Photography Lighting Basics - any tips?

[Royal]

I think I'm getting the hang of things. My photos are getting better, but I have a few questions about lighting. Not really specific questions actually, just soliciting comments I guess.

I don't think I can set up a permanent "studio" area, so I'm looking to just use what I have on hand without a lot of fuss. I figure I'd ask what everyone does about lighting in their photos.

[Ross]

I just set something up across my table saw. Not dedicated, but gets the job done. Here is what it looks like You've seen this one before. I recommend the same t5 curly lights used for orchids of home lighting. They are available in 5000K or "full spectrum" which would be great for photos. Try 2 to 200 Watt Compact Fluorescent Bulbs : 1000Bulbs.com I use the 55 watt models in "full spectrum". These are in plain reflectors available at home depot for shop lights.

[Rosim_in_BR]

I always use natural light, Royal, especially the morning light.

[Royal]

What about direction or angle of light, shadow, etc?

[Lavendula]

um, I've never shot orchids before, but I like to take pictures and with trial and error I've figured what works for me...

figure out the angle you want to shoot from (the angle the plant/flowers look best at) - you can see in Ross's pic that he's using three lights and has his cam set up behind the lights - light the angle you're shooting from front on - nice and bright. Then grab another lamp and angle it from the side to best eliminate unwanted shadows and so that the shadow of the plant itself is falling somewhere outside of your shots. Stand behind the lights so you don't create a shadow yourself and then shoot away.

[Don Perusse]

Ross - I don't have a formal set-up either but like Mauro use only natural light in my sun room. I noticed a green background and I have been using black. Do you get better results with the green?

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Don Perusse

Ross - I don't have a formal set-up either but like Mauro use only natural light in my sun room. I noticed a green background and I have been using black. Do you get better results with the green?

Don, that's just the one that happened to be out at the time. I use Maroon, dark gray, black, and green depending on the subject. I do use green quite a bit, especially with "natives" as it tends to lend a more natural effect, in my mind. It's just what you like.

[Faz]

Originally Posted by Ross

I just set something up across my table saw. Not dedicated, but gets the job done. Here is what it looks like You've seen this one before. I recommend the same t5 curly lights used for orchids of home lighting. They are available in 5000K or "full spectrum" which would be great for photos. Try 2 to 200 Watt Compact Fluorescent Bulbs : 1000Bulbs.com I use the 55 watt models in "full spectrum". These are in plain reflectors available at home depot for shop lights.

Ross - Is that a 105mm Nikon Micro attached to your camera? Nice set up for your photos...

All the best....Faz.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Faz

Ross - Is that a 105mm Nikon Micro attached to your camera? Nice set up for your photos...

All the best....Faz.

I use one of several lenses depending on the need. I call upon a 17-35 zoom, maybe 50% of the time (really close focusing), perhaps my 60mm micro or my 85mm T/S 2.8 micro or my 105 VR micro or my 75-200 VR zoom, or my 200 micro... get the idea?

[Don Perusse]

Looks like you are really into photography. Which is devoted more time, orchids or photography? Your pictures are great but you do have a lot of lens to take care of all situations.