Pullbacks and set-ups - HTH =)

[FarrahJ]

I get asked a lot about my set up, so I thought I would share some pullbacks. Hope someone finds it helpful! =)

I use 100% natural light...and I'm spoiled with 300 days of AWESOME light...so that probably helps! =)

FAKE WALL & FLOOR:

I have the savage porta-stand and seamless paper (Thunder gray), a roll-up bamboo floor mat (which doesn't seem available anymore from Lakeside, but check ebay) and a skirting board that I bought at Home Depot. I have hardwood floors naturally...and sometimes it, but it depends on the way I want the lines to go.

Final image:

WHITE BACKGROUND:

I use my stand with white paper and a sheet of plexiglass that I got from Home Depot:

FINAL image:

NEWBORNS:

I tend to use a little more flat lighting for newborns because that's what *I* like...but here is an example of my newborn set up. Beanbag with a poppy on top with a blanket clamped to my counter (you could use your stand to clamp the blanket to if you wanted)

FINAL image:

 

[Foxman]

Farrah,

Thanks for sharing that. Pretty normal and for the most part readily available stuff, but it does the job because your shots are always very well done. :thumbup:

 

[schumionbike]

That's awesome, thanks for sharing !!!

 

[AnotherNewGuy]

Natural lighting... Wonderful. You have inspired me. I have been wanting to turn my extra room into a studio, but have dreaded the need for a B800 , softboxes, and umbrellas. I think I could reflect some awesome natural light in my house though. You are like the Martha Stuart of photography.

 

[mbkPhotography]

Farrah thank you so much for showing us this, your work is amazing! I wish I had such good natural light in my house, I'm sort of forced to using studio lights. Not that its a bad thing but its definitely costly lol. Thanks again Farrah!

 

[Annamas]

WoW . . . thank you!

 

[jackieclayton]

:thumbsup: love the ideas!!

 

[Annamas]

Do you have a flickr stream / website / gallery I could subscribe too. I'd love to see your other work.

 

[FarrahJ]

my websites are:

Denver portrait photographer

and my personal blog is:

The Jobling Family

 

[Blossom101]

Thanks so much for sharing that! Your pictures are awesome.

 

[Foxman]

Denver portrait photographer

Good work and nice web-sight. :thumbup:

 

[Dominantly]

Whats your opinion on Paper Vs Muslin backdrops?

Thanks for posting up the pullbacks, I'll have a baby to practice on in the not so distant future.

 

[mbkPhotography]

I've been trying to work with the bean bag/boppy pillow/blanket setup and I just can't get it down. Every time I do that type of shot I hate the results I get back. I think part of my problem is the blankets I've been using are all too thin and they create way to many wrinkles. Even when I try and straighten them out they still get wrinkles which then results in shadows and I really don't want that in the background. I also keep trying with white blankets which doesn’t really help in my attempts to kill the wrinkles/shadows. I’ve been to almost every store in the area looking for the right blanket but they all suck lol.

 

[FarrahJ]

Whats your opinion on Paper Vs Muslin backdrops?

I've never used Muslin, so I can't really give an opinion on it. The paper is cheap and this is my hobby, so since I don't make money taking pics, I guess I can't really justify spending $200 on the muslin backgrounds I like.

Also...generally speaking, I prefer the smooth even look of the paper.

 

[FarrahJ]

I think part of my problem is the blankets I've been using are all too thin and they create way to many wrinkles.

Layer them...stack like 5-6 blankets (or towels) under the top blanket to reduce the wrinkles