I get more and more frustrated at the poor quality of my promotional photo's has anyone any tips on getting the most out of photo's without spending a lot of money

A few people have said to me about taking a photo in a, not sure of the name but it's like a small pop up tent. I think the idea being you dont end up with shadows as the lighting is on the outside. Will see if I can find a link.

Graham Lee

Back from my search, looks like they are called a photo tent and here's a link on how to make a DIY one.
Good luck; http://digital-photography-school.com/b ... ight-tent/

Dave - if you need to photograph individual models they look much better if you do them in a light box which is basically a frame with a sheet put inside to give a white or pastel background - rather than use direct flash, light the model through the sheet.

There are some pictures of such a set up and more details *HERE*

Alternatively a large box lined with white paper will do, this will spread the light evenly over the model you can reduce the harshness of the flash further by diffusing it with a tissue folded over it. You can use a coloured paper for the background but keep the sides white or the reflected colour will tint the whole picture

Ian

Thank you going to try both ideas next week out and post results on here.

I just spotted *this*in Maplins catalogue - for photographing small to medium models it could be worth the ten quid they're asking.

I also found a bigger model which includes 5 backdrops *here* for twenty pounds plus VAT

Well you learn something everyday, I thought I'd buy the Maplins one for a tenner. Looked up to see where a local store is & they have opened one in Sutton where I live. Didn't even know that we had one here which just goes to show how often I go shopping :lol:

without sounding like a cheapskate, wouldnt a couple of white sheets and a couple of clothes airers using pegs to hold the sheets on, do?

Maplin have this on offer, for a tenner not bad for smaller sculptures.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?Tab ... 0&doy=23m7

Quote from: "mandy"without sounding like a cheapskate, wouldnt a couple of white sheets and a couple of clothes airers using pegs to hold the sheets on, do?

It certainly would Mandy - I believe Ralph Dewey shows such an arrangement on his balloonhq site

you could even paint the inside of a large collapsible cardboard box or turn a white box inside out. I think you would be limited for size with the shop bought studios  :geek:

Just back from Maplins with the light box. Here are a couple of pictures taken with & without.
The butterflies were made this morning and have dis-coloured due to it being very hot so not sure this is a good test;

A variation;

On the pink & violet butterfly above I think the detail is much more visable,
just taken a couple of pictures of the bunny & the photo in the light box seems crisper with more detail or is it just me hoping I've not wasted £10.oo

I think they're better because there is no distracting detail n the background - very good for use on promo material websites etc - I'm tempted now