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video: episode 4 , the mother of all stick in a can lighting vids

12 April 2008 11 Comments

Let’s take the DIY lighting videos a step farther than in part 1: it’s time for a bigger setup and what I like to call “the mother of all stick-in-a-can videos”. You’ll know why once you watch it. I’ve realized there’s more to these pieces than setting a wooden stick in concrete and attaching diffusion material to a wooden frame, so in a few days I’ll post either a video or text on how to best make them and where to get the right materials.

Now it’s off to spend time with the family today. I hope you enjoy the video…
- Jim T.

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11 Comments »

  • Peter Bryenton said:

    Great ideas for low-budget studio setups., thanks.

    Getting it straight, level & square more quickly:

    mark all your stick-in-a-cans, measuring up from the floor. They’ll look like rules in an ID parade or a police mug shot, but it helps you can clamp at the same height or distance first time when building.

  • Jim Talkington said:

    Ahhh…marking the sticks with heights: great idea. If you add it all up, over the course of the years that would have saved me days spent nudging and squaring things up. Thanks for the tip!

  • mike said:

    These vids are great. Thanks for taking the time to do them.

    I would love to see how you do a product shot on a lightbox. I’ve seen products shot this way but can never duplicate it.

  • Peter Bryenton said:

    Jim T: these videos have inspired me too to make some, after I move house & lightroom.

    Meanwhile, here’s a way of using lightboxes as soft sources:

    http://peterbryenton.typepad.com/intervallic/2007/03/two_green_bottl.html

  • Peter Bryenton said:

    Sorry, I misread a line. My lightbox reply was to Mike.
    Oops, Peter.

  • Joel said:

    Great information on this site

    Joel from France

  • Nancy said:

    What material do you use for your screen?

  • Jim Talkington said:

    Hi Nancy, you’ll find more info on the screens and stick-in-a-cans here:

    http://prophotolife.com/2008/04/22/technical-more-sticks-screens-and-bulbs/

  • DIY Bamboo Light Stand — DiyPhotoBits.com — A few bits and pieces about photography said:

    [...] one good solution to keep Strobist from hurting your wallet is the Stick in a Can, click that link and watch the video if that name doesn’t mean anything to you, but [...]

  • dong said:

    Great idea.
    Thanks

  • BradP said:

    Jim,

    Would this lighting setup work for a beginner just getting started at in-home portrait photography? I don’t have any fancy lights or a lot of money available, so up until I now I have been doing all of my portraits at home using available window light. I would like to set up a small studio using this equipment if you think it would work for people too.

    Thanks!

    Brad

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