My Redneck Photo Studio

[Draggon]

Although my parents were from Michigan, there must be some red in my roots, as I always gravitate to duck tape and hose clamps. Photography is my nemesis even tho my dad was for a time a professional photographer. Witness my photo studio. Actually I am sorta proud of it, simple, easy to set up, and when down, takes up no room. A fleece blanket anchored by two pillows, my high-end 30 buck tripod, and my top of the line Nixon coolpix 18. Whoot whoot! I still have to work on the lighting, I think my son's floor lamp placed behind the photography surface, um, I mean the couch, would help a lot. And thanks to Casey for those awesome slots that make this project!!

[Dr. Cranky]

That's pretty darn simple. Thank goodness for digital photography.

[Sixx]

What ever works...your pics ARE clear on my screen!!!

[eizzle]

I love it! Nothing like backwoods engineering.

[Guest]

Naa, you ain't no redneck Glenn,you still a city slicker. Rednecks ain't nowhere near that high falootin'. We dang shore don't use no fancy shmancy tri pod thang-a-ma-jigs neither.

[cobraman]

Photos look good.

[Brian_B]

Redneck would be more like using a crayon and a notpad to draw a pic of the model.

[Draggon]

Thanks guys !

[Deathgoblin]

Good idea!

[slusher]

Works fine, very clear on my screen.

[Draggon]

I'm gonna work on the lighting. I tried my son's floor lamp but didnt get the effect I was after. And I did resist the urge to duct tape my shop lite to the wall, though hose clamping it to the floor lamp might work!

[Guest]

I now take my photos outside on my concrete front porch steps. The lighting is always right and I can crop my photos easily. I just set my model on a step and shoot away. No setting up a background or fooling around with lights! I never have been able to take decent inside photos IMO because the lighting never seems right.

[Draggon]

I now take my photos outside on my concrete front porch steps. The lighting is always right and I can crop my photos easily. I just set my model on a step and shoot away. No setting up a background or fooling around with lights! I never have been able to take decent inside photos IMO because the lighting never seems right.

Thanks Roger! In the meantime, here is my step ladder and shop lite OOPS! I mean pee-row-fess-ee-o-nall ( pronounced with Mr. Haney's accent ) lighting arrangement!

First shot too bland

Second shot neat, but too much contrast

More thinnin' needed. Crack open that Jug, Jedd!

[Draggon]

Gettin' closer germs and gals!

Almost right! Just needs a bit O' tuning. A tad bit less contrast. Break out that sledge, Jedd!

[Guest]

This is my photo "setup". The lighting isn't the best since it's evening. I normally take them early in the morning or mid day. I actually got this idea from "coolhand" Luke. He takes some of the best photos I've seen!

Close-ups come out like this..

[crazyjim]

We need a picture taking tutorial - I do. You guys take simple stuff and the pics come out swell.

[Draggon]

Love that 55 Roger!

[2002p51]

Nothing wrong with your basic setup, Glenn. Get yourself some white foam core or posterboard and use it to bounce a little of that single light source around to the sides, front, etc. Cut 'em down to different sizes and move 'em around and play with the results a little. In keeping with your redneck theme however, the insides of a Budwieser twelve pack would work too!

[Draggon]

There ya go Drew, as close as my fridge! I did make a foam core box, but it seems to be too bright. Ill try that shop light as the light source, witht the foam core box and see what happens!

[Guest]

Love that 55 Roger!

Thanx Glenn! That's an old Badman kit. I've tried the white poster board in different lighting outside and never was satisfied with the results. In the sun,it's like you say, too bright. In the shade,to me, it's a little too dark and just bland. Some colors on the white poster board just don't look right no matter what the lighting is. Here's a photo of my dually on white poster board in the shade. To me, it just doesn't look right. In the sun,they looked worse.

[Draggon]

So far I like this the best. Foam core box, halogen light 2 feet directly above the camera. Think I need just a tad bit more contrast. having a box in a more neutral tone would help too. Love that dually! I understand that a white model on white foam core is an issue. Im gonna try it on a maroon blanket Ive got. Also thinking about a very light blue.

Edited September 7, 2012 by Draggon

[Guest]

That is the best looking photo so far Glenn! Even with the white background,it shows a slight color difference between the cab,bed,hood and cover. A colored background would sure make a difference.

[Draggon]

I'm gettin' closer!

[2002p51]

The purpose of the poster board isn't to be the main background necessarily. But you use small pieces of it to bounce light on to the sides or the front to light up the grille, etc. Here's what I use:

Those are foam core but you don't need pieces that big. I also have some smaller ones for bouncing light up to rocker panels, the inside of funny car bodies, etc.

Here's what they do for you.

Look closely at these two photos. The grille on the top one is a little brighter, a little better defined. Also notice the pan below the bumper is brighter on the upper photo. That's what that bounce card does. I used a main light coming down from above, a large card on the left, and a small one on the right. For the lower photo all I did was remove the card on the right.

You don't need expensive foam core to do this. Like I said above the inside of a twelve pack will do. Literally anything that is white and will stand up.

So Glenn, you could continue to use your blanket, and that drop light above, you just need some white cardboard to bounce some of that light on to the sides of the model.

Experiment and practice, practice, practice!

[2002p51]

You should also check out the November 2011 issue of Model Cars for some more simple photo tips.