'No Frills' $75.00 home studio tent/lightbox

you are right Phil. I'm still confused at how the setup is as I don't see the diffuser but do see the lights and whatever justabuyer is doing so far it is doing the job. lets see some other knives with shiny surfaces and bevels. I do notice some blue tint in the shiny areas of the pistol and knife unless they are that color naturally. will watch with interest justabuyer as I love to see what techniques others use. this is how we all learn
 
Coop, I seem to recall seeing a photo somewhere, and I believe it was you/yours, (sorry if it isn't) that showed your light box setup with a modified top. It had a cut out if you will that allows you to get in closer with your camera. I believe it was made from pvc. If it is your pic, can you post it?
 
This shot is a setup for a magazine inclusion. Everything is bogus... My cheesy smile, the enhanced brightness on the computer, me sitting down. I did it all to fit it all in and make it look like I was on-duty. Kinda.... :p

orig.jpg


What IS current is the light tent frame. I have that notch cutout to fit my head or the camera in, and it allows more coverage of the blade.

Coop
 
Thanks, Coop! That's the one. I thought I remembered seeing it but couldn't find it on this thread. There is another one here but it didn't show the cutout as well. I'm going to head out this weekend and get my stuff together to build my own little photo/light studio. Thanks to everyone who posted theirs. Lot of good ideas. Just picked up a large Rick Hinderer XM-18 with blue handle. Want to take some good pics. (also because the knife buying has got to stop or slow down, so I'll just take some nice pics of what I already have).:D
 
Coop, are you using something different for your light diffuser on the light frame? I want to use something other than white trash bags. Thinking heading to Home Depot's lighting department and see what they have in fluorescent light diffusers.
 
Yes, somewhere buried in this thread I allowed I use draftsman's acetate velum. Found at better artist supply stores. Usually in a 32" x 40" size. Paper velum works OK, too. Both better than garbage bags, but that inclusion was something EVERYONE could find in a heartbeat.

Coop
 
Coop

I am assembling my own version of this.

I have sourced both 5000K and 6500K lamps.

Is one preferable over the other, or a mix of both recommended?

Steve
 
I find 5000k has a warmer look. That's around where my strobes shoot and set my temps.

Even 'daylight' has wide variances in color temp. Early in the day and eve the lighting is much lower on the scale than 6500k. So, there is no one perfect light.

Coop
 
I've noticed that many of the better quality flourescent photo lights use 5500K or 5600K bulbs. Wescott is one example - http://www.fjwestcott.com/ BTW, Eric Eggly/Point7 did Wesott's catalog cover in 2007 and again in 2008. His images, along with those of some other great photographers, are featured throughout the catalog.
 
OK, I finally got around to updating my "photo tent/light box" and took some pics of my new Rick Hinderer XM-18 Flipper. Blue G-10 scale, 3 1/2" model.

I copied Coop's photo tent design but I used some "cracked ice" fluorescent diffuser panels from Home Depot. I used Coop's dimensions as well and I'm going to have to make it a little smaller. I bought some artist's papers at Michaels'. I went to Home Depot and bought the clamp on lights and three 100W flourescent lamps rated as daylight. I also snagged several vinyl floor tiles for 68¢ to 99¢ each. Nice additions.

So this is my first shot with the new setup and at least I'm impressed with it. Definitely better than the small store bought photo-tent or the white poster board (although I do like some of the light effects I get with it). Now to get the camera adjustments down and bone up on my Photoshop touchup skills.

Blue-XM-18-2.jpg


Blue-XM-18-Back-1.jpg


Blue-XM-18-Back-3.jpg


Blue-XM-18-Lock.jpg


Blue-XM-18-Blade-Center.jpg


Blue-XM-18-Collage.jpg


Edit: Wow! I'm looking at these pics on a PC at work and they all look overexposed and washed out. On my Mac at home they look really good. Monitors and calibration definitely make a difference.
 
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Followed Coop's design somewhat and so far it's working out great. Thanks, Coop!

Lighting:

My-Lighting-Setup.jpg


Studio setup:

My-Studio-Setup.jpg
 
I played around some more today and thought I would post a few.

XM-18 Group shot:
BlueOrange-XM-18s.jpg


Howard Viele/Liong Mah "Push":
Push-Front-View.jpg


Howard Viele/Liong Mah "Push" back view:
Push-Back-View.jpg


Closeup of Push bolster work:
Push-Bolster.jpg


Brian Fellhoelter Kwerk:
Kwerk-Front-View.jpg


Brian Fellhoetler Kwerk back view:
Kwerk-Back-View.jpg
 
I can't argue with success, and I also can't take away your smile. You are having fun, aren't you! :p ;) :thumbup: :thumbup:

Only think I could possibly improve is for you to use a fill bounce mirror or white card to get a bit more light back into the frontside. Outstanding work!

Coop
 
Thanks, Coop! I still need to figure that out. I have two 8X10 Acrylic picture frames, one with black paper and the other with a silver reflective paper. Thinking of heading to Home Depot and picking up an actual mirror tile. Any other ideas? The 8X10 seem to be a little too big.
 
The silver reflector is a great idea. My favorite is about 5" x 16" long.

Coop
 
There is always someone who has not seen this informative thread. Now it's btttt.... :)

Coop
 
What are those backgrounds made of? The red one looks like handle spacer material.

Milt
 
Milt said:
What are those backgrounds made of? The red one looks like handle spacer material.

Milt
Click to expand...
This thread is 18 pages long. Where are you referring, please?

Coop
 
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