problem with lighting...

Sparkles33

Sparkles33

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I'm doing a couple of shots of a friend (for my benefit) just as part of coursework. Budget is poor really, I need a backdrop (probably gonna use a sheet or fabric from the market or something like that, attached to the wall).

ATM I have no lighting that I obviously need. :gag: I have a reflector (useful for some of the shots) and other than that all I have is a desk lamp with a trusty daylight bulb. :thinking:

The shots that I want, I want to recreate a certain style, where it is dark but glamourous. Think George Hurrell

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Stupid question alert....

do you think, if used properly, a couple of cheapie lamps from argos would work ok?

I'm not professing that I'll get the perfect image or as good an image as i I had the proper gear etc, but, in your opinion, could it work?
 
Yup, a couple of cheap lamps would do it - they done exactly this kind of thing in one of the photo mags a few months back using a desk lamp and the results were really good - tripod obviously required...
 
looking forward to see your results with the lamps.
 
with a lot of inginuity (sp?) and experiment, i dont see why its not possible... but then i know nothing of lighting, and tend to like challenges... :) so maybe wait for one of the experts to come along :D sorry for useless post,


good luck!
 
Thank you.

I think I still have the magazine lying around somewhere - I vaguely remember something like that in one TBH.

Just a little weary. They're as part of my coursework but promised my mate a copy of them all on CD and a 10x12 print of her fav one if they're any good and I'm really a little apprehensive incase I screw it all up *blushes*
 
You won't screw it up... just take your time; take plenty pics; move the lights around keep chimping the LCD on the camera... don't rush it, give yourself plenty time... most important, make sure the eyes are in sharp focus... remember the make up, hair and clothes are all part of the 'look' if that's what you're going for... post the best on here, eh? :D
 
You can do it in terms of the AMOUNT of light, if you set the ISO very high and produce B&W, because the image quality won't need to be pro standard.

Obviously George Hurrel had a few things going for him - 60 years of experience, massive film set lights (he specialised in using fresnel spots) and the best best actors/actresses of his day, with perfect features and perfect complexions, so don't be too disappointed if you can't get the same lighting EFFECTS.

AsDekhog says, just experiment, try different things.
 
Thanks

I'll get a couple of bits of makeup for her (she doesn't usually wear any or much cause she has near flawless skin most of the time) and ask her to bring a variety of different tops over etc. I'm also gonna get a couple of feather boas form Claires or somewhere like that. (I know, cringy cringe, awful charva music n stuff, yuk)

Another part of my course is that I have to show photoshop or other editing software being used *rolls eyes cause I'm not a fan of editing photos much* but I suppose that'll help achieve some of the effects.

I think I'm most nervous cause I said that I'd get one printed for so the pressure is on for me to take one that she really likes! lol

Will definately post a couple even if they're not very good, lol
 
This sounds similar to a setup I used (albeit for a still life shot), I used a black sheet for the back drop, then used I think it was four desk lights that I happen to have for lighting.

Have you thought about looking for a local studio? I pay about £25 for an hour, by the time you've brought 2/3 lights from Argos and a sheet for backdrop, your probably looking at £20 - Just a thought!
 
It'd be more faff than enough hiring a studio n stuff at the moment, I'd have to make sure there'd be wheelie access and I couldn't rearrange it if I wasn't well enough to do it that day.

So, I kinda made a few purchases... I bought a back drop, some lamps, brollies, stand etc, flash and still need a black sheet (I have a white sheet (cause I couldn't got a backdrop with a train thingy (I forgot the word, happens alot, grr). Need another desk lamp though and still waiting on bracket for the brolly stand and a couple of cables, but what I have so far is enough to do the shts.

I had to rearrange it though to Sunday cause I wasn't well enough to do it on Wednesday :(

I thought that it was probably better just to buy the stuff now TBH than make do etc. That way I can get used to using that equipment etc etc
 
theres a lot you can do with flashes and crepe paper to difuse light
I think some soft light, even candles might do it.
then you can add some kind of blur afterwards
to be honest your images may come out too sharp

if you can I would shoot in RAW + JPG and set the filter to monochrome
then you'll get a colour image on your PC but a B&W image on your LCD screen which helps you see what's going on.
I love this kind of photography and would gladly offer to help out if it wasn't course work related (have flash, brolly etc). although I'm not a pro so I doubt it's cheating!
 
DizMatt said:
theres a lot you can do with flashes and crepe paper to difuse light
I think some soft light, even candles might do it.
then you can add some kind of blur afterwards
to be honest your images may come out too sharp

if you can I would shoot in RAW + JPG and set the filter to monochrome
then you'll get a colour image on your PC but a B&W image on your LCD screen which helps you see what's going on.
I love this kind of photography and would gladly offer to help out if it wasn't course work related (have flash, brolly etc). although I'm not a pro so I doubt it's cheating!
Click to expand...

That's what I was thinking, JPEG & RAW (let's face it, editing in RAW is so much easier!) :lol:

The course that I'm doing is just a fast track HEFC and no lighting stuff has been taught :thumbsdown: (which tbh is quite shocking thinking about it) so all I've learned re lighting is from books and what I learned in performing arts years ago and of course, ye olde internet ;) So if you fancy meeting for a coffee to talk about lighting or sorting out summit where we can play with lights, just drop me a PM ;)

My reflector brolly came today (diffuser one didn't) and still waiting for the clip attachment thing for the stand. I made a flash soft box thing with card board and velum which gives nice effect.

Poor hubby has given up being my model though, lol, he's sick of me shooting him cause he hates his photo being taken, but I played around with various light set ups the other day and last night ( :suspect: and on the sly got some pics of him :love: that I really like... :woot:)
 
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