Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Photography Follow-up -- My New "Studio"

Last month I told you about my most awesome birthday gift EVER, a professional light cube to replace my cardboard home-built version that was literally coming apart. I promised to show you my set-up, so here it is:





As you can see, I use the removable top as the bottom of the cube so I can continue to use my beloved dark woodgrain background (my kitchen table, in case you've ever wondered). Another side zips open - that's the side I shoot through.

To my surprise, the new lightcube actually lets less light in than did my homemade version. So I struggled to find the right camera settings for days on end before finally deciding that I simply needed a third light source (duh!). So I'm now using three office-type lamps, each with a 100 watt GE EnergySmart DAYLIGHT bulb, and I'm happy with the results. With just a teensy bit of contrast correction in Photoshop, here's what I get.


10 comments:

Lisa at lil fish studios said...

Excellent! It's nice to hear that you were able to master the lighting settings. I have a portable light box that I've yet to master the light thing so I'm as of yet limited to shooting in the morning near the window. You give me hope! :D

Lorissa J. Longfellow said...

Great setup. I really makes it so much easier. I'm still shooting without one, but I have a great spot with good lighting so I'm not in a rush.
Love the new Christmas Cards.

Unknown said...

No wonder you have such incredible photos. Maybe I need to invest in a light box and lighting too. I really need to improve my product photos.

Start To Finish Supplies said...

The photos look great. I need to get a photo cube as well, I am still using the cardboard box.

The cat decided to jump on it and of course he fell right through the tracing paper and bent the box all up. Poor box, it has definately seen better days!

Jyl @ MommyGossip said...

Ah!!! I love stationary. Pictures capture it wonderfully :).

Kristen Andrews said...

how cool is that, I think I need one of those. I take my pics outside and soon it will be getting cold in Michigan.

Stevie Jean said...

Love your light box! It takes Great pics ;)

Emily said...

Awesome! Your photos are great :)
One of these light boxes sure would make my life easier...

pumpkinhaus said...

That is the neatest thing! Your pictures are fab too!

Waterrose said...

I got the same light set-up for my birthday last week. I had the same problem with lighting, so reconfigured the set up too.