Tuesday, April 28, 2009

DIY Photography Lamps

I always have problem taking my food pictures especially what I cook for dinner. I depend a lot of natural lightings and during fall and winter that is hard to come by. The sun will set by 4.00pm and my dinner will be done only around 6.30pm. Most of the pictures I took will either come out too dark or too bright if I use the flash.

Amazon.com does sell the Pro Lowell Ego Set but they were too expensive. It cost close to $300.00 for set and it is not worth investing so much money on it since I blog only as a hobby. Carlos went and bought me a small mini studio but I am not too happy with it. I have been nagging him for the longest time to make me a simple lighting since he has all the tools to make it. I show him something I saw on Jugalbandi blog and I am sure he can make it in no time since it’s pretty simple. But knowing Carlos if I want him to make something it is either a proper one or not making it at all.

With some wood and a few other materials this is what he presents to me when I came back from Malaysia. What do you think? Pretty awesome, isn’t it!! THANK YOU SWEETIE.

Getting ready the wood for the lamps



Cutting, drilling, .......




Adjustable height for the light.
Using two different kind of light bulbs. The one on the left is Ego bulb bought from Amazon.

All ready to go.

Here is where I put all my photography props. A permanent spots at the basement.

16 comments:

Geraldine said...

wow... Gert you sure are lucky to have a very crafty hubby. Looking forward to seeing even nicer photos... your food always look delicious and now I'll want to put my hands through my screen and reach out for your food.

Salt N Turmeric said...

You guys basically have your own personal Home Depot at home! Carlos is really serious about his workshop. I think i need to get the LED bulb.

Beachlover said...

wah!!...Carlos really make your lamp set look so pro!! so cool!lagi boleh tarik up and down one...huh? Must show it to Eliot,ask him to modified my lamp set again..so much props but nicely arrange ,not like me sumbat here and there!! U really buy the Nyonya tea set home from Msia!!

ICook4Fun said...

JOAT, thank you. Hubby is very crafty and handy too. He fix everthing at home :)

Farina, you are right. My basement is like mini Home Depot. Once he finish cleaning and clearing up everything I take a pix to show it to you. Sekarang is still very messy :) Since the weather is good I still use natural light to take my pix. This lamp is more for winter.

Lesley, thank you. I will tell Carlos that :) Yeap I hand carry the nyonya set all the way from Malaysia :)

Geraldine said...

Gert, maybe Carlos can make a few more and sell online. Since he has made one, he would be able to make the rest even faster.

Cat Cat said...

Great job Carlos. Gert, I'm very impressed with your food photography. With all the servings set, a good camera and now lightings - you are a pro now.

Elin Chia said...

Gert, you are so blessed! So must sayang Carlos more....sure sayang more hor since you cook delicious food for him everyday..:)

I agree with Cat, you are becoming a pro now :)

Little Corner of Mine said...

Wow, you ladies are serious. I have no props and no special lighting equipment too. I agreed, the food pictures I took during winter suck big time, either yellow or over exposed. Carlos really pro lah, your lighting sets look so pretty and store-bought quality.

Oh by the way, did you happen to take pictures of the farewell party you threw for Ray & Soo? Can share pictures and story here or not? Me kay poh lah!

ICook4Fun said...

JOAT, do you want to buy one :) :)

Cat, thank you. The new camera has a lof of functions so I need to learn how to use it. Now it just on Auto and Macro mode. I am planning to take some photography lesson soon.

Elin, yea I am really bless to have Carlos. I memang very sayang him :)

LCOM, thank you. What to do. During fall and winter my photography sucks!! Everything turn out grainy and dark. I only took a few pictures during the farewell party. Lets wait for Ray to send his and then I will post it up :)

Geraldine said...

Gert, if I blog alot about food.. I wld definitely buy one. Sigh... I'm not discipline lah... everytime food on the plate... all food gone before I realize I shd take a photo of it hehehehehe

BTW.. Carlos looks abit like Jay Leno.

ICook4Fun said...

JOAT, you are not the first person who said he look like Jay Leno. Wish we have JL kind of money ha ha ha..

Zue Murphy said...

Very nice props. Pandai Carlos buat.

Joanna said...

OOh wow, all the props are eye candies! Only recently have I developed an interest in pretty porcelain. When I was younger I would still follow mum around her shopping but then the only thing I was interested in then was the "pling!" that accompanies plates smashing to the floor...it's no wonder my mother banned me from those sections.. Nice lights too btw. =)

cre8tone said...

DIY!!!!! Wow! Great job!

ICook4Fun said...

Zue, dia memang pandai buat tapi took a bit of time to finish it saja :)

Joanna, ha ha..scary isn't it. I am sure your mom watch you like a hawk just to be sure you don't break anything.

LPM, thank you.

SueSue said...

I shown it to my hub and he told me no way he is going to do that for me. Hahaha... u know wat he told me.... Go and buy one faster. Haizzz