quick snap

[jhuse]

I was working on a lighting setup when my stepdaughter walked in to see what I was up to, so I got her in front of the camera for a quick shot. This is my homemade 20X20in softbox as main, homemade 8X30in softbox for hair and an umbrella as fill. All C&C welcome and appreciated. I know it looks more like a school picture, but at least I know im getting to that level at least....

Jeremy

[birdman59]

Since I have never attempted any portraits yet (someone at work asked me..I'm thinking about it), could you post a photo of your home made boxes? What kind of bulbs did you use in them? Where did you place each box in relation to where your stepdaughter was? Sorry for all the questions, but I know only a little bit about formal lighting and need to learn.

I really like the photo. It is bright, pleasing to the eye, and the color really pops. She has a great smile as well.

[HQP]

The lighting looks quite nice to me. Especially for homemade lighting. I second the motion to show the set up.

[phamster]

i want to see too..
phamster

[bbvdm]

By the catchlights, I'm guessing a simple 2 light setup at 45 degrees.

[jhuse]

Ok this is all a work in progress, but hopefully this will explain a little of what im trying to do. These were my first lights and they cant be turned up or down and they have no modeling lights but they work. So for around $75 for a light, umbrella holder, and a light stand and some time you can do this as well. Here is the light and umbrella holder, or lightstand mound. You can also use a shoplight with a clamp if you wanted to keep cost down. My softbox and beauty dish are not finished but here is what they look like with links to the lights and mounts. My 20X20in soft box has an inner diffusion and outer diffusion. Im 1/2 stop brighter in the middle than at the corners. My material is just the cheap stuff from wal mart.

http://www.adorama.com/SV45I.html?se...o=smith+victor

http://www.adorama.com/SVULM45.html?...o=smith+victor

[jhuse]

If more detail is needed let me know.

[birdman59]

What kind of bulb? It may be cheap stuff from Wal-Mart, but you can't argue with the results! Good job! I think I'll give it a try. I was thinking that you could make the front diffusion panel removable to put different colors in front for special effects.

[birdman59]

Never mind about the bulb. I asked the question before I looked at the links.

[carshop]

excellent shots

[jhuse]

You can buy gels for the flashes themselves for about $5. Thats what I did and it works well for background lights.

[wolfden]

I really like the DIY stuff

I made two beauty dishes from this thread
http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=131077

I used a silver metal salad bowl tho instead of plastic and painting. I also found that the self sticking velcro strips you can buy work great for fastening