in thin white sheets.

Went to home depot and bought 4 clamp on light fixtures w/10" reflectors and found 90W fluoresecent bulbs (standard socket) labelled as "daylight lamps...simulates natural daylight".

Tought why not, lots cheaper than photo lamps.

Got home and got some good test results (I'll post in the future when I have a chance to do some mroe serious lightign setups). Then went to read the fine print on the bulbs and they are actually labelled as 5500K !

If I'm not mistaken they were 3 for about $22.