Amazing what Good Lighting Can Do! [Archive]

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LavenderCreek

2006-07-05, 3:05am

I use to take my photos in a cardboard box, lined with white paper and 2 overhead bare daylight bulbs. It was cheap and worked for about a year, now my cardboard box is disintegrating, the table clamps for the lights are broken and I had to hold the camera with on hand, steady the lights with the other and pray that the picture wouldn't come out blurry or that my lights would fall over :D

I ordered a lighting box the otherday and it came today \\:D/
Of course I immediately set it up and took some pictures.

Here is what I bought. It has top, side and underlighting, comes in a metal case for storage and I know if I would of taken to time to build something myself I might have ended up with something better, but I couldn't wait that long! This ended up costing me about $200.00
33305

This is the original image I took in my cardboard box..pictures always came out way too white cuz I had to do alot of fiddling with the brightness contrast to get rid of the green tint :(
32673

This is using the new box with just the top and side lighting, I hardly have to adjust the image at all.
33307

This one uses the top, side and underlighting.
33306

This is just underlighting
33308

I am so glad I got the underlighting, I really like the effect. The colours are true and easy to see but the image doesn't need to be so blindingly white like my old images were. The only problem now is how to stand my focals without a big lump of fimo showing. Oh, there is also a noticeable horizon line where the background filter lays against the back lip of the metal case...not sure how to fix that yet. I like the middle image but would love to know what you all think.

LavenderCreek

2006-07-05, 3:36am

Here is another picture. This on is using a grey background. I didn't have to adjust anything other than size. Also using this background got rid of that horizon line...me likey!

33310

33311

JavaGirlBT

2006-07-05, 4:49am

Teresa, it looks great!

jwelsh

2006-07-05, 4:50am

love the new pictures and old ones too! where did you get the kit at?

yeepers

2006-07-05, 5:00am

Teresa,

The pics are fantastic! Very professional and I'm sure as you tweak it you'll find that sweet spot.

Perhaps you can use one of those clear plastic display cube things (the ones with the rod in the center) to display your goddesses? You could adjust the height of the camera to eliminate the cube base and you wouldn't see the rod since it would be hidden?

I have the same problem that you used to have with the pic coming out too white after adjusting to get out the extraneous colors. I still have to tweak my setup more.

Good work!

-Yee

LavenderCreek

2006-07-05, 5:49am

Thanks for the comments you guys! I wasn't sure if the pictures were really better, or if I was just excited about the new set up. It will take a while to play and find just the right settings etc. You're right Yee. I forgot all about those cubes, do you have any idea where to find them? That's a great idea! The fimo is really tacky but it works for now.

Oh, I got this on the German Ebay. Iwas looking on the Amercian Ebay at those light cubes they are always selling in the glass bead section but they don't shipp out of the US. I got this one here:
http://stores.ebay.de/technik-und-design-Fotostudios
He doesn't ship outside of Europe though. Probably because this thing weighs a ton and shipping just within Europe is about $45.00.

yeepers

2006-07-05, 5:57am

You're right Yee. I forgot all about those cubes, do you have any idea where to find them? That's a great idea! The fimo is really tacky but it works for now.

Teresa,

I wish I had the link for the site that sells them but I just can't remember! If you search the Garage Sale I know several people had posted a ton for sale not too long ago. Perhaps the threads are still there.

Unfortunately I don't think we can get your setup here in the US. I did a quick Google search and it looks like German Ebay is pretty much the only place that has them :D I found one that was 112 euros plus shipping of 11euro or so within Europe but nothing shipping outside Europe. Boo :-({|=

Ah well, this will motivate me to really work on figuring out how to get the best out of what I've got :)

-Yee

edited: here are the Garage Sale links!
http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22301&highlight=cubes
http://www.lampworketc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22825&highlight=cubes

LampworkbyLori

2006-07-05, 11:33am

LavenderCreek

2006-07-05, 12:58pm

Thanks for the lead Yee, I'll look around now that you've reminded me of those.

Oh yeah, I completely forgot about the voltage thing! That's probably it, and also why the american one won't ship over here..duh...lol! I'm not sure who the manufacterer is, I'll look at the paperwork I got with it.

born2snooze

2006-07-05, 1:40pm

I love that new kit, wow, it does do justice on your amazing beads.. :love:

.

Gail Joseph

2006-07-05, 10:26pm

WOW, I love the setup and your photos!!! They are fabulous. I spent all last evening looking for tabletop setups, and didn't like anything. I have the square popup tent, but like your's SO much better! Here's a link to the closest thing I found. Maybe it could be adapted with an arched piece of something...??? http://cgi.ebay.com/18-White-BACKGROUND-STUDIO-Flash-Stand-Light-Reflector_W0QQitemZ280002114730QQihZ018QQcategoryZ 30079QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

LavenderCreek

2006-07-06, 12:51pm

Hi Gail, I'm still fiddling with mine today. I haven't seen anything quite like the one I have anywhere else but Ebay.de. Yeah, the one you found might work well if you rigged up some type of dome filter. Mine is made out of flexible milky white plastic about 2mm thick, maybe you could find something like that in a hardware store or something. The one you found is designed to use with a flash...but I wonder how well flash works with beads? Never tried it. Hmm, so you might also have to buy lights for it too. I'm not sure thats a good deal, but I'm no expert at this stuff.

LavenderCreek

2006-07-06, 12:59pm

Here is something I found, pretty similar but looks like higher quality than the one I have, also more expensive, but it looks pretty nice.
http://www.webphotosupply.com/pls.htm

e. mort

2006-07-07, 8:18pm

Ihre Fotos sehen sehr gut aus. Die Deutschen machen immer die besten Sachen fuer Photographie, nicht wahr?

Eric - wo es kein gutes Bier, Brot, und Wuerst gibt. :(

Kalera

2006-07-07, 8:42pm

Teresa, OMG! You have no idea how much I want one of those now, LOL! Your pictures are fabulous! Hey everyone, if you start to think that contacting the manufacturer and importing a version made for the American market, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do!

LavenderCreek

2006-07-08, 1:43am

Hey Kalera, thanks :) I've looked but I can't find a manufactorer name on the information that I got, just the name of the kit which is also on the picture above.

Geez, these can't be that hard to make, I mean someone over there should beable to put something together for you guys. That link I posted to that place in Houston has pretty similar stuff, maybe if you guys wrote and told them what you wanted, they could put something together for you?

I think it would be really expensive to build over here to American specifications and then ship over there, the price would probably go up alot and this isn't worth paying more for than I paid for it. I mean the lamps are very thin plastic, the reflectors are cardboard with velcro tabs that stick onto the lamps... They would also have to order things from the US like bulbs and convert it to 120 volt. These things are really heavy too so shipping would cost alot. I think you all should write to some places there, maybe show them the picture as an EXAMPLE of what you're wanting and maybe someone would be willing to put something together for you.

Yeah eric, the Germans have always been good with this sort of thing :) Hey, you probably write better german than I do...lol! I'm not very good at it I'm afraid.

Gail Joseph

2006-07-10, 7:58am

Here's another setup:'http://www.mkdigitaldirect.com/lighting-systems/products/mk-gem-ebox.htm

Gail Joseph

2006-07-10, 10:07am

Here's another setup:'http://www.mkdigitaldirect.com/lighting-systems/products/mk-gem-ebox.htm
Well, I just ordered this one for myself for my birthday. I hope I don't regret it! -Gail

LavenderCreek

2006-07-11, 3:26am

Gail, I think it looks really nice! I want to see pictures when you get it. Oh and Happy Birthday :)

PEtra

2006-07-11, 4:13am

Teresa, this is such a wonderful "suitcase" ... :-s ... the "new" pictures are fabulous. Would you mind to take a picture of a bigger set ...?! I'm curious how "this masterpiece" is dealing with more beads. My tiny "light box" is always showing some grey spots in the edges ... :rolleyes:

Many thanks, for posting ...!!!

LavenderCreek

2006-08-02, 12:35am

Hi PEtra, sorry I forgot about this thread! Here is a picture of a bead set.

This is using a grey background and top, side and under lighting. It gets sort of a pinkish grey in the front from the underlighting and also because the beads are purple, but I haven't figured out yet how to fix this. I am having a really difficult time with supper shiney beads. I get tons of glare but I am fiddling around with which lights to use and it is getting better I think.
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Here is a smaller set, using all the lights and a grey background. It has a more bluish tint but I guess that's because the beads are bluer, the angle is also different.
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PEtra

2006-08-02, 12:49am

THANK YOU, Teresa ... :-D

Have you figured out how BIG a set could be ... I mean ... any idea about the surface area measurements (?!) you would be able to use ... ?! 8-[
Not that I do have big sets like this ... I'm just curious (... and like to keep you goin' ... :biggrin: ... before the cozy snow flakes ... :-# )

Enjoy your day,

LavenderCreek

2006-08-02, 6:01pm

Oh you can do big stuff, like large sets of orphans with no problem. It's like a small suitcase, plenty of room and even lighting.

Back to my snow chant..."snow, snow snow, give me some snow" [-o<

Kevan

2006-08-02, 6:14pm

Teresa, what kind of stuff are you using to prop up your beads? I have tried fimo, but it has oil in it that eventually will ruin the background material. I also got some Museum Gel which is transparent, but it's too soft and has silicone or something in it, also will stain the background. Unless it's a plastic background.

LavenderCreek

2006-08-03, 8:19pm

Kevan, yeah I'm using fimo. I don't like it much but I haven't found anything else. The backgrounds are plastic so I clean them with windex. I used to have a piece of wood with a short piece of mandrel in it, then I pushed a piece of white typing paper over the mandrel so you really couldn't see it, that worked really well, but won't work with this set up.

BeadieEyedWoman

2006-08-06, 5:58pm

These guys sell the cubes!

http://cgi.ebay.com/Photo-Studio-Set-with-Light-Lighting-Soft-Box-Tent-Cube_W0QQitemZ320014103348QQihZ011QQcategoryZ79008 QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

JanMD

2006-08-10, 7:07am

Teresa -- If you are dissatisfied with all the "hot spots" (the glare flares) that you are getting on the very shiny beads, try photographing them underwater. I know this sounds goofy, but it works very well.

For that set you'll need a big shallow pan, ideally glass or translucent plastic, so as to let as much light in as possible. It also helps to put the pan on the light panel (where the light is coming up from underneath too). If you use a glass pan, you may need to line the bottom of the pan with plastic vellum. Or if you're using the graduated paper, just put it underneath the pan.

I use this underwater trick all the time with my shiny beads. I do focals, so I just have to deal with a small shallow plastic water container. Try it with a focal and you'll be amazed how much glare is eliminated.

JanMD

LavenderCreek

2006-08-11, 2:06am

Thanks Jan! I need to try that because it is really frustrating me. I did try it once but I used an older glass bowl and I could see the scratches in the bottom of the bowl, I think I will buy a new bowl just for photographing. Thanks so much for reminding me about this trick!

Shawn T

2006-09-07, 9:16am

Would love to know if anybody ever found anything like Teresa'a wonderful box in the US?
Also Gail how has your light box turned out? Got any pic to show?

Jeri

2006-09-07, 2:34pm

I just noticed this thread, but I have the cubes in stock and you can PM me or look on my site, www.jeribeads.com

I am in pursuit of a Teresa-type photo setup. I need something failproof. Jeri

Gail Joseph

2006-09-07, 2:51pm

Would love to know if anybody ever found anything like Teresa'a wonderful box in the US?
Also Gail how has your light box turned out? Got any pic to show?
I'm LOVING my light box! My only problems were when I was trying to photograph cane paddles, and couldn't close the trap door. It finally dawned on me to hold some white cardboard up to cover the "doorway". And I noticed just yesterday that I could turn off two little lights in the ceiling, and that eliminated the last bit of glare.

Keep in mind that I'm STILL not even trying to sell beads, just get decent photos of frit, cane and sample beads, and put almost no effort into it, other than setting the white levels on my camera, and then cropping the photo (and sometimes lightening it).

Here are a couple of recent photos:
40438 (my newest COE 104 frit blend "Zanzibar"--it will be on the site later tonight)
40439 This is "Think Pink" another new COE 104 frit blend
I can't say enough good things about my little box!!!-Gail

Shawn T

2006-09-08, 7:51am

I just noticed this thread, but I have the cubes in stock and you can PM me or look on my site, www.jeribeads.com (http://www.jeribeads.com)

I am in pursuit of a Teresa-type photo setup. I need something failproof. Jeri

:wave:

Hey Jeri,
Just wanted to wave to you again, we had tables back to back at the Gathering Bead Bazaar. Hope you had a wonderful Show. It was so Nice to meet you.
Shawn