$30 Photo Studio Setup (lights)

A while back I converted a spare bedroom into a photography studio. I have moved and given away the lights, but wanted to share the cheap and easy to make setup.

The 2 light stands cost me $31 (total for both) including the clamp lights. They are made out of PVC and 3/4" dowels.

You can point the lights in any direction, and move them any distance from the floor, up to about 74" high.

Step 1: Tools-n-parts

Tools needed:
- Saw (to cut wooden dowels and PVC pipe)
- Pocket knife or boxcutter
- Hammer, sidewalk or cement floor

All parts are available at Lowe's, Home Depot, etc. (I also hit a dollar store)

Parts needed to build 2 light rigs:
- Three 3/4" dowel rods
- One piece of 3/4" x 10' PVC pipe
- Two PVC couplings (3/4")
- Six PVC tee intersections (3/4")
- 2 small C clamps (just big enough to clamp onto dowel) (I got mine at dollar store)
- String or small chain
- 2 cheap brown electrical extension cords

Comments

[SGutshall]

As the author has stated, photos taken in this setup would be irrelevant. Quality of light in a photo is determined by:

bulb type
diffuser presence
filter presence

None of these are the subject of this Instructable. This is about building a basic lighting setup which is easily customized to fit the individual's needs.

Stop asking for example shots. You're missing the point.

[mattthegamer463]

Yeah but how well they work for lighting purposes is the most important reason for building them. Can't even post your best photo? Or just take a test shot of a hat on a broomstick or something, just to showcase the light and colour temperatures.

[frollard]

White balance is all a trick anyway, so colour temperature these days doesn't matter much. Light quality is down to the bulb, filter, and diffuser.

[mattthegamer463]

I still wouldn't mind seeing the shadows produced by these diffusor-less lights, with small reflectors.

[beetlewing]

It's a BASIC setup for 30 bucks. If you want pro, don't use these - it's that simple. Being a Photoshop guy rather than a photographer, this allowed me to do simple setups cheaply, that were better than taking a picture in my kitchen or bathroom.

Showing any photos I've taken with these lights is impossible, for 2 reasons:

1. As mentioned in the beginning, this was a setup from several years ago. I had it about a month and then gave them away as I had to move and purge anything not absolutely needed.

2. All photos I took were then massively altered in Photoshop, to be used in surreal art. I'm not a photographer - I'm an artist.

Feel free to upgrade any or all of this setup to your obviously superior standards, or don't.

[mattthegamer463]

You don't need to get angry, I just thought it made sense to see some pictures taken with it.

[seolfor]

Not a bad setup. I use something similar, and I am a photographer and artist. I also use a set of dual mounted halogen work lights. I understand the need for something quick, portable, and easily stored, especially if you don't have a professional studio where you can set up. Good job.

[mattthegamer463]

Can we see some pictures taken with this setup?

[beetlewing]

I don't think it'd be fair to judge the rigs by my photography skills, or lack thereof. :)