dkCambridgeshire Posted September 15, 2016 Share #1 Posted September 15, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) I've recently posted an orchid image taken with the X Vario http://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/206939-leica-x-vario-photos/?p=3112005 Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Above shows the mini studio lighting set-up comprising: 1) Cobra lightbox (A4+ size) used for the high-key background - and the means to transilluminate the translucent orchid flowers. 2) Hancocks A4 'Slimlight' lightbox on RHS - propped up inside a modified cardboard box with help from a couple of wooden blocks - providing frontal and fill-in light to illuminate the orchid column/lip. 3) LHS reflector comprising a recycled, self-supporting blocks of polystyrene packaging - covered with crumpled kitchen foil (matt side up). 4) Topside reflector comprising recycled sheet of polystyrene - covered with crumpled kitchen foil (matt side up). The whole set-up on a medium sized gate-leaf table in my lounge, provides high-key but soft-ish and almost shadowless lighting - suitable for translucent flowers or other similar translucent subjects. The topside reflector not only provides subject lighting - it also blocks the residual ambient room light after pulling the blinds / curtains. The aluminium 'single steps' were bought from Maplin and are very useful in a small studio set-up for supporting / raising subjects and lights. Note also the blocks of wood; a selection of wooden blocks are useful to raise / support, subjects / lights / reflectors etc. Lightboxes were commonly used for slide sorting / viewing and can usually be purchased secondhand for ££reasonable from that well known Scottish d-d-dealer . This Hancocks lightbox is rather old and appears to have 'deteriorated' as regards colour temperature; it's light output is a little too 'warm' - but OK for the intended purpose. The background Cobra lightbox is still daylight balanced even though over 20 years old. The advantage of using polystyrene for reflectors is its weight and thickness - being lightweight enough not to damage anything if the set falls apart - and thick enough to be self-supporting. I often make an open sided polystyrene light tent using polystyrene sheets - they easily block together at 90º and with a polystyrene 'lid' and placed opposite a window, can provide a 'no cost' light tent for smallish and medium-sized subjects. A curved sheet of white card can be placed in the tent to provide a seamless background - and the light tent provides almost shadowless subject illumination. I'm not totally happy with the original orchid image posted so here's another taken using the above set-up: X Vario at the 70mm zoom setting - camera on a tripod, ISO 400, f11, 1/10 sec and with 2 second self timer. The vignette was added in post processing - to break up the otherwise too plain background. Best wishes dunk Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Above shows the mini studio lighting set-up comprising: 1) Cobra lightbox (A4+ size) used for the high-key background - and the means to transilluminate the translucent orchid flowers. 2) Hancocks A4 'Slimlight' lightbox on RHS - propped up inside a modified cardboard box with help from a couple of wooden blocks - providing frontal and fill-in light to illuminate the orchid column/lip. 3) LHS reflector comprising a recycled, self-supporting blocks of polystyrene packaging - covered with crumpled kitchen foil (matt side up). 4) Topside reflector comprising recycled sheet of polystyrene - covered with crumpled kitchen foil (matt side up). The whole set-up on a medium sized gate-leaf table in my lounge, provides high-key but soft-ish and almost shadowless lighting - suitable for translucent flowers or other similar translucent subjects. The topside reflector not only provides subject lighting - it also blocks the residual ambient room light after pulling the blinds / curtains. The aluminium 'single steps' were bought from Maplin and are very useful in a small studio set-up for supporting / raising subjects and lights. Note also the blocks of wood; a selection of wooden blocks are useful to raise / support, subjects / lights / reflectors etc. Lightboxes were commonly used for slide sorting / viewing and can usually be purchased secondhand for ££reasonable from that well known Scottish d-d-dealer . This Hancocks lightbox is rather old and appears to have 'deteriorated' as regards colour temperature; it's light output is a little too 'warm' - but OK for the intended purpose. The background Cobra lightbox is still daylight balanced even though over 20 years old. The advantage of using polystyrene for reflectors is its weight and thickness - being lightweight enough not to damage anything if the set falls apart - and thick enough to be self-supporting. I often make an open sided polystyrene light tent using polystyrene sheets - they easily block together at 90º and with a polystyrene 'lid' and placed opposite a window, can provide a 'no cost' light tent for smallish and medium-sized subjects. A curved sheet of white card can be placed in the tent to provide a seamless background - and the light tent provides almost shadowless subject illumination. I'm not totally happy with the original orchid image posted so here's another taken using the above set-up: X Vario at the 70mm zoom setting - camera on a tripod, ISO 400, f11, 1/10 sec and with 2 second self timer. The vignette was added in post processing - to break up the otherwise too plain background. Best wishes dunk ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/264561-mini-studio-for-use-with-the-mini-m-%E2%80%A6/?do=findComment&comment=3112750'>More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 15, 2016 Posted September 15, 2016 Hi dkCambridgeshire, Take a look here Mini-studio for use with the 'Mini M' … :). I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
dkCambridgeshire Posted September 15, 2016 Author Share #2 Posted September 15, 2016 … and other variations: Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! dunk Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! dunk ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/264561-mini-studio-for-use-with-the-mini-m-%E2%80%A6/?do=findComment&comment=3112806'>More sharing options...
mija1789 Posted September 15, 2016 Share #3 Posted September 15, 2016 Excellent ! Many thanks for sharing your set up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gbealnz Posted September 15, 2016 Share #4 Posted September 15, 2016 Great set up Dunk, thank you for sharing this. Nice variations too. I've used, very occasionally, a "light-tent" from an Asian seller, quite cheap, but works OK. Yours is an easier to use version I think, for example the orchid would struggle to fit into the light-tent. Well done. Gary Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkCambridgeshire Posted September 15, 2016 Author Share #5 Posted September 15, 2016 Great set up Dunk, thank you for sharing this. Nice variations too. I've used, very occasionally, a "light-tent" from an Asian seller, quite cheap, but works OK. Yours is an easier to use version I think, for example the orchid would struggle to fit into the light-tent. Well done. Gary Thank you Gary. I have a Lastolite 120cm Cubelite which should accommodate e.g. an 80cm tall potted orchid … it's on my 'to do' list but I'm not so sure that its more diffuse light will penetrate an orchid flower's column/lip as effectively as direct illumination. I'd probably need to rig up an interior light i.e. inside the Cubelight - in addition to the usual three exterior light sources - above and to the sides of the Cubelight. dunk Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkassenkunde Posted September 18, 2016 Share #6 Posted September 18, 2016 … and other variations: L1014769-(3)-rslf.jpg L1014769-(4)-rslf.jpg L1014769-(5)-rslf.jpg dunk You really know how to squeeze the best out of your equipment. Excellent job which again shows the high potential of the X Vario. From your variations I like the second one in the quoted post the most. May the colors shine much more then in real life, they come out really vivid and are much to my liking Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert blu Posted October 5, 2016 Share #7 Posted October 5, 2016 Advertisement (gone after registration) Thanks for sharing your way to work and to get such an excellent result! robert Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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