Make your own studio lights for under 20$

[mikeboy]

Im just getting started in the world of photography, and I want to have professional gear to make my shots, but that is not always an option, being that the average 150W studio light will cost you about 300$...

So, I set out to build my own out of an old umbrella.
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e316/mikeboyvzl/CIMG0354.jpg
(This one is not painted yet)



Budget U$D 20

First of all, you will need these materials (+ Umbrella):
150W Halogen bulb (Cold Light) - Bs. 18.000 = $8
Extension cord (1.75mts) - BS. 2.500 = $1,25
Bulb Socket - Bs. 1.175 = 50c
5/8" aluminum pipe (Optional) - Bs. 5.300 = $2,5
Extensible curtain supports - Bs. 8000 = $3.7
White Spray Paint (or silver) - Bs. 5.000 = $2,25
wire (1mts) - Bs. 150 = 6c
Bottle of Coke - Bs. 1500 = 80c


Grand TOTAL: $19,6c

On top of these materials you will need some tools:
-Pliers
-Screwdriver

Now, lets get started...

1- Painting your Umbrella:
You have to paint the inside of the umbrella, preferably, with a solid coat of paint that will reflect light evenly. Take some old newspapers and protect the surroundings of the umbrella before you paint, I dont suggest you do it in your room or anywhere inside the house, because you will most probably stain something and then you've done it good.
Give it a soft coat of paint first holding the spray can about 45cm from the surface, to set a base, dont worry if its not white, let it dry for about 5 minutes and then proceed to paint about 30cm from the surface covering all in white paint. Let is dry and then cover all the small patches you might have left.

2- Building the support:
Use wire to tie the two extensible curtain supports as shown in the picture:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e316/mikeboyvzl/CIMG0349.jpg

3- Hooking up the Umbrella:
Inset the Umbrella in one of the supports and using the pliers, bend the support until it presses on the Umbrella. Proceed to connect the second support to the umbrella using some wire. (As shown in the picture above)

4- Hooking up the Bulb and Socket.
Using wire, wrap the socket and then the Umbrella as shown in the picture:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e316/mikeboyvzl/CIMG0351.jpg

5- Connecting the socket:
Cut off the end of the extension cable that does not plug into the electricity. Peal about 1.5cm of the plastic coating and connect them to the socket's cables. Wrap each connection with Cobra tape (regular tape will not work).
NOTE: MAKE SURE THE CABLES ARE NOT TOUCHING, each connection you make must be separate from the other, if you touch, they will short out and probably burn.
If you are not familiar with basic electronics, get help with this stage. Seriously...

[mikeboy]

6- (Optional) Use the 5/8" pipe as a support.
Insert one end of the pipe on the free Extensible curtain support and bend the support until it cannot move and is very tight around the pipe. Make sure it does not move. If it does, just use a little bit of cobra tape and wrap the end of the pipe, that will generate more grip.

By this time you should have something like this:
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e316/mikeboyvzl/CIMG0347.jpg

7- Open up the bottle of Coke you purchased, sit back, and reward yourself on a job well done. ;)

It really does work.

[Saralonde]

Thanks, Mikeboy, for posting this DIY project. Do youhave any shots you've taken using this set-up?

[Nicole]

Great DIY project :) Good explanation, and thanks for showing the pics on how to set it up too.

[mikeboy]

Thanks for your input, I changed the bulb today, I was using a 60W before, so light was not much, now I got the 150W... Ill see what I photograph