Newbie needing lighting/surface/backdrop studio tips

[Scytus]

A bit of an update, I was able to convince my father to up the budget to $200-300, so I was thinking of possibly getting one of these?

http://www.amazon.com/Lighting-Hairl...4076126&sr=1-9

http://www.amazon.com/ePhoto-Continu...4087576&sr=1-6

http://www.amazon.com/LimoStudio-Pho...087446&sr=1-18

or pay more for this?
http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-D...4076126&sr=1-1

and then possibly adding a background & reflector? Unsure what wattage I'd need for my use.

[SkipD]

Originally Posted by Scytus

A bit of an update, I was able to convince my father to up the budget to $200-300, so I was thinking of possibly getting one of these?

http://www.amazon.com/Lighting-Hairl...4076126&sr=1-9

http://www.amazon.com/ePhoto-Continu...4087576&sr=1-6

http://www.amazon.com/LimoStudio-Pho...087446&sr=1-18

or pay more for this?
http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-D...4076126&sr=1-1

and then possibly adding a background & reflector? Unsure what wattage I'd need for my use.

A serious shortcoming of those cheap kits is that you have no way to control the intensity of the lights other than to pull them away from the subject. That will change the quality (think "softness") of the light. They will also tend to be hot so I would hope that you have an air-conditioned space to work in.

[Scytus]

Originally Posted by SkipD

A serious shortcoming of those cheap kits is that you have no way to control the intensity of the lights other than to pull them away from the subject. That will change the quality (think "softness") of the light. They will also tend to be hot so I would hope that you have an air-conditioned space to work in.

Oh I definitely expect for it to have its shortcomings, but I'm trying to put together the best I can with the resources I have. Would you recommend anything else with a max budget of $200-300?

[SkipD]

Originally Posted by Scytus

Oh I definitely expect for it to have its shortcomings, but I'm trying to put together the best I can with the resources I have.

If you want to buy that sort of thing (better than umbrellas), make sure that the lamps can be replaced with ordinary household compact fluorescent bulbs of different brightness levels. That would give you some ability to control the light levels of each light.

Originally Posted by Scytus

Would you recommend anything else with a max budget of $200-300?

Yes. You can use ordinary lights (maybe shop lights that you already own?) behind the diffusion screens I described before or reflected off a white wall or a white cardboard panel. That way you can get very soft lighting emulating a cloudy sky.

Get creative. It's often a great way to learn on a small budget.

[Scytus]

Originally Posted by SkipD

If you want to buy that sort of thing (better than umbrellas), make sure that the lamps can be replaced with ordinary household compact fluorescent bulbs of different brightness levels. That would give you some ability to control the light levels of each light.

I'll definitely do that, thank you

Originally Posted by SkipD

Yes. You can use ordinary lights (maybe shop lights that you already own?) behind the diffusion screens I described before or reflected off a white wall or a white cardboard panel. That way you can get very soft lighting emulating a cloudy sky.

Get creative. It's often a great way to learn on a small budget.

Honestly I am awful at DIY projects. I've tried it with changing certain aspects of my computer case, making my own electrical board, etc.. and it always ended in failure. I'd rather purchase something intended for the work I plan to use it for, and I think I'd be quite happy with getting cheap softboxes. I'll use the methods you described, bouncing light off walls/white cardboard. Which wattage would you recommend? I believe it varies from 2k to 2.4k with those kits; also do you think a reflector be useful for me?

The one area now that I feel nervous about is the surface & the backdrop.. I was thinking about doing a reflective white (or black) surface with a canvas-like backdrop, but after seeing MatBoy's work, I do like the contrast between smooth metal & rocky surface.. it reminds me of this image:
http://www.autointell.com/european_c...ont-01-800.jpg

Which to me looks wonderful because of the blend of old landscape & new technology, a good contrast. Any suggestions on how to do my surface/backdrop?

EDIT: I've also found this video quite enlightening: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qb-6-...feature=relmfu

[PhotosGuy]

Having your light come through a very large diffuser panel (like the front of a softbox) is the way to replicate an overcast sky.

That will work well, but I was trying to use the wall for that to cut down on cost & complexity. Overcast sky = a broad source which will result in soft shadows. The closer it is, the broader it is, as you saw in the video link you posted. Here are some more: Photographic tips by Jim Talkington. includes videos for studio work for product photography, still life, macro, or portraiture, business tips, etc.

I'd rather purchase something intended for the work I plan to use it for, and I think I'd be quite happy with getting cheap softboxes. I'll use the methods you described, bouncing light off walls/white cardboard.

There's not much point in bouncing a softbox off a wall. The object is to get a broad source to reflect in the wheel, & a softbox will just cut down on the intensity, but it could be useful for other purposes.

Which wattage would you recommend?

Using a tripod, it really doesn't matter if it's 5 or 500 watts. Any cheap worklight from a hardware store will be OK.

[nathancarter]

I hope you'll continue to update this thread with your decision, and ultimately your results.

For a highly reflective surface, pick up some black or white coated plexiglas from the home improvement store - put the coated side down, and sit your wheels on the non-coated side. With a little effort and attention to the way the light reflects and refracts, you should be able to invisibly blend the far edge of black plexiglas against a black backdrop.

You can also gently bend plexiglas but I haven't personally done so.

For a shiny but less reflective surface that's readily available, maybe some diamond-plate? It's a little cliche but only because it looks cool

[Scytus]

Originally Posted by nathancarter

I hope you'll continue to update this thread with your decision, and ultimately your results.

For a highly reflective surface, pick up some black or white coated plexiglas from the home improvement store - put the coated side down, and sit your wheels on the non-coated side. With a little effort and attention to the way the light reflects and refracts, you should be able to invisibly blend the far edge of black plexiglas against a black backdrop.

You can also gently bend plexiglas but I haven't personally done so.

For a shiny but less reflective surface that's readily available, maybe some diamond-plate? It's a little cliche but only because it looks cool

Absolutely will :]

Thanks advice on the pexiglass, I'll probably do it that now now..that is, if I can decide on a style x]

[sigma pi]

I would light paint with that budget.

It should be easier than the strobes