$20 portrait studio

[arlon]

I was almost sick after I added the cost up of a home studio. Thousands of dollars in lights, backdrops, reflectors, soft boxes, remote flashes, etc. etc..

Well, I decided to see what I could do for around $20 instead...

I had 3ft of open space in the garage, that would have to do for space. Could have used any room in the house just as easily.

I had a trouble light I used under my car already so that was a start. I needed better lighting so I bought a $7.95 clamp-on light and blew another $5 on a compact flourescent bulb. A custom backdrop came off the local walmart clearance rack ($9 for a black kingsize sheet).

Click images for the larger versions..

Me shot by myself in my custom studio with a D90, 50mm F2 Nikkor manual focus lens, camera on a tripod using the self timer and two "garage" lights.
Nikon D90, ISO 800, 1/30 sec, F8




What it looked like straight out of the camera:


Picture of the studio (and a whole bunch of other stuff).. This wasn't rocket science and it was REALLY good bang for the buck...

Custom lighting in the lower left and upper right of the picture..

[superdewa]

Love it! You look great!

[jiminyClickit]

arlon,

You have my generational respect for a job well-done at a reasonable cost, and an appreciation for finding I'm not the only one who organizes his stuff archaeologically.

For just a slight extra cost, you could get terrific effects by adding different bulb qualities to your fixtures, and snoots. Lots of possibilities. Thanks for inspirations.

Really classy country portrait, too. I miss Houston.

[arlon]

Originally Posted by jiminyClickit

arlon,


For just a slight extra cost, you could get terrific effects by adding different bulb qualities to your fixtures, and snoots. Lots of possibilities. Thanks for inspirations.

Really classy country portrait, too. I miss Houston.

I tried several bulbs and ended up using a much warmer bulb on the left, cooler on the right. Wanted it to look like sun light on the left..

I also got a few paper globes (light shades) at Ikea for $4 each to use as diffusers. Haven't tried them yet but I was inspired by the results from a very modest outlay. I also sprang $50 for a larger commercial background in a lighter color. I'll stil be keeping my cash outlay under $100...

Thanks for the comments, keep the ideas coming!

[Saralonde]

Nice way of showing that you can use DIY stuff and come up with a budget studio by using a little extra creativity.

[Glayva]

Very well done - just shows what cam be done for next to nothing. Only little critic is the shadow around your right eye.

[arlon]

Originally Posted by Glayva

Very well done - just shows what cam be done for next to nothing. Only little critic is the shadow around your right eye.

It's a learning experience. I would say this was my very first "portrait" attempt. I shoot moons, bugs, birds, building, but NEVER people.. Love to hear any critique.

After my wife saw this one, she forced me into a few more. I'll try posting a few of those this evening.

[Jim Bryant]

Prove to show that by being creative you can come up with something with next to nuthin Good work! I have a whole garage full of stuff that would be used. BTW get some plastic plumbing pipes from the local hardware store and a white sheet and build some reflectors too.

[wckeep]

nice job gave me an idea of what to go for. i too use a walmart sheet.

[KatieNK]

The first thing I thought was that it looked like the sun was setting on you so mission accomplished! It looks great!