DIYPhotography.net

What if you wanted to make the main post of the PVC light stand (as described by The Frugal Filmmaker) to be telescoping? Here's one option for adding telescoping sections to just about any PVC project. It's quick, easy, and very inexpensive.

This telescoping element came from a mic boom I had made. There were two reasons I made it: one was to hold the mic in position for doing some street side interviews and the other was to enforce the 3' minimum focus distance of the Kodak Zi8 I was using (to keep the interviewee in focus).

This first photo is of the telescoping boom mounted on the side of a tripod. Click to continue ›

The Lastolite Hilite is a really neat, light weight, and portable high key background that can double as a softbox. Oh, did I forget to mention what a bargain it is? It’s not really – it is more than well outside of our reach. Still, I was intrigued by the simplicity of it and the many ways it could be used for still photography and video work. (Look here to see some nifty example videos of the Hilite and high key backgrounds.) I set out to make a DIY version and not break the bank in the process.

The first attempt was to suspend two flat white sheets that were safety pinned together around the periphery over a rectangular frame at the top. Two 45 Watt second slave strobes ($25/ea) were inside on light stands ($21/ea). I have no photos but it was leaning slightly on the positive side of the spectrum between abysmal failure to resounding success. It was at least successful enough to prove out the feasibility of the DIY concept… Click to continue ›

There are lots of ways to use a large scrim, you can use it to create partial shade, reflect natural light, or fire strobes into it (from either side) for a diffused light source.

When your subject matter is really big - like say a car - you need a really big scrim if you want to create a large soft light source. Large scrims and frames can run into some serious money. This is still relevant if you shot with a Specialized Car Rig.

This guy did just that to shoot some random cars. (by this guy I mean Roberto Bigano, and by random cars I mean some Bugatti's) Click to continue ›

One of the good things about on-camera flash is that it travels with you. Sure, this on axis light gives a really terrible flat light and red eyes, but it is always with you. you'd most likely get better, more directional light from an off camera flash, but setting this up takes time and space, which You don't always have.

This is why they invented the flash brackets, and why Jerry Hamby made a PVC version of it. A flash bracket is a contraption that attaches to the camera and creates some distance between the flash and the lens. (Bye, bye red eyes).

When your flash is on a bracket you would need to trigger it and you can do so with a sync cable, a TTL cable or (if your flash supports it) trigger it wirelessly. And before the comments start poring about this, we know that the lens cap is on, this is just for illustration) Click to continue ›

What did you built for you studio this weekend? A backdrop mount? A Light Stand? A ghetto glamor contraption?

A dolly....?

If you are one of those PVC dudes (no shame in it. I am a PVC dude), you're bound to appreciate this little PVC trick that makes binding pipes a snap. (pun completely intended).

Flickr user mr-quad share a great way to make any PVC studio construction quick to setup and quick to tear down. Click to continue ›

DigitalRevTV is my kind of youtube channel.One of their latest features is an easy IKEA product photography setup shown blow, which actually shows a cheapo still life studio set and an even cheaper solution for 'simple' product photography.

I got in for a quick look and got drifted away. Now two hour of my life will never be returned. They know photography, they don't take themselves too seriously and they are not afraid of nuking - or should I say pinking - cameras, which is a sure recipe for having lots of fun. Click to continue ›

If you've been following some of the video tutorials we've had here at DIYP, you probably noticed the skateboard dolly that was featured here a few weeks back.

Photographer and videographer Martin Taylor shows us how to build a much fancier dolly which is partially based on a skateboard. This dolly however, is smaller (will fit on table), has a head mount that can support an SLR and can be set to move in circles. It's all Martin from here. Click to continue ›

One of my favorite home studio instruments is the light box. I like it for several reasons. First, I like it for the light quality that it produces. It produces light that is soft and even very much like a light tent. Only instead of lighting it from the outside, you push light from the inside.

The "walls" of the light box reflect the light source, and making it bigger, however the light quality is a bit harsher than the light tent, especially if you are using a semi reflective material such as foamboard. Light boxes are also commonly used with worklights, which are a personal fav of mine due to their low cost. Click to continue ›

Mechanical Mashup is a site to my taste. It is a new and fresh pod/video cast thing with great DIY tutorials. Lots of Photography, but also other fun hacks and ideas for the DIY lovers. And to top sugar with chocolate, you got to love those guys attitude.

One of their latest creations is a video describing how to build a PVC and coroplast continuous light system. (Videos, yup plurals,  after the jump). Click to continue ›

Wouldn't be nice if you could setup a small studio on every table? Around every plate?

Martin Kimeldorf did just this, and was kind enough to share. You know Martin. He is the master mind behind gadgets like the Light Stand Portable Backdrop Mount and the Kimel Bouncer.

The next invention by martin is kinda like the diffusion panel that we featured way, way back on the early days of DIYP, only it is way more portable, and has a build in flash mount.

It's all Martin after the jump.

Click to continue ›