Inexpensive Equipment and Studio Setup

Assuming you already are in possession of a good camera here are some ideas for an inexpensive home studio-using primarily things you can find in your own home!

Tripods
If you don't have a full size tripod already and don't wish to go out and spend a lot of money on you can buy a small 4-7 inch tripod such as the Pedco Ultrapods 1 & 2 for around $10 and $20, respectively. If you need extra height you can set the small tripod on a table or a stack of boxes.

If you are looking for a good full-sized tripod I highly recommend the Digital Concepis, my Uncle gave me one for my birthday and I love using it.

Fancy-Schmancey Light Filter
...an all purpose shower Curtain. Cut the shower curtain into different sized squares and gently tape over windows, light fixtures, lamps, or other light sources. This serves as a light filter, that evens out the shadows and providing you with a soft, ambient light. Another variation my Uncle Nolan told me about is to use a pair of ladies nylons over the lens as a filter.

Lights
If you're like us you probably have a few pets around the house. If one of these pets happens to have a basking lamp you're in good shape. You can attach the light to a clamp and clip it on a chair, the couch, the table or whatever else is handy.

Background
Whenever my Dad takes our family picture he usually will do one of two things for the background. He will
(1 Hang a sheet against a wall in the house and place everyone in front. OR
(2 Position us in front of a "natural background" such as the living room fireplace, the front door, the woods, by the garden, and so forth.
Both options have served as excellent background choices for our portraits.

Props
looking shots (either For seating you could easily use the living room couch, a stool, or chair, for more professionalvideography or photography) simply use a nicer chair :)
Now, as for props to surround your subjects, be creative. I think this is one of the most enjoyable parts of photography. Use things you find around the house. Things such as books, pictures on the wall, artwork, a desk, house plants, are all excellent choices.

Models
I happen to know of some very inexpensive models, in fact they don't even require a paycheck. They work 24/7, and are generally very cooperative. They go everywhere you go and you don't have to pay for the extra gas. They might even carry some of your equipment.
Who are they?
Your Family!
You don't even have to pay to have them to pose...though you most certainly could...

For outdoor photography:

Time of Day
Early morning and late evening are universally regarded as the best times of day to take pictures, 2:00pm is considered the worst.

Weather
Overcast days are the best, the shadows are even and the light is good.

Naf Seg Da Perestroika (Russian for Semper Reformanda),

Tripods

A tripod comes in very handy in all types of situations, and is helpful for long shutter speeds in macro as we have been talking about the last week.

For macro a shorter tripod works best, but most tripods don't go very low to the ground. Also, what about uneven ground? What if a tree is in the way?

So I have been looking around for a good tripod that would suit my purpose. Mom had printed me off some pages containing photography tips and on one of the pages was a tripod recommendation for Ultrapod 2 by Pedco. I looked it up online and began reading about it. Here is the description:
"A small, light weight (4oz) portable camera tripod, injection molded from fiberglass reinforced nylon with aluminum threaded components. Features sturdy fold out legs, a unique ball and socket camera mount assembly, and a strong Velcro strap for securing to tree limbs, railings, pack frames, or other similar objects. Folds to a compact 7 inch lengh to fit in a pocket or camera bag. Designed for use with larger 35mm cameras, compact camcorders, spotting scopes, and binoculars. Available in black, red, blue, and yellow. ($15.95)"

There is also an Ultrapod 1 that is 2oz, supports a smaller range of cameras, folds to 4 inches, and is less expensive. ($14.95) This is the one I got because I don't need the heavier duty tripod and a smaller tripod would fit in my camera bag better.


Note: This week's theme is water.

A Broken Watch and a Pair of Glasses

Yesterday morning, as I was getting ready, I went to put my watch on and found it tangled with my necklace. As I began to untangle the two I somehow or another managed to drop it. The watch fell and hit a small candle I had sitting on the bathroom counter. I picked it up and found to my dismay that it was shattered.

As I began studying the shattered watch, I began to be very fascinated by it. It was shattered, but there was no sharp edge or glass on the counter. It appeared to be shattered from the inside. I don't know much about the glass in watches but this seemed pretty amazing to me.

My photographic mind instantly began thinking of what an interesting picture it would make...I began to plan out the photo...looking at the broken watch I held in my hand caused me to think of a time to come when time itself will pass away. I then took this thought to another level and thought of putting the broken watch across my Bible, specifically Revelation chp 21 and 22. The focus being on the shattered portion of the watch, but still be able to recognize the portion of scripture. I then began to get really creative, trying all different angles, using a flashlight, a flower, and a pair of glasses.

I enjoyed photographing the broken watch, but found that my camera didn't focus very well on the shattered glass but rather the numerals behind it. I couldn't think of a solution so I continued trying different angles hoping that would resolve the problem.

As I was photographing I was reminded of an article I read the other day talking about outdoor photography. It recommended that you put your sunglasses over your lens in place of a filter to help with having washed out outdoor pictures.

I wasn't wearing sunglasses, but I was wearing glasses. I'm nearsighted, so you would think that my glasses wouldn't benefit macro photography. But I was in an experimenting mood and decided to try it. I took off my glasses, "my every thing's blurry" :) and centered them over my camera's lens. I took the picture, then put my glasses back on to the view the picture. I was surprised when I found that the shattered glass was perfectly focused and the numerals behind the glass were blurred-just how I wanted it.

I was amazed and tried it again, same result. Who would have thought? I wonder what difference a different strength of glasses would make. What about reading glasses? I encourage you to try it, and share with me the results.

Please see sidebar for pictures.