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This week we'll address seating.
I ride a motorcycle, and while most photographers don't travel quite as light as myself, the less gear you need to haul the better. Right? I like the Trännö folding stool when I know, or even think, I may want to give a butt a rest, or y'know, whatever. You never know when a decent looking seating solution may be required.
The Trännö is a $5.00 3 legged folding stool. It comes not only with a handy adjustable sling attached directly to one leg, but a rain-resistant (-proof, if not for the weave) bag with its own sling. But wait, there's more . . . The bag can fit up to 2 lightstands when not need for the Trännö. It weighs almost nothing, and I can attest it'll hold around 200lbs. without problem.
Unfortunately the Ikea, United States, site doesn't list it for some reason. There shouldn't be a problem finding in stores but you may be out of luck in the short term online. I'll update the entry upon its addition.
Psst, RSS.
Hi there all,
this is the first actual installment of Ikeaphile. (The Launch not included)
We're going to begin simply today with 2 items I use together very often, cobined they can make a very effective light bank.
Kappe Clothes Rack - $4.99
Sova Fitted Sheet (white, Full size) - $6.99
(no image, come on its a bedsheet, you know what they look like)
Step 1: Assemble Kappe
Step 2: Unpack Sova, give it a good shake, throw it over the Kappe
Step 3: Start taking some nice pictures with some beautiful soft light
I'll add now, that I recommend using the Sova Flat Sheet (White, King) -$12.99 over what I've chosen, I just happen to have a Full mattress (also from Ikea) so that's why I got it.
Example of the results:
With Kappe
Without Kappe
While I fully agree, Fender is not going to use either of these shots to promote their product, as they're pretty poor images, they do show the benefits of this setup:
1 - Increased relative light source size.
The flash used for both of these was a throw away Quantaray Q-15 flash, very small light source, gives nasty specular highlights. Both downfalls are negated.
2 - Much softer transitions to shadow.
This ties in with the relative source size increasing, although this also helps eliminate shadow too. Notice the bottom of the stand on the right, almost no shadow with our $12 light bank, and what shadow there is -is nice and soft with a smooth transition.
3 - Specular accent.
Also having to do with relative light source size, the highlight we receive from the Kappe accents the edge, adding dimensionality to the object and helping to pop it off the background.
So there you are, now go and experiment!
Don't tell me you can't find an Ikea . . .
Next project (6.17.07) we'll address seating, cause while I don't deny its usefulness, there're occasions when some just don't need an $85 (+tax & shipping) chair.
There will likely be update(s) between now and then, so check up.
Did I mention to add the Ikephile RSS to your browser? Well, I am now, so do! :D
I ride a motorcycle, and while most photographers don't travel quite as light as myself, the less gear you need to haul the better. Right? I like the Trännö folding stool when I know, or even think, I may want to give a butt a rest, or y'know, whatever. You never know when a decent looking seating solution may be required.
