DIYPhotography.net

On the last installment of S@H lighting we covered the usage of LEDs as a light source. While LEDs give you great control over your light, there was something missing. Power. The next step up with lighting can be using work-lights.

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After doing nothing but moving pausing for a short while to let everyone suck in the goods on Studio @ Home, we're going to continue to explore lighting options. We already discussed LED lights, and we'll be exploring worklights, strobes and big guns next. Till then, I'd love to hear what you use for lighting your pictures. 

If your answer is not on the list, let us know via the comments.

The other thing is that we are going to have a new assignment on S@H. get your cameras ready. And now on with the entrée. 

RSS readers, you may have to click the link to vote and view results. 

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The following post is a guest post from James Evins- an automotive photographer from Houston. 

Hi! My name is James Evins, and I am going to talk to you guys (and girls) about a nifty way to build your own automotive rig! Who doesn't love rig shots? The sense of motion achieved and the interesting angles that would be nearly impossible in a car to car or panning shot make automotive rigs an invaluable tool to automotive photographers. Click to continue ›

The following article is a guest post by Ilya Titov, a photographer and web designer, who also runs a great blog at blog.webboggles.com.

Are you a photographer who needs to take dozens of high quality photographs every day?

Are you a designer who has to process the above? - I am both, and I cheated.

Well, not really, I just optimized the way I go about achieving the target outcome. I dothis by using a home grown illuminated light table (or slope). Read on for full details.

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About a week ago, I asked DIYP readers where do they take most of their studio pictures. The matter of setting up a home studio is strongly related to having a place to set the studio at. 

We've all seen how a studio can be set up in under three minutes (ok, timelapse cheating, but still), so it was interesting to learn how DIYP readers coped with this issue. Full results and some thoughts after the jump.

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With the Studio @ Home series going on, I thought that it would be really interesting to share and learn about the "habits" and locations that DIYP readers use as random (or permanent) studio locations. This is the first poll ever on DIYP and I am very exited about it and looking forward to hearing on your photography life.

Some of the setups you have shared on this thread, and more shares are welcomed. However, an image of a setup is not necessary, simply tell us where you improvise your studio. From bedrooms to kitchens, let us know where you shoot. If your place is not on the list, let us by sharing in the comments.

RSS readers, you may have to click the link to vote and view results.

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Two things about backdrops.

1. Studio backdrops are not cheap.  A single color muslin backdrop can cost up to 30$ and the fancy ones with patterns can cost even more.

2.  Backdrops take space. No matter how you look at it, each roll of seamless or fold up fabric take space. It is especially "bad" if you're using seamless paper. I mean those rolls are huge and having just a few of them will get you a 'sad smiley' with your significant other.

The easy solution of course is to use a black backdrop; a white backdrop and some magic to get all the rest. (If you've already gelled flashes till your head popped, skip right to the pattern part).

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You know how you never have enough lights to do the shot you want? Today I am going to solve this problem once and for all. I'm going to show you how to get all the light sources in the world for just a few bucks. How? With LEDs.

Lighting with LEDs is a ton of fun. It is also a great way to practice lighting. Why? Because LEDs are cheap. Having a ton of LEDs allows you to position a huge amount of light sources on any miniature detail oriented given setup - Provided that the setup is small enough.

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Studio @ Home First assignment (Backdrops) is over with great success.

We had 36 submissions with great variance of ideas, and some great interpretation of the assignment mission: shoot something that makes you feel good. 

It was fun to watch how submissions added to create a portfolio of unique pictures and setups. It was also fun to see some of the innovation you had with using everyday objects as backdrops, and "achieving more with less" in terms of squeezing every bit of creativity from whatever equipment was around. So thanks for everyone for participating. Read on for the some thoughts and the winner.

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There you have it. You managed to convince your wife/hubby to spare some space under the kitchen table where you can do your photo business without interruption. You have managed to scrounge up some bed sheets for backdrops. What's next? Next is the really big thing that will instantly convert your den to a fine studio after hard labor and learning will give you the ability to take wonderful photographs. Light!

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