Working With Cheap Lights
Some young photographers, many who are just starting out on their photographic journey, get so hung up on not having the equipment they feel they must have to create the photographs they want to make, become paralyzed. Paralyzed to the point of not making images but worrying about the equipment they think they need instead. When you’re just starting out, the truth is the list of required equipment is pretty daunting and this is especially so today because, in addition to the required cameras and lenses, you’ll need a relatively powerful computer system in addition to your image making tools.
Things get even more scary if you are lucky enough to find your way into a professional photography studio and see a set-up that uses a dozen light stands and five or six lights. Considering that every cent of a beginner’s photography equipment budget goes towards necessary cameras, lenses, and a computer system, it’s easy to see why many young photographers freak out at not having the thousands of dollars required for a top tier lighting system. But all is not lost and it is possible to assemble a lighting system that can produce professional quality images and still only cost (relatively speaking) pennies. Doing so is the subject of this tutorial: Cheap Lights. Let’s go!
Set Shop Tutorial Checklist
Call (800) 422-7381 or visit us online to purchase any of the products used in this tutorial.
- Rosco Off-Broadway White White Paint: Off Broadway is one of Rosco’s most popular scenic paints. A palette of rich, matte theatrical colors in a flexible vinyl acrylic binder makes Off Broadway paint perfect for almost any scenic or artistic application. Off Broadway can be used straight out of the can or diluted with water to create beautiful glazes for finishes which can be applied to virtually any surface in stagecraft including muslin, wood, metals, wallboard and many plastics. Off Broadway is compatible with all other Rosco scenic paints. Available in 27 artists’ colors.
- 2-inch pony spring A-Clamp: Classic metal “A” clamps with orange grips.
- Manfrotto Double-Ended Stud Adapter Spigot
- 12″ x 50′ Lee Black Foil: Lee black foil is a matte black aluminum material that virtually soaks up light. Ideal for masking light leaks and/or eliminating unwanted reflections. It can be quickly molded to form barndoors, flags and other configurations. Lightweight, yet durable, it can be quickly positioned in place with tape, staples or adhesives.
- White 2″ x 25 yd. Gaffer’s Tape: White Gaffer’s Tape – 2″ x 25 yd. All of our professional gaffer’s tape comes from Shuretape, formerly known as Permacel.
Steve Sint
Steve Sint
