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Still life as in shooting objects (flowers, fruit, etc) indoors. The question: What gear do I need?
Macro lens - a positive advantage but could get away with a zoom (or close up rings).
SLR camera - already have
Tripod - ditto
Lighting, reflectors - Aaarrgh!! Haven't got a clue on any of this. Looking to play arround and experiment first to see if it's a line of photography I want to persue so don't want to go out and spend dosh on dedicated lighting gear (not just yet). What sort of lighting can I use (I'm thinking along the lines of desk top lamps, although the light can be a little harsh so how do I soften it).
Basically, I'm looking for some advice on how to do this on the cheap, at first, and then spend money if I like it.
Thanks
Ian
You can use almost any light source, to soften it use tracing paper or reflect off a bit of poly, a light box can be used to great effect. Also don't worry too much about macro work, some of the best still life is taken with a standard lens.
Be careful though because after a while you'll want to go to medium and then large format cameras.. It never ends.
It really depends on what sort of affect your after? For example I often use the light from the window and position my subjects on the window ledge, and then just adjust settings accordingly... then again I also use a halogen lamp for shadow effects but I find the best results from this when in complete darkness and just the lamp light. With regard to a macro lens, on the cheap side I use a 28-90mm lens with a 2x magnification filter and this does the trick for me, the best advice I could give would be to just practice and judge by your own results, remember its what you like thats important.
Brad.
Ian if you look to the classic photographers then many of them worked with what we would call very basic equipment. If you work in B/W you can use plenty of low cost routes. For example you do not need to worry about light colour so you could use table lamps.
For a low cost reflector think about those Pizza bases the put in to package it. I have put tissue paper over flashes. Or bounce light off one of those Pizza bases, but do not put them too close to the bulb
Most 50mm SLR lenses get you to about 45cm from the subject so that should be ok. I have seen some great photo's using daylight from windows on dull days.
If you have a digital camera then you can always adjust the white balance.
Things to try
Window light, with reflectors to take out the shadows or to highlight selected areas.
Art shops have silver and gold card in A4 for pennies, and possibly larger sizes. Also glossy white foamcore board.
Various sizes of coloured card or mat board for backgrounds.
With the tripod long exposures are possible, so very bright light not needed, a cloudy day is good. (Use off camera shutter release, or the self timer) If the sun is bright either play with it, or hang a diffuser, like a piece of muslin maybe.
If artificial light is used, the reflectors may still be useful in the same way.
For holding up the reflectors, something like a thin stick on a heavy base, and some clamps, e.g. clothes pegs or the cheap plastic clamps now appearing in all DIY stores.
For holding flowers etc., stem vase, barbecue/kebab sticks, sticky tape.
And a large format camera of course.
I often modify the window light by using greaseproof paper on the window - it diffuses direct sunlight very effectively.
For a wide selection of backgrounds, go to your nearest DIY store and tear off some samples of wallpaper. If the piece is long enough, you can arrange it behind and below your subject like this. (Not a fish for clicks.)
John
Me too!
One of my post popular pics was actually done very simply. It was a flower which I positioned against a blank bit of wall in the kitchen and then used a flash gun to light it. Worked a treat. I have also used different coloured card and just good old plain white paper.
As far as lighting goes, we have a professional studio lights, but there have been times when I've just used natural light from the window, diffused by the net curtain. That also works quite well.
You could also try making youre own lightbox, very simple..... Get a smallish piece of white transluscent perspex (say 400mmX400mm) and place a lamp underneath.
This was how I did one of my more recent images shooting colour transparency film on a lightbox.
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