Carving Photography Set-Up

[Lynn O. Doughty]

If anyone is interested, here is a picture of my photo studio layout I use when making photos of my carvings. It works pretty good as I use this same setup when taking photos for my magazine ads. With a little desktop editing I can produce a picture just as good as the professionals...at least I think so. The great thing is that I do it on a really cheap budget!

The light stands are made from some plywood squares, PVC pipe and a light reflector you can buy at Walmart. I did go to a Camera shop and buy some cloth diffusers (sp?) for each light to cut the shadows. Think they cost about $10.00 each. To keep the cloth away from the light I made a collar out of aluminum flashing about 4" wide. The bulbs are as follows.

Cool Light- Buy this one at the Camera shop. 200w flo-tube lasts forever and costs around $20.

Warm Light- Buy this flo-tube at Walmart. Think mine is 150w. Costs about $5.00. Get two. These bulbs are not like the old Photo-Flood blue bulbs..they don't get hot and they last forever!!!

I also bought a roll of gray photo backdrop paper for $36.00 but you can get buy with using the large sheets of colored posterboard you can find at Hobby Lobby. Get several different colors...dark for light carvings...light for dark carvings. I clamp the posterboad in a carpenters vise at the end of the workbench behind the carving. Keep about 2-3 feet between the carving and the board to keep the shadows down.

The light to the right is the Cool one and the one on the left and behind the carving is warm. This give a pleasing effect. All cool would be too blue and all warm would lean to the yellowish side. Just move the lights around to get the best setup. If you're using a digital camera this is a snap as you can see what you're doing as you do it. DON'T USE THE FLASH ON THE CAMERA. Not needed with the new digital cameras.

I put the carving on a little stand I made that has a 1 1/2" dowell painted black. This way I can edit that completely out on the computer making the carving "float". Looks great when printed.

USE A TRIPOD!!! You want that camera rock steady when you push the button. Take a few experimental shots and check them out on the computer to see how they look. Once you've got it right fire away.

Good Luck!!

[Lynn O. Doughty]

That little face in the text is supposed to be "cool".

[mwilleson]

Thanks for the ideas Lynn. My photos to date have not been very good. Now I've got some ideas to try.

[squbrigg]

Lynn that is an excellent set up. Light defusers, that's what I'm missing. I use two tripod mounted photo lights, not sure what the bulbs are, (daughter is the photographer not me) but I like your idea of the defusers. I appreciate the pointers, thank you. You take great shots of your amaizing work.

Bob

[jax]

Thanks for the tips....next to your set-up I'm still in the "dark ages". I'm still using a SLR Minolta, hand held!!

Jax.

[Lightningbolt]

Thanks for taking the time for sharing this very helpful information! Getting those good, clear pictures are sometimes so elusive.

I've tucked this one away in a file for future reference. Glad that I didn't miss this one!

[Flint]

Hey Lynn, thanks for this post.
Great setup ideas but I can't see the photo . Did the forum eat it?

Flint

[Bill]

Lynn

I am interested in setting up Photo Set-up that you wrote about, however I can't find the pictures that you were talking about. If it wouldn't be to much trouble can you post them or tell where I can find them already posted.
Thanks Bill