DIY Photo Studio

Ever wish you could get great, photo studio quality photos, but without paying the price? With this instructable, I will walk you through the process of building a mini-studio.

Step 1: Materials

Materials Needed:
-Medium/Large Posterboard (Color of your choice, I like white)
-Desk
-Lamp with adjustable arm
-Large binder clip
-Sticky tack or Tape

Other Recommended Materials
-Camera (I used a Panasonic Lumix for this Instructable)
-Photography Subject

Step 2: Construction

Construction is very straightforward. This step will vary depending on the size of the posterboard and the type of desk you have. (Note, you could also build a setup similar to this on a floor, assuming you have a good way to provide lighting)

Step 1- Clip bottom of the posterboard to the desk with the large binder clip.
Step 2- Tack the top of the posterboard to the upper edge of the desk.
Step 3- Angle the lamp. As you are shooting pictures, you can adjust the angle so your shadow does not interfere with your work.

Step 3: Snap Away!

Now the fun part! Place whatever you are shooting in the center of the booth. The aim is to have only to only have the backdrop in the picture. You can always crop them, but I like the clean look of a solid colored backdrop.

Step 4: Conclusion

Other Tips:
-The lamp gets hot!
-If your camera has a "Macro" setting, use it! It is specifically for close ups. (The icon looks like a little flower)
-Let the camera focus. Most newer cameras have an automatic focus that can't do its job properly if you snap away while the image on the camera screen is still blurry. If it's clear on the little screen, chances are it will turn out well.

I hope you found this Instructable informative and helpful! Thanks for reading!

Comments

[instructascott]

I have a similar photo set up for my current university project and perhaps a tip to share...I use the white LED torch light from my camera phone to produce the illusion of daylight when it's 2am, works a treat! With the aperture increased on the camera, the result is a bright, modern photograph, perfect for new design concepts. I found this much better than the yellowish light you receive from most lamps.

[egbertfitzwilly]

I agree. Multiple LED bulbs are common in hardware stores and might produce a better lighting effect. Also full spectrum grow lights can be very effective in fleshing out the spectrum.

[Canadarocker]

Thanks for this going to add it to my basement when i move in to my new house.

[Phil B]

You have used a direct light from above. A softer more indirect light would soften the shadows and can be very pleasing for many subjects. Bounce your light into a white umbrella in addition to your curved white background. Or, old portrait setups used diffused light from a northern exposure. A large window opening to the north can accomplish this. You might want a large reflector on the south side of the subject to avoid strong shadows, depending on the room. Some of the old portrait studios were tents with translucent white cloth above and on the north side. The rest of the tent was an opaque cloth.

[Roketcooper]

Thanks for the imput. I'm still an amatuer at this, I was just sharing what I do =)

[Phil B]

I got interested in photography in high school. At first I concentrated on the camera and proper exposure settings. After some years I began to realize I needed to know more about how to visualize light and control it, including when to use direct light and whent to use diffuse light. There is always something more to be learned. Digital cameras and photo editing software have made everyone a better photographer.

[codester]

Nice, but you need more light. Or use a slower shutter speed.

[ll.13]

-If your camera has a "Macro" setting, use it! It is specifically for close ups. (The icon looks like a little flower)

Not many people even know what it is, if they have it on their camera, or even what it does. There's Instructables on taking macro pictures in itself. o.0