One light practice [self-portrait]

tingeliM · Jan 31, 2012

I have a friend coming over again on Sunday. She has agreed to be one of my (so far) two practice models as I try to learn shooting with my flash and lighting people properly. I figured out some stuff yesterday (after quite a bit of frustration and tips from a photographer friend who knows better) and I had another go today. I want everything to be as clear as possible on Sunday so I practice with my own face first.

I had my speedlite on camera left pointing slightly upwards and I had a round diffusor in my hand. I have a reflector, but couldn't use it for this shot, because I didn't have enough hands or anything else to hold it up.
Any tips and tricks and DIY tips for a one light home studio (very limited space and budget) are very welcome! =)

Canon EOS 500D + 50mm 1.8 II + Canon Speedlite 320EX
ISO100 1/200 f11

cgipson1 · Jan 31, 2012

some small lightstands are very useful... especially with a small boom that has reflector clamps on it. That way you can position things the way you want them.

Check out Adorama or B&H... lots of choices.. all price ranges..

tingeliM · Jan 31, 2012

Thanks cgipson1 for the comment! I know those exist, but unfortunately I don't have the money to spend at the moment (a poor student and the shipping costs aren't really attractive to me at the moment). As soon as I do get some "extra" cash (is there ever really extra?) I'll buy me a proper lightstand. My flash is currently on an old tripod and it serves me fine for now, although it does take up more space than a lightstand would.

Trever1t · Jan 31, 2012

I think you did pretty darn well with what you had.

Derrel · Jan 31, 2012

Well, a "small" setup can use found objects as reflectors and diffusers. Pizza boxes can make acceptable reflectors--the white topped kind are the best. They can also be covered with aluminum foil, for a more specular effect. Doors are also decent reflectors....yes, "doors". You can also tape aluminum foil to doors. Milk jugs make decent diffusers. Bed sheets can be used as large reflectors.Masking tape works quite well as a way to lash together all types of "stuff". Cardboard boxes or sheets of cardboard can be painted white as a way to make reflectors (I see you're in Finland, so the pizza boxes might not be common there???).

PVC pipe can be formed into nice squares and rectangles using "elbow joints"...a LOT of lighting gear can be made out of PVC pipe and various connectors, fairly cheaply, and is can be disassembled and stowed away in minimal space.

brush · Jan 31, 2012

I think it's a great shot, I like how your eyes pop. Can I ask a dumb question? How did you get the focus so good? I'm assuming you set a self timer & then ran into position to shoot...it's focused perfectly on your eyes, how'd you manage that with nothing to aim at while you're looking through the viewfinder?

jwbryson1 · Jan 31, 2012

Nice shot! Great follow up to the melting model...

tingeliM · Jan 31, 2012

Trever1t said:
I think you did pretty darn well with what you had.

Thank you so much! ^^

Derrel said:
Well, a "small" setup can use found objects as reflectors and diffusers. Pizza boxes can make acceptable reflectors--the white topped kind are the best. They can also be covered with aluminum foil, for a more specular effect. Doors are also decent reflectors....yes, "doors". You can also tape aluminum foil to doors. Milk jugs make decent diffusers. Bed sheets can be used as large reflectors.Masking tape works quite well as a way to lash together all types of "stuff". Cardboard boxes or sheets of cardboard can be painted white as a way to make reflectors (I see you're in Finland, so the pizza boxes might not be common there???).

PVC pipe can be formed into nice squares and rectangles using "elbow joints"...a LOT of lighting gear can be made out of PVC pipe and various connectors, fairly cheaply, and is can be disassembled and stowed away in minimal space.

Hehe

We do have all kinds of pizza boxes here in Finland. ^^ Thank you very much for the tips!!

brush said:
I think it's a great shot, I like how your eyes pop. Can I ask a dumb question? How did you get the focus so good? I'm assuming you set a self timer & then ran into position to shoot...it's focused perfectly on your eyes, how'd you manage that with nothing to aim at while you're looking through the viewfinder?

There is such a thing as a stupid question, but that is not it. ^^ I actually have a remote shutter release, so I don't have to run in between the camera and the seat (I've done that in the past and it's a pain in the ass). Plus I used Canon EOS Utility software to view the images straight from the computer screen so I don't have to go to the camera even for that. But if you don't have the remote, you can always just use something in your place to focus on, and the small aperture gives you a nice large depth of field so the focusing is easier. I did sharpen the eyes in post too, but they were sharp to begin with (obviously).