I've been researching what it would take to get some studio lights in my house without spending thousands of dollars on a pro setup. What I found was surprising. I could do it for under $75 with items that you can commonly find online or even Home Depot / Lowes. Heck you may already have some of these items, making things even cheaper.
What you'll need:
Total: $71.17 (minus optional floor light)
Set things up
The setup is relatively simple. Bright lights behind a bed sheet for defused, soft, natural light. You'll more than likely want to use this in conjunction with some other kind of bounce flash, off camera flash, or catch light. The floor light linked to above can light your background or you can use it in different combinations with the reflector.
First you'll want to set things up. Assemble the lights, the clothes rack, and drape the bed sheet over the cloths rack. Use the spring clamps to secure it.
For the gels you'll want to cut them to slightly bigger than the light. Do this with the light off! Cut triangles out of the corners for it to wrap around the light properly. Do NOT put the gels directly on the light glass or housing - put it around the protective cage only. I would recommend masking tape to secure things. I looked up the temp rating on the gels linked to above and they will go to 356 degrees fahrenheit (180 celsius). You should be okay, but I would watch carefully for melting just to be sure. I checked the temperature on the housing (not the protective cage) of my light with a thermal gun and it maxed at 250 degrees.
Alternative lighting options
There is a slightly more expensive alternative to the work lights above. CFL lights. They will be more daylight like, cooler, use less energy, and won't require gels. The solution would involve buying something like this:
Total:
For 2 lights ~400 watts light output: $61.13
For 4 lights ~800 watts light output (discount for package of 4): $101.07
OR
With this lighting solution you can do away with the sheet and clothes rack and go straight to umbrella. This is a little cleaner and a lot less DIY
Total: $84.15
OR
A complete package with 3 CFL bulbs, umbrellas, stands, and holders: Amazon.com: CowboyStudio Photography/Video Portrait Umbrella Continuous Triple Lighting Kit with Three Day Light CFL Bulbs, Three Stands, Two Umbrellas, and One Carrying Case For Product, Portrait, and Video Shoots: Camera & Photo
Note: this option will not give you as much light output as the above options
Total: $59
Experiment!
Turn on the lights! Play around with the positioning of your subject, flash and reflectors. See what works best for what you are trying to accomplish.
Try something like this perhaps:
Notes
Post your results!
What you'll need:
- Work lights, like these: Amazon.com: Designers Edge L14SLED 1000-Watt Twin-Head Adjustable Work Light with Telescoping Tripod Stand, Halogen: Home Improvement
- Floor light (optional), like this: Designers Edge L33 Portable Halogen Work Light with Switch, Orange, 500-Watt - Amazon.com
- Light gel: Amazon.com: Lee Full Blue (CTB), 20" x 24" Color Correcting Lighting Filter: Camera & Photo
- Masking tape
- Clothes rack, like this: Amazon.com - Whitmor 6021-3539-BB Adjustable Garment Rack
- Spring clamps, like these: Amazon.com: Neiko 4-Piece 4-Inch Spring Clamps with PVC Coated Handle and Tips: Home Improvement
- White bed sheet
- Reflective sunshade, like this: Max Reflector Standard Accordion Shade : Amazon.com : Automotive
- A box, or flash stand to prop/clip the reflector to
Total: $71.17 (minus optional floor light)
Set things up
The setup is relatively simple. Bright lights behind a bed sheet for defused, soft, natural light. You'll more than likely want to use this in conjunction with some other kind of bounce flash, off camera flash, or catch light. The floor light linked to above can light your background or you can use it in different combinations with the reflector.
First you'll want to set things up. Assemble the lights, the clothes rack, and drape the bed sheet over the cloths rack. Use the spring clamps to secure it.
For the gels you'll want to cut them to slightly bigger than the light. Do this with the light off! Cut triangles out of the corners for it to wrap around the light properly. Do NOT put the gels directly on the light glass or housing - put it around the protective cage only. I would recommend masking tape to secure things. I looked up the temp rating on the gels linked to above and they will go to 356 degrees fahrenheit (180 celsius). You should be okay, but I would watch carefully for melting just to be sure. I checked the temperature on the housing (not the protective cage) of my light with a thermal gun and it maxed at 250 degrees.
Alternative lighting options
There is a slightly more expensive alternative to the work lights above. CFL lights. They will be more daylight like, cooler, use less energy, and won't require gels. The solution would involve buying something like this:
- Light housings: Bayco SL-302B3 10-1/2-Inch Brooder Clamp Light with Porcelain Ceramic Socket - Amazon.com
- CFL bulbs (45 watts = ~200 watts of regular bulb output): Amazon.com: Full Spectrum Light Bulb - ALZO 45W CFL 5500K - Daylight balanced - 2800 Lumens: Camera & Photo
- Some creative clipping to a flash stand, like this: Amazon.com: Fotodiox Compact Light Stand, 6'5" Stand with Spring Cushion for Studio Strobe and Lighting Fixtures: Camera & Photo
Total:
For 2 lights ~400 watts light output: $61.13
For 4 lights ~800 watts light output (discount for package of 4): $101.07
OR
With this lighting solution you can do away with the sheet and clothes rack and go straight to umbrella. This is a little cleaner and a lot less DIY
- 2 105 watt CPF bulbs (~800 watts of regular bulb output): Amazon.com: CowboyStudio Set of Two 105 Watt, 5000 K Fluorescent Daylight Balanced Light Bulb for Photography and Video Lighting: Camera & Photo
- Bulb & umbrella holder: Amazon.com: Studiohut DOUBLE AC Flash Light Stand Swivel Mount with Umbrella holder: Camera & Photo
- Stand: Amazon.com: Fotodiox Compact Light Stand, 6'5" Stand with Spring Cushion for Studio Strobe and Lighting Fixtures: Camera & Photo
- Umbrella: Amazon.com: CowboyStudio 33 inch Black and Silver Photo Studio Reflective Umbrella: Camera & Photo
Total: $84.15
OR
A complete package with 3 CFL bulbs, umbrellas, stands, and holders: Amazon.com: CowboyStudio Photography/Video Portrait Umbrella Continuous Triple Lighting Kit with Three Day Light CFL Bulbs, Three Stands, Two Umbrellas, and One Carrying Case For Product, Portrait, and Video Shoots: Camera & Photo
Note: this option will not give you as much light output as the above options
Total: $59
Experiment!
Turn on the lights! Play around with the positioning of your subject, flash and reflectors. See what works best for what you are trying to accomplish.
Try something like this perhaps:
Notes
- You may have to adjust your white balance depending on how well the gels change the color of the shop lights.
- The gels will reduce the total light output, so you will have to compensate on your camera to get the proper exposure.
- The lights will get HOT and can easily heat up a room. Do not place them too close to the sheet. Turn them off when not needed .
- Have a remote flash handy? Skip the hot lights completely and just use flash behind the sheet (or in the umbrella, if you went with that option - be sure to get the flash bracket). Be sure to try adjusting the output for the desired effect.
Post your results!
