This is an cheap way to take excellent photos of a model. I thougt I first found this on ML but I can't find the original post

http://strobist.blogspot.com/2006/07/how-to-diy-10-macro-photo-studio.html
The website looks interesting but I haven't investigated it in any detail.

Ironically I was looking for some kind of remote monitor ability for my EOS camera last night on eBay and elsewhere and voila... it's in the video on the bottom of the page!

I just bought one of those inexpensive macro studios off ebay for $60 or so. The lights are awful. The portable diffuser is nice and I will use that. But I ended up going out and buying 2 cheap clamp lights and 150 bulbs to go with them. I should be posting some photo reviews later today with photos from this setup.

Cheers,
Jim

Thanks Pat. I've been thinking of making my own lightbox for a while now (the local photo shops are a real rip off) and this cheap option will certainly help.

Rudi

That is a great idea. I be conducting raids on the local dumpsters until I find the right size box then get right on making one of these. Thanks for sharing.

That is great. I invested in a Nikkon D80 so I can learn to take nice pictures of my wives pottery and eventually get some of her work published. This looks like a nice set up I can use for that.

Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Pat.

The link is great. I built one and it works great. I posted some images in the CC forum to give it a go. Thank you

In a world where the photos are the model, a setup like this is a must and it can fit literally any budget. Couple of student-style clamp goose-neck lamps with good bulbs and you're good to go, especially if you need something that can be broken down quickly if space is a factor vs. leaving a semi-permanent setup. Great link Pat, thanks for sharing.

I have one of the fold up macro studios Jim has with the reversible blue/grey background which I got for €25 (Without the lights) I still find it most useful on a sunny day outside. The set up in the link is close to what I used before.

I made this setup from items which were inexpensive and readily available at the local hardware/home store.




The whole project was under $50 USD. It works very well too.

That looks perfect Gerald. You're lucky to have the space for a permanent set up like that.

Pat
The best part it all collapses down for easy storage. The lights even come apart most of it fits in a handheld tool box. I recently toted it to a club meeting to take pictures of the models at the meeting.

Everything used to make it was on 'sale'. I think the most expensive parts were the light bulbs which are compact fluorescents. They cost about $7.00 USD each.

PVC pipe
PVC connectors
(3) 24watt bulbs (100 watt output color correct)
(3) work lamps
1 White Bed Sheet
1 Extension Cord w/triple outlets
1 Roll Background Paper

Thanks for the post/link pat. can't wait to make one of these babies

Thats the set up I need to make for home. My wife needs some good quality images of her pottery and that set up will work for both of us.

Too bad the factory I worked at closed, I could have gotten more than enough cloth for my booth from there.

Another variation I created using the same components plus a few other things I had on hand, used to do larger items.



This setup allowed me to photograph the Graf Zeppelin which is too big for a conventional table top setup.


Again, it all collapses down to take up less space.'


When you assemble your framework out of PVC, do not glue it up. This will allow you to make various configurations with the resources at hand. All of the short PVC pipe sections and fittings can be stored in a tote, any longer pieces will tuck away in the back corner of a closet or under a bed.