silly lighting setup, help?

[chelsealennox]

Okay so my friend and I would like to have a photoshoot. I am far from a professional photographer but we want decent pictures haha and I have done pathetic little setups with my lamps and such before. Can anyone tell me how to get the best setup with the following items?

5 3ft? tall lamps, like table lamps and I can take off the shades and direct the light etc
1 4.5ft tall lamp
1 umbrella
mass amounts of sheets
and whatever else random normal things people have in their houses

this isn't for like crazy professional anything, just for fun! thanks to anyone who helps

[AdrenoJunkie]

I'd recommend using the highest wattage lamps your lights will allow, at least on your main light or lights. Hang a sheet on the wall for a background, use 1 or 2 lights to light your background. Use one for a hairlight. Use one for a key light and another one with a lower wattage bulb for a fill light Or you could put some tinfoil on a piece of cardboard and use it as a reflector for fill). That's if you wanna go all out. You don't really have to use all those. You could do some artsy/dramatic/abstract stuff with just one light. But you will need to turn up your ISO and open up your aperture in order to keep your shutter speed from being too slow.

[chelsealennox]

thanks so much!!

[AdrenoJunkie]

my pleasure. also to soften up the shadows use white sheets, tracing paer or other translucent materials to diffuse your light. just dont get it too close to the bulbs.