Monday, October 13, 2008

Self-teaching

Somehow in my photographic education I missed everything about studio photography and most lessons about lighting. So, currently I am trying to remedy this deficit in my knowledge. Unfortunately, it becomes much harder to learn about studio work without a studio and lighting without proper lighting equipment. But I have a MFA in Jury-rigging from the School of Make-do, so I'm learning with what I've got. Below are some studio style shots of some of our household knick-knacks. Photographers use translucent cloth boxes called shooting tents or domes to diffuse light and soften highlights and shadows when photographing (usually small) objects. These cost anywhere from $40-$160, depending on size and quality, but mine cost me the price of a half gallon of milk because that's what it was, a half-gallon milk jug. Which is why all the objects were so small. I'm fairly pleased with how it worked and I actually kind of like the effect of the jug's curve and seam in the black cat picture.


The pink is just a red cloth draped over the jug.

My supercool fellow photog friend Steve has promised me a lesson in lighting with his badass lighting kit. Hopefully I'll have some shots to share from that sometime soon!

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Very innovative! Nice effects and you are right that cat is a keeper. Could even make a great wall hanger. LMF

Steve said...

very nice.

I have a good book on building your own studio equipment if you'd like to take a look.

Also, remind me and I can look through my bookmarks. I have a link or two about making studio stuff from household items.

then again. there is always my equipment. we just have to find a time to get together to play with it :-)