Hobby Craft A1 Foam Core for Studio Backgrounds & reflector



Teddy Taken on the Red Background

Had what feels like the longest week ever but over the weekend managed to make it to Hobby Craft that’s always good for anyone creative. While there I picked up some A1 sheets of Foam Core board that I am using for product shot backgrounds. I also picked up a bit that is reflective silver on one side and white one the other that makes for a perfect bounce card reflector for the studio, they also sell a gold one. Being rigid also makes it easy for a model to hold it when shooting clamshell light portraits. All in all well worth the trip, here are 3 photos I took to test my backdrops out.








If you are new to using reflectors you really need to have a go, as manipulating natural light is a cheap and easy way to improve your photos and learn the basics of light. There is also nothing wrong with cheaper reflectors like this one. 43" Collapsible Disc Reflector for Studio or On-Site Use 

I use reflectors like this all the time and having zip on Silver, gold, white and black panels make it perfect for most situations. A transparent centre also makes it an easy flash diffuser when other options are unavailable.

AlexAndrews

Coke Taken on the Black Background

Milk Splash



Coronet Ambassador Digital Camera Obscura

Self-Portrait With
Coronet Ambassador

After my last post I thought I would add a little about how I took digital photos with the Coronet Ambassador. Basically for these I cheated as I used a focus screen mounted on the back of the camera at the same distance from lens as the film would be. I then opened the shutter and the upside-down projection of the room was projected on the glass. I then photographed the image and rotated it in post. Yeah I know a massive cheat but what it proves is that if a digital sensor was mounted at the same point as the focus screen an in focus image would be created.

AlexAndrews
 



My Room With
Coronet Ambassador

Coronet Ambassador

Product Shot
Coronet Ambassador

When I see a vintage camera like this for only £4 I could not help but buy it. The Coronet Ambassador was created in England around 1955 and is made from metal and Bakelite. It shoots on 120 film and uses a fixed focus and small aperture to create a focus image. The only controls are a normal of bulb mode for the shutter and a green filter to enhance black and white photos.  I am yet to test this with film but when I do I will show you my results. This is the camera that inspired me to create a Camera Obscura and even if I never use it in anger it just nice owning a little of photography history.
One thing I did try was adding a digital sensor to this camera and using it like a Camera Obscura the results were interesting but need fine tuning.

AlexAndrews



Home-Made Softbox

think all photographers need to have an inventive attitude and the ability to create solutions to any problem. I have always liked making things and I am sure you will discover just how much as I develop this blog. Anyway my Uni room is small, like really small and setting up big studio equipment for little photos is a little pointless in such a small space.

Home-made Softbox

What I wanted was a small softbox for a speedlight that I could use for small product shoots. I decided I would use the same card as my Camera Obscura as it was dense and has a white side. This would be ideal for the softbox as it would reflect all usable light. I cut the card into 4 parts to make each side of my softbox and joined them using cable ties like little stiches. I them taped the joints using gaffa tape to remove light leeks. At the bottom of my softbox I left a whole that the head of my SB-900 would fit into. As a diffuser panel I used white cotton and added hooks to each corner so I could clip it to the front of my softbox. The whole product only took about an hour.

I am really happy about how this turned out and it works well as a quick light modifier when working in small spaces. Hope this helps anyone who was looking to make a softbox and please comment and link me some photos of your examples.

AlexAndrews