Amateur Studio Lighting and set up help!

[hellohello]

Hi There,

I’m not a photographer however I need to take some product photos on the (very) cheap for a website I’m getting built. I make hats as a part time thing and therefore need to take pictures of hats on a model (or rather friend of mine who’s willing to help me out and pose for me!).

I’m borrowing a decent camera from a friend which should help, however any advice on lighting/ studio set up etc I would really appreciate.

I’ve heard using 500W work lights with a diffuser can work (I bought a cheap umbrella diffuser online and I’ve got a white sheet which I can hang up – quite far away from the lights as I hear they get HOT).

Has anyone had much luck using work lights for lighting?

I’m looking to get some clean and clear looking product shots - don't need them to look 'arty’ but I do want them to look professional – any advice on lighting would be greatly appreciated. Are there any other cheap alternatives that may work better?

In terms of my ‘studio’ I’ll be using a small room in my house (can't get pictures outdoors this time of year). I’m planning on painting the end wall a blue colour, I don’t want a white background as I think they look boring and also I’ve heard it’s hard to achieve a truly white background.

As I imagine the pictures will be head and shoulder shot, will this be ok as a background? Would dark blue or lighter blue be easier to make photos look good!?

Any help/ advice would be greatly appreciated!

thanks

 

[boyfalldown]

before anyone else says it - I'm assuming you will be using your website as a sales tool for your hats, therefore shouldn't your site show them off to their best? That would allow you to sell them for more money. Isn't it worth a little investment in some decent photos and someone to take them, rather then borrowing a decent camera and hoping. It will pay for itself very quickly

 

[Phil V]

What Hugh said.

Try it from this side; I'm thinking of selling some hats, my mates lending me a machine, and I've got some materials, all I need is a list of other materials and some instructions. Can anyone help?

Would you see that as a daft proposition? I've been shooting for 30 years, I'm comfortable with lighting, posing and I know my way round a camera, but to take on this job I'd have to do some research and a dummy run through. There'll be people more used to doing it, a member here does very inexpensive product shots, you can pm for details (I think) as he's not an advertiser.

 

[DemiLion]

Backing up what Hugh and Phil have said, by the time that you have bought some lights plus stands, rigged up the sheeting and repainted a wall, you'll probably find that it would have been more cost effective to get the shots done properly. Especially if you end up not liking the result and have to buy some talent in anyway!