DYI Studio...

[fatpoint]

OK times are tough so I decided to see what I can do with stuff I had laying around the house. Keep in mind I haven't a clue what I am doing...

I decided to use my fireplace as it was easy to clamp a sheet for a backdrop to the mantel. I slid my coffee table up to the fireplace and clamped a black sheet to the mantel and draped it over the coffee table. For lighting I have 3 halogen bulbs above the fire place which I positioned to shine down on the table and then a clamped on a shop light to the left of the fireplace to give me more light.

That's my ghetto setup...

Here are a couple test shots...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/fatpoint/Assignment%2001/IMG_2386.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v713/fatpoint/Assignment%2001/IMG_2439.jpg
I think my next step is to diffuse the lights a bit?
Let me know if you think I am on the right track...any help would be awesome.

[SAB_Click]

Have you got an iron?

[fatpoint]

Easy over there!
It was just a quick test, plus that edits out in seconds.

[silvrr]

Move your subject away from the background in the first shot to help smooth out the background.

[SAB_Click]

Easy over there!
It was just a quick test, plus that edits out in seconds.

I wish my shirts did :D

[rumplepigskin]

get lower on the second shot

[mrmacca]

the elephant doesnt look too happy lol

[buurin]

Your white balance (of #1) appears to be off. I think you are dealing with two different temperature lights. You've got the halogens and then a 'shop' light. That will probably make it difficult to white balance correctly unless they happen to be similar temperatures.

#1 looks out of focus.

#2 the angle is too extreme for me

[The Ghost of FM]

Black can be a pretty boring color for a backdrop with such cheerful "models".

Take a look through your linen closet and see if you have some funky looking sheets or blankets with a random pattern that you can scrunch up randomly to give your shots more texture. Also, try to get closer to your subjects once you do that to get some bokeh, (blur), happening on the backdrop.

Have fun and keep at it!

Cheers!

[tonydee]

Lighting looks promising to me. I guess whether to use black depends on what you'll actually want to shoot after you're happy with your tests.

Distance between subject and backdrop is always good - works in with DOF to separate the subject and potentially abstract flattering textures and details in the backdrop. But, you'll want to manage DOF carefully, and use a tripod, to ensure the right things are sharp... not sure you've bothered with that for this test...?

Cheers, Tony

[RbnDave]

I see lots of harsh shadows for such a soft subject. Get some more soft lights, or use some reflectors.