What equipment would u recommend for first studio? - Page 2 - SBB Digital Scrapbooking Forums | Scrapbook-Bytes

Cynnder · #9 (**permalink**) 11-16-2006

if you are just wanting some decent light for personal use..you can try chinese lanterns...they are just the paper lights from ikea...i have a set of two that I used when I first started out..CHEAP CHEAP for lighting... you pick up the largest ones they have, then replace the light bulb inside with a 250 watt photo bulb, and whammo....instant light source...

they are a bit tricky at first, take some time to figure out placement etc, they are HOT lights, so i tried to only have them on for a few minutes at a time, since the bulb is inside a paper ball..I was scared of fire threat..but they still work really well..you just need to be aware and cautious...the hardest part with them was trying to to rig up something that would hang a 30 inch ball from, and not be in the picture...I think both sets cost me like...35 bucks in total maybe..the photo bulbs were the most expensive at 8$ a piece...

if you are interested I can dig up some older images that I got with the chinese lanterns and post them, just let me know!

Pesto126 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-16-2006

paper lanterns for studio lighting? That's unique.. perhaps flashlights would work too. I've read about people using shop lamp from home depot but eventually everyone finds these are just stop gap measures and if you are serious.. will move to some serious light like Alienbees. For $250, you can get a pro level strobe that will work with any SLR flash.. but that is if you want to get good equip.

Cynnder · #11 (**permalink**) 11-17-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pesto126

paper lanterns for studio lighting? That's unique.. perhaps flashlights would work too. . but that is if you want to get good equip.

sheesh..i could just about take offense to that!...you would be amazed at what this CHEAP lighting source can get you...

anyways I do agree with PP, if you do have the extra spare cash..just save up for some alien bees...watch on ebay for some, or check out a few of the photography sites...they dont come up used very often..but I have seen them for sale before..

shelleyrae · #12 (**permalink**) 11-17-2006

Speaking from a financially challenged viewpoint any ideas are helpful and paper lanterns arent something I had thought of

Another very budget alternative is the work lights you can get from hardware stores - you can control teh direction and they have a guard grid so kids cant burn themselves on the bulbs

bethwillis · #13 (**permalink**) 11-18-2006

I have also heard of others using the chinese lanterns although I haven't used them myself, I would be a little scared of the burn risk but you'd just hve to watch them, don't keep them on forever.

Cynnder · #14 (**permalink**) 11-20-2006

yup beth...Im glad I got them and everything...but they are kinda worrysom thats for sure! and in the end im so glad i have my bees!

Pesto126 · #15 (**permalink**) 11-20-2006

sorry... I misread the first post and thought she was talking about lighting for a home studio.. not just a setup for the family. In that case.. yes... the home depot lights and perhaps the lanterns would be a nice try. For anything with paying customers, I would recommend getting some inexpensive studio lights.

Citygirl · #16 (**permalink**) 11-29-2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by shelleyrae

Amazon has some great home studio essential packs I guess for lack of a better word - There are lighting packs that include lights, umbrellas etc they are a couple of hundred dollars and there are a few brands (ebay may have them even cheaper)
Reflector packs which are also important to have eg gold will add warmth, white and silver will bounce more light back up to faces
A good tripod that reaches a height you can work at comfortably
This is a very simple article recommending what and why you need certain equipment
http://www.cnet.com.au/digitalcamera...0062280,00.htm

Excellent suggestion, I second the motion