Discussion
As we have already decided I am no photographer, I am a chap who likes to take pictures. Therefore the ins and outs of complicated technical stuff is beyond me (although I have taken over 1800 pictures with my 40d since I got it in the summer and it has never been in auto mode!). Anyway one thing I like is close up portrait photography the issue I have is lighting.
I had a look on pal James' site and obviously it is all splendid but I really like the pictures of Roger Taylor (used to play drums for a popular beat combo called Queen).
I spoke with James who said he had used a rope light…which gave a flat and even light with great catchlights (in the eyes), he then mentioned that he had a project to make a better version.
So I hit the Internet. I found a local supplier with the following..
http://www.cybermarket.co.uk/shopscr7377.html
http://www.cybermarket.co.uk/ishop/923/shopscr4369...
So off I went, first up was the camping light, with 4x AA it is pretty bright and with a little hacking about I was able to make it fit over the lens..
I ended up removing the back and using a different battery box, I also took out the three middle lights. All very simple, the build quality is rubbish so be prepared to resolder lots then give up and replace some of the wiring.
The rope light looks like this (for anyone who has never been in a disco!)
In use the led ring gives a very harsh light, however with hardly any tweaking with Lightroom the pictures can be easily sorted (my goal was B&W!)
The rope light is a lot softer, again a little tweaking..
(note these are not a before and after!).
Amusingly enough I picked up a copy of practical photographer today , they are talking about making a ring light for £2:00, reading the article it looked like a lot more hassle than either of mine!
Finally I would like to thank H, Alf and Pops for being patient with me (in general) and apologise for blinding them all at various points during the evening
Most of my people pictures tend to be of the children so it was nice for H to stand still long enough for me to get one that she did not veto on the spot!
D
I had a look on pal James' site and obviously it is all splendid but I really like the pictures of Roger Taylor (used to play drums for a popular beat combo called Queen).
I spoke with James who said he had used a rope light…which gave a flat and even light with great catchlights (in the eyes), he then mentioned that he had a project to make a better version.
So I hit the Internet. I found a local supplier with the following..
http://www.cybermarket.co.uk/shopscr7377.html
http://www.cybermarket.co.uk/ishop/923/shopscr4369...
So off I went, first up was the camping light, with 4x AA it is pretty bright and with a little hacking about I was able to make it fit over the lens..
I ended up removing the back and using a different battery box, I also took out the three middle lights. All very simple, the build quality is rubbish so be prepared to resolder lots then give up and replace some of the wiring.
The rope light looks like this (for anyone who has never been in a disco!)
In use the led ring gives a very harsh light, however with hardly any tweaking with Lightroom the pictures can be easily sorted (my goal was B&W!)
The rope light is a lot softer, again a little tweaking..
(note these are not a before and after!).
Amusingly enough I picked up a copy of practical photographer today , they are talking about making a ring light for £2:00, reading the article it looked like a lot more hassle than either of mine!
Finally I would like to thank H, Alf and Pops for being patient with me (in general) and apologise for blinding them all at various points during the evening
Most of my people pictures tend to be of the children so it was nice for H to stand still long enough for me to get one that she did not veto on the spot!D
Edited by davidd on Wednesday 21st January 20:56
Edited by davidd on Wednesday 21st January 21:35
Who is this James you speak of, and did you mean Roger Taylor?
Without seeing photos shot with flash it's difficult to know how much better your ring lights are - certainly they seem to do a good job though.
I've been thinking about making a big wooden ring and sticking a circle of 100W bulbs in it so that I can get some funky round catchlights going on - I guess that's a ring light on steroids!
Without seeing photos shot with flash it's difficult to know how much better your ring lights are - certainly they seem to do a good job though.
I've been thinking about making a big wooden ring and sticking a circle of 100W bulbs in it so that I can get some funky round catchlights going on - I guess that's a ring light on steroids!
Ah yes, James is a very good friend who makes his living from photo and video work. And I cannot type, sorry Mr Taylor
Yes it would be a good idea to try some with the flash, I have just got a new speedlite so I need to learn to use that. What I did find with the ring was a much more even spread of light and it did seem easier to get a catchlight.
I want to make a reflector for the rope light and try to find a brighter, whiter one.
D
Yes it would be a good idea to try some with the flash, I have just got a new speedlite so I need to learn to use that. What I did find with the ring was a much more even spread of light and it did seem easier to get a catchlight.
I want to make a reflector for the rope light and try to find a brighter, whiter one.
D
Edited by davidd on Wednesday 21st January 21:38
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