I use them like v-flats, the white side to reflect light and the black to absorb light.
I purchased two large foam insulation boards from Home Depot for my current studio space and painted one side of each black and one side white.
This will efficiently reflect light into shadows and is relatively cheap. Depending on the size, you could get one for $25+ on Amazon.Ī cheap version of a reflector would be a piece of white foam board or bristol board from a craft store. You can buy reflectors of different surface types (white, silver, gold) and they are fun to experiment with to see how the reflected light differs. It will allow you to bounce light into the shadows of your subject without having to add another light source. You can also use a bracket that will attach to a tripod if you already have one.Ī reflector is always a useful tool. I recommend getting something fairly sturdy, so not the cheapest option. You’ll need a light stand and a flash/umbrella bracket. A medium-size will run you about $35-40 on Amazon. Both have slightly different results (shoot-through is quite soft but more difficult to control where the light is going, whereas reflective will generally be a tiny bit harder but gives you more control in terms of the direction of light). You can buy convertible umbrellas where you can remove the black cover if you aren’t sure what you want. I recommend starting with umbrellas, either shoot-through (white translucent) or reflective (black with reflective interior). You can use bare flash, but it will be a harder, harsher type of light. You’ll likely want some want to control/soften/modify light. I would start with a couple of light sources if money allows for it, but you can do a lot with only one light. Depending on your speed light and camera, you’ll also likely need some off-camera flash triggers, which you can get cheap versions on Amazon or eBay for ~$50.
#Cheap seamless paper manual#
You can get manual speed lights for fairly cheap (~$60) if you don’t already have any. If you don’t have access to nice natural light or want to experiment with artificial light, one of the cheapest ways to get started is with speed lights. This will allow you to gain experience with light direction by changing shooting angles and the subject’s position relative to the light. The cheapest light source option is natural light! If you have a window that yields nice natural light that is close to your blank wall, that’s amazing! You’re winning at life! If you went the seamless background route, you can position the background close to a window and move it around.
You’ll also need a background stand if you go this route. If you only get one, grey is quite versatile. Seamless background paper is my go-to and you can usually get a small roll for around $50. If you have a solid blank wall in your house, maybe give that a try. In my studio, I painted one wall white and one wall grey so I wouldn’t have to always use backgrounds. The most cost-effective option is to just use a blank wall if you have access to one.
You’ll need some sort of background for your subject. Here are a few cost-efficient ideas that can help get you shooting in a studio setting without breaking the bank. Maybe you want to start doing headshots or creative portraits. Maybe you just want to try out shooting in a studio-type setting or learn off-camera flash. I started shooting in my living room and my love of studio photography grew from there. If you don’t have access to a rental studio space, you can start to build your own set-up without investing too much money. Getting started in studio portrait photography doesn’t have to be expensive.
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