Golden Nugget:building a softbox...a reflector,etc

[natatbeach]

thought this was too good to pass up...looks like it all works in theory... and good for those do it yourselfers.

have it bookmarked to try in a few weeks..http://www.testshoot.com/home.asp

[Asylum Steve]

nat,

Yeah, I've visited that site before. Some pretty good info. Just don't look at his "model" shots. Yech!...

Personally, I think if you're gonna build some cheap home lighting equipment, you're much better off making light panels out of pvc than that softbox he describes.

Attaching that thing to a flash head is tougher than he makes it sound. It should be light tight and you must be able to move the flash as well as the stand around easily. There's also heat build up from your modeling lights.

Plus to tear the box down between shoots would be a real drag. A "real" softbox collapses down to a small cylinder, making it easy to store.

Three light panels would be cheap and easy to make. You have the one in front of the flash translucent, the other two on the sides with black fabric. Instant soft box, but a set up you can quickly change or store when you're not using it...

[natatbeach]

PVC as in plumbing pipes and elbows? that's what I was thinking....

I agree on his "modeling" shots kinda amteurish and well harsh blea was right...just thought it was interesting info ;)

Thanks for the tips

[Asylum Steve]

Yeah the stuff is cheap and cuts easily. Just use a little planning to figure out the joints and angles (don't forget the panels need "feet": a t-joint along the bottom piece with another small piece at a right angle).

What I did was look at the commercially available panels and just note how they were made. If you plan to use pre-made fabric panels just make sure the size of your stand is the same size.

PVC as in plumbing pipes and elbows? that's what I was thinking....

I agree on his "modeling" shots kinda amteurish and well harsh blea was right...just thought it was interesting info ;)

Thanks for the tips

[natatbeach]

what would be more cost effective?

buying ready made panels or going to the fabric store and finding 45-60" width material and making them...

if you say make it what material would you recommend?

Thnaks for letting pick your brain...I was bit start struck when I rechecked out your site and realized you've been around the block and back photographically speaking...if that's the case for any other areas of life...I don't want to know(covering my ears lala alalalalala)

seriously though...impressive credentials...

[Asylum Steve]

...for the nice comments.

Just don't believe everything you read...

[natatbeach]

Just don't believe everything you read...

and that means not everything on there is true...can I copy and paste all your credentials an possibly like 90% percent of your pics and put them on my site...???and pretend their mine


hey it was worth a shot

[Asylum Steve]

and that means not everything on there is true...

Not so. There are NO LIES on my site...

Let's just say there's the MAN and there's the MYTH, and they're not always one and the same.

Put it this way: when it comes to resumes, you keep the best and toss the rest...

And even if a bio section is completely true, it still leaves out an awful lot about a person's life. Truth is (and I should probably be telling this to a shrink), the last five or so years have had me wondering whether I'm a success or a failure.

Despite a nice "brag sheet", it's often a fine line... ;)

[mtbbrian]

I made a light box like this once. LONG time ago.
I got the instructions from those "Fine Light" books from Dean Collins. Remember him?
I had the whole series, I sold them to Joe Blake, posts as JBlake.
As I recall, you can buy material that is already made to the size. With elastic corners and all that.
It is a great light box.
Good Luck with it Nat!
Brian