Starting Set Up
Hi
I want to set up a small photographic area in the basement for macro and still life type photography. Any suggestions for the kind of basic lighting system I should buy? I was thinking of a two light kit, something like this?
I want to set up a small photographic area in the basement for macro and still life type photography. Any suggestions for the kind of basic lighting system I should buy? I was thinking of a two light kit, something like this?
If they will only be used for macro/still life, have you thought of LED panels instead? I have found that I use these more than strobes/softboxes for macro and product photography.
The Godox ones I have have adjustable colour temperature and go from 10% to 100% strength. They come with barn doors fitted. If you need to diffuse them more then you can use thin paper (I use kitchen roll) or the like and drape over the front of the panels.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0757FS3QL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
The Godox ones I have have adjustable colour temperature and go from 10% to 100% strength. They come with barn doors fitted. If you need to diffuse them more then you can use thin paper (I use kitchen roll) or the like and drape over the front of the panels.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0757FS3QL/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
For macro I use a fair sized square “light tent” with those spirally type light bulbs on both sides and top, individually switchable...diffused (obviously...) through the “box” sides. Gives me even - shadowless, lighting, if required, or otherwise..
For “still life” I can still get some subjects inside the “box” but I guess ideally, a larger installation is required, but no experience of this...
Someone more sensible will probably turn up...
....and while typing this...he just did....
For “still life” I can still get some subjects inside the “box” but I guess ideally, a larger installation is required, but no experience of this...
Someone more sensible will probably turn up...
....and while typing this...he just did....
Quote:Someone more sensible will probably turn up...Wink
Or me...
Quote:Quote:Someone more sensible will probably turn up...Wink
Or me..
No comment...
but, yes, those types of led panels certainly seem to take up less room, starting again, I think I ‘d be looking this way too..
Those LED panels Malc (Saltireblue) linked to will be a far better source, although draping kitchen roll over them to diffuse the source won't make a huge difference to the light apart from reduce it, the source will still be the same size relative to the subject, far better to use a scrim or diffusion panel that can be placed near to your subject and moving the LED panel back that way you can achieve a larger source thus giving softer light with more wrap (albeit with more fall off due to the inverse square law.... Hope that all makes sense.
Continuous light sources are easier to work with interms of seeing what effect the lights have.
I'd go for LED as they are more conrollable, moe stable in terms of colour performance throughout over time, and have a longer life.
You won't need high shutter speeds so lower illuminatiion levels are fine. You should be working with the camera on a tripod anyway (allows you to move aound and adjust lights and subject while keeping the camera where it needs to be).
Either way, LED and especially fluorescent, I'd use a grey card or equivalent to allow correct colouir adjustment for a shoot if accurate colouir is important.
The mention of a light tent is good for shadowless lighting whatever light source you use.
I'd go for LED as they are more conrollable, moe stable in terms of colour performance throughout over time, and have a longer life.
You won't need high shutter speeds so lower illuminatiion levels are fine. You should be working with the camera on a tripod anyway (allows you to move aound and adjust lights and subject while keeping the camera where it needs to be).
Either way, LED and especially fluorescent, I'd use a grey card or equivalent to allow correct colouir adjustment for a shoot if accurate colouir is important.
The mention of a light tent is good for shadowless lighting whatever light source you use.
Slightly different options in the US but the Neewer LEDs (https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Pieces-Bi-color-Video-Light/dp/B06XW3B81V/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=barn+door+led&qid=1552674549&s=gateway&sr=8-6) look a reasonable option along with an Emart 16 x 16 Inch Lighting Photography Studio Box Kit
The Neewer kit looks good, Merlin. Almost the same as the Godox ones. Should be a good buy!
Those Neewer LED's will do the job, the biggest disadvantage of those panels is adding any light modifiers... I would add some diffusers in order to make your source effectively larger, the 5 in 1 reflectors/diffusers on amazon are fine.. Learn to light properly and you will find that the light tent thing will get less and less use (I should add that I have an intense dislike of them as they produce flat and boring light and you need shadows in order to define)
Still not too versatile as regards modifiers and you will be able to get the same effect by using a diffuser/scrim... (apart from the effect of the grid). To use a scrim/ diffuser it is simple to mount it near to your subject and then position your LED panel so that it lights the largest area of the scrim, this in effect makes your source large in relation to the subject.
A huge give-away of a secret here... Get a copy of Light, Science and Magic, now in its 5th edition and is the go to reference for many studio photographers.
A huge give-away of a secret here... Get a copy of Light, Science and Magic, now in its 5th edition and is the go to reference for many studio photographers.
