Complete lighting n00b needs cheap solution

[AndyNJ]

I'm still somewhat new to photography and don't own anything other than my camera, the kit lens, and a 50mm 1.8. No external flash. Until now, all of my photography has been ambient/natural light based and I like working with that a lot.

However, I've recently had the desire to start taking some erotic photography. I have a friend willing to model for me next weekend. I'm thinking the photos will be in a bedroom or living room, but I don't know what to do with the light. This shoot is really just to get my feet wet and see if I like it, I'm not trying to produce sell-able photos from it. Similar situation for her as well.

Right now, I don't have much time or money to work with and I don't feel comfortable spending a lot of money on something that is just an experiment to see if I like it. If I do like it, I'll invest in some better stuff later, but for now, I just need to be able to create enough light to try it out.

My budget for this is less than $100, but I'm willing to do a little DIY if I can. I was thinking about purchasing this continuous light kit from CowboyStudio. Will this get me by until I can figure out if it's something I want to invest more money into? Does anyone have any other suggestion of kits to purchase or easy DIY options?

[zona5101]

just use incandecents, table lamps, maybe a clamp on hardware store reflector lamp... You can color correct for the warm shift or leave it warm toned which lends itself to a pretty intimate feel. Room light will probably not allow a high shutter speed so a tripod would be in order.

[AndyNJ]

How should I soften the light?

[zona5101]

The lamp shades if the lamp has them should do the trick. If they are too bright and blowing out in your exposure, move them out of the frame. Any light that you're using to add additional light ...like the clamp on hardware light...can be diffused with most any translucent material...a bed sheet for example. You can also control the light by bouncing it off a wall...block the direct light and let the fill light come from the wall. I like the KISS, idea. Shoot it with the existing room light as is. The shutter speed will be slow requiring a tripod.

[Helicity]

I set up a ghetto lighting for about 100. It includes 2 floodlights on stands. I spent 14 dollars at a hardwood store and made soft screens. Wooden outside with a diffusing fabric from the fabric store around it. The screens are 5 ft by 3 ft so pretty big but i would rather have too much then not enough. The flood lights were 30 each. The extra money i made stick in a cans pro photo life to hold up everything i needed to such as a background, the screens and more lights. I spent 100 but if you don't need a background stand and all that it will probably be less. They are also bright and warm. Be careful to have your screen another 2 ft from the light so it doesn't set it on fire and it will increase the temperature in the room so at least your naked model is warm.

[AndyNJ]

That could work.

Would it be possible for me to properly defuse a few halogen work lamps? They should be plenty bright enough.