Home Studio?

[Feardrops]

For the past month or so, I've been doing Spring photos for several clients. My rig is so amateur, though. I use 4 Halogen Work lights, some white poster board and my camera.

Anyway, I've been forced to do way too much post work on these, because the posterboard isn't completely white in some shots, and my clients are always squinting and complaining that the lights are too bright.

For a poor kid like me, what type of materials should I buy (under $100, mind you.) I'm talking the white backdrop material, mostly. My posterboard just isn't cutting it anymore.

Eventually, I'd like to buy a flash set, but that's a little lot over my budget right now, and I have clients in every day, nearly.

Anybody have any advice?
PS: The obvious response: "Do outside shots." Need not apply. For the clients that wanted outdoors shots, I'm fine. It's the indoor ones that are becomming a problem.

Thanks!

[PhotosGuy]

What's a "Spring photo"? Post a pic so we can see what you're talking about?
A google search for photography "background paper" = 80,000 links. Here's one to White 53"x36' Seamless Background Paper (http://www.photography-lighting.com/paper-backgrounds.html) for $20. You can get it up to 107", too.

While you're at it, take a look at these:
FAQ - Studio Lighting
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=66140

Edit: Sorry, forgot to put in the link!

[BLINN]

Do outside shots...LOL just kidding. Get a white and black king size bed sheet to start. Then you can get other colours. As for lighting. Adjust you camera for the halogend. Try putting a thin white sheet of material in front of the lights. This will help to soften them. good luck and post some photos so that we know were you are at with your photography.

[Feardrops]

Some shots from the studio:

http://i2.tinypic.com/ri812q.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/rciijn.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/rclrvr.jpg

And I'm set up with a client tonight. These shots were especially hard to shoot, because she has very sensitive eyes, and the lights were making them water.

[rlhphotos]

try not pointing the lights at them, use something to reflect the light at a lower level back at them...this might help the squinting issue.

[TechJ]

If a long exposure/higher ISO is acceptable you could build a softbox and compact flour. bulbs. you'd get a softer, more even light and wouldn't have the heat -- the downside is that you also wont' get a ton of light from them.

You can get CFD @ home depot that are 5000K (or is it 5500?); it's what I use for product shots.

[BLINN]

I like the HighKey shot. Nice work.