light tent problems
Jan 3, 2012 14:15:30 #
Chuck
Loc: North Carolina
I built a light tent for some of my macro subjects. My question is , how can I get enough light to avoid using a ring flash? I have the sides , front and top open but diffused with white cloth and I am using lamps with 40 watt bulbs to light the sides and black cloth as my back drop.
Jan 3, 2012 14:23:44 #
You cold try lighting the object with a flashlight. I use a small penlight for my work. The light is smaller and not as harsh as a big 3 or 5 D-cell type light.
Jan 3, 2012 14:47:43 #
Jan 3, 2012 14:50:59 #
Chuck
Loc: North Carolina
I tried shooting my wifes wedding rings. the box is really simple construction. 20"x20" with open side, top and front. Ill take a pic and post it asap. thanks
Jan 3, 2012 15:19:00 #
Chuck wrote:
I built a light tent for some of my macro subjects. My question is , how can I get enough light to avoid using a ring flash? I have the sides , front and top open but diffused with white cloth and I am using lamps with 40 watt bulbs to light the sides and black cloth as my back drop.
Take a piece of white cardboard and cut a hole the diameter of the lens barrel of the camera lens. Place the lens through the hole. This should give you a flat reflector and enable you to control light falling on the front of your subject.
Jan 3, 2012 15:21:33 #
Jan 3, 2012 15:25:16 #
Chuck wrote:
Thanks Ed, Ill give it a try tonight.
You're welcome, and best of luck.
Jan 3, 2012 15:27:15 #
Ed's reflector should go a long way.
One trick I learned was to add a point source light to help make it sparkle. Light tents sometimes flatten things out too much. If you have room, try it. Probably get best results from above and just behind, kind of like a hair light.
One trick I learned was to add a point source light to help make it sparkle. Light tents sometimes flatten things out too much. If you have room, try it. Probably get best results from above and just behind, kind of like a hair light.
Jan 3, 2012 15:30:36 #
Jan 3, 2012 15:40:56 #
GoofyNewfie wrote:
Ed's reflector should go a long way.
One trick I learned was to add a point source light to help make it sparkle. Light tents sometimes flatten things out too much. If you have room, try it. Probably get best results from above and just behind, kind of like a hair light.
One trick I learned was to add a point source light to help make it sparkle. Light tents sometimes flatten things out too much. If you have room, try it. Probably get best results from above and just behind, kind of like a hair light.
Especially with macro work, it should be easy to avoid flare from a point source. Great idea!
Jan 3, 2012 15:43:51 #
(I did some assisting for a commercial photog who shot for a BIG jewlery company here in KC)
Jan 4, 2012 06:02:52 #
Also remember that if you are using daylight as well as using things like anglepoise lamps for additional lighting that you need to set your white balance to daylight and place a blue filter over the lights. Otherwise you will have a devil of a time getting the white balance right with mixed light sources. I bought some sheets of photo gel which I use, they were quite cheap and make it so much easier to get the colours right.
Jan 4, 2012 11:34:09 #
GoofyNewfie wrote:
Ed's reflector should go a long way.
One trick I learned was to add a point source light to help make it sparkle. Light tents sometimes flatten things out too much. If you have room, try it. Probably get best results from above and just behind, kind of like a hair light.
One trick I learned was to add a point source light to help make it sparkle. Light tents sometimes flatten things out too much. If you have room, try it. Probably get best results from above and just behind, kind of like a hair light.
Great advice. It's one of the reasons I look at this site each day.
Jan 4, 2012 11:40:46 #
Jan 4, 2012 11:42:34 #
I use a couple of portable clamp lamps, with the 60w equivalent (15w) curly fluorescent bulbs. I buy mine from a local hardware dealer (Lowes), in daylight balance (5000k). I can get four packs for around $6, that's a real bargain considering the cost of studio lamps. And I do not have to worry about white balancing.
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