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Quick tip on cheap 'lighting' effect

Apr 10, 2006

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    1. Seeing as this if a forum for photography tips...

      I have trouble lighting my Tender's faces, even in strong daylight. Either the tilt of the head or the wig casta shadow, and making them face the light source often leaves the photographs looking dull or bleached-out (I have a Single Lens Reflex camera, which is pretty automatic, and a pretty regular digital camera)

      I picked up this trick from an old art class, and it really helps:

      -Take a large flat circular objects, like a dinner plate, or a large compass. You will be making a disc that is roughly the size of a dinner plate. You can always use a pin and a bit of string to draw the circle as well.

      -Trace a circle onto a peice of cardcoard-card is too flimsy, plain old box cardboard is fine. If the surface is corrugated, put another circle of card on it as it will cast faint stripes.

      -Eat several dozen Kit-Kats or packs of Munchies. OR just buy gold or silver foil. As long as its reflective, and it doesnt have to be as clear as a mirror.

      -Using pritt-stick or any kind of glue, cover one side of the circle with an even layer of silver foil. Make sure theres not too many lumps and bumps. You want a silver disc. Let it dry throroughly (the cardboard may warp from the glue. But adding the gold side will straighten it out)

      -Turn the disc over and apply the gold foil in the same way.

      You should have a double-sided Gold and silver disc. THis is what amateur photographers use (its a rip-off of what the proffessionals use) to cast ambient light on their subject.
      You will use this to 'catch' light and reflect it at the intended angle to 'light' your doll a bit better.

      The gold disc casts a warm glow. It can mimic fire, sunlight etcm so if its a sunny day but you photo's look a bit 'cool' in colour, use the gold disc. The silver dis is brighter light. It can be a spotlight, or winter sunshine.
      If the light reflected from them is too bright, cover the foil with a thin layer of PVA to dull it, or some very thin tracing paper.

      Hope this helps!

      :)
       
      #1 Little_miss134, Apr 10, 2006
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    2. I bet this is really, really helpful! Anyone know where to get gold foil? I don't need the excuse to eat a dozen kit kats. ^_^;;
       
      #2 Niomi, Apr 10, 2006
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    3. Niomi--Eating several dozen Kit Kats sounds like the best part! You might find gold foil at an art or craft supply store or even a quilting supply store. Sometimes quilters apply foils to their quilts.
       
      #3 pelicandeb, Apr 10, 2006
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    4. Hmm. Thanks for the tip! I'm going to have to keep this idea in mind when I get around to buying some photo lighting.
       
      #4 cheshiretiffy, Apr 10, 2006
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    5. They also make metallic duct tape that looks pretty much just like aluminum foil but it's sticky. You'd have the lines from where you had to cover it with a couple pieces of tape, but would that matter?
       
      #5 onnawufei, Jun 30, 2006
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    6. This sort of reflector is indispensible!!! I use one with natural light every single time - to reflect the sun back into the face of the subject - not only does it light the subject nicely, it will put catchlights into the eyes which is super important to make a doll look "alive."

      Nice tip on making your own! And here's an inexpensive and insta-reflector method - go to an auto supply store or even a super store (Target, Walmart, Kmart) and buy the reflectors that are used inside the car windscreen. They come in silver, they come in gold, some are two-sided with both.

      Gold reflector = wamer colours
      Silver reflector = cooler colours
       
      #6 Zagzagael, Jun 30, 2006
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    7. I haven't found any gold foil or anything but I have some orangey gold (It's not a bright orange but it isn't a faint gold either) origami paper. Would that work?
       
      #7 onnawufei, Jul 4, 2006
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    8. Is it reflective?
       
      #8 Lizzegirle, Jul 4, 2006
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    9. I just bought one of these yesterday, for a whopping four bucks. I'm going to cut a circle out of it, stiffen it with wire and add a wire stand and some alligator clips. Instant third-hand reflector. :D Thanks for the idea.
       
      #9 Sola, Jul 4, 2006
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    10. Excellent!!! Simple and indispensible.

      Lisa
       
      #10 FairEmma, Jul 4, 2006
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    11. You can also use a piece of white cardboard.
       
      #11 ginarolo, Jul 4, 2006
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    12. The origami paper? Yup. I have a bunch of different colors. Oooh I wonder if I could play with those somehow. ^^
       
      #12 onnawufei, Jul 4, 2006
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    13. If it is reflective, then it should work. Try playing with the different colors! See what a purple reflection looks or a green!
       
      #13 Lizzegirle, Jul 5, 2006
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