Vince Pitelka on sat 29 nov 03
> Vince, what is this. I tried using cotton pillow cases but they burned
from
> the 500 watt bulbs I use. Is there something that will do the trick and
> tolerate the heat better?
Susan -
Well, first of all, reading your statement above, I am afraid, I am very
afraid. What were you doing with 500 wat bulbs and pillow cases? Are you
serious? I am having a hard time visualizing this, or imagining how it
could possibly be safe, or how anyone could possibly think it could possibly
be safe.
Sorry if I seem to be overreacting (or overacting?). I'm just glad you
didn't burn your house down.
Regarding the photo tent, you take a white sheet and erect a tent over your
table and photo backdrop, and reflect the light onto the tent from the
outside. Through the opening in the front of the tent you aim your
highlight spot and photograph your work.
If you aim your lights directly at the tent you will still get big white
reflections on the surface of the wares, from the white "hot spots" on the
inside of the tent. Better to reflect the light off photo umbrellas in
order to diffuse it before it hits the tent. You could improvise any sort
of reflective surface to accomplish this. The idea is to diffuse the light
across a broad area of the sheet, so that the light that hits the wares is
perfectly even overall. You can still manipulate the lights on either side
outside the tent to make the lighting a little asymmetrical, and you can
also use reflective cards or shadow cards inside the tent to modify the
effects.
Standard halogen utility floodlights available at MalWart or any home
improvement center work great for the lights in this sort of setup. The
color may end up being very slightly off, but as anyone who has photographed
their own work knows, the color is often slightly off even when we use the
correct color-temperature photo-lighting and the correct film. So why not
save a whole lot of money and use those halogen utility floodlights?
But far better than a tent, get a softbox or build your own using several of
those halogen floodlights.
Good luck -
- Vince
Vince Pitelka
Appalachian Center for Craft
Tennessee Technological University
1560 Craft Center Drive, Smithville TN 37166
Home - vpitelka@dtccom.net
615/597-5376
Office - wpitelka@tntech.edu
615/597-6801 x111, FAX 615/597-6803
http://iweb.tntech.edu/wpitelka/
http://www.tntech.edu/craftcenter/
SusanRaku@AOL.COM on sun 30 nov 03
In a message dated 11/30/2003 6:50:21 AM Eastern Standard Time,
vpitelka@DTCCOM.NET writes:
Sorry if I seem to be overreacting (or overacting?). I'm just glad you
didn't burn your house down.
Vince, you made me laugh at this one. Don't worry, I have lots of insurance!
The pillow cases were not placed against the bulb but some distance in front
of them, wrapping around the front of the reflector frame which is at least
six inches away from the bulb, and I do not leave the lights on continuously,
just minutes at a time, with a break between pieces. The cotton does not
actually catch on fire but darkens and disintegrates (close enough). I only do
about three evening sessions a year in order to keep my slides up to date.
Speaking of safety, using these bulbs to begin with is not recommended in a
residential setting like mine. However for years I have gotten away with using
three 500 watt bulbs in standing lights, and two 250 watt bulbs in the
ceiling directly above the pieces. My home is fairly new (about 10 years) and I
have had a breaker go off on occasion. What often happens is that the bulbs go
off themselves when they get too hot. They usually cool for about ten minutes
before coming back on.
I use a graduated black to white background and an old Olympus 35 mm camera,
and although, as you may have guessed, I know little about photography, my
slides have made it into a few books and magazines and gotten me into a slew of
national shows. And yes, as someone mentioned, those paper backgrounds are
expensive and scratch way to easily.
I wish I could find a source to buy them at a more reasonable price.
So, do tell me about the "white sheet tent" and if it can be used to deflect
the light. I did get on ebay last night to see if there were any of the
umbrella lights or just umbrella's that could be attached to what I have but was
unsuccessful at finding anything. I have not used ebay much so if you have any
suggestions on how I might find these accessories please do share.
Thanks!!!
Susan
SusanRaku@AOL.COM on sun 30 nov 03
In a message dated 11/30/2003 6:50:21 AM Eastern Standard Time,
vpitelka@DTCCOM.NET writes:
Standard halogen utility floodlights available at MalWart or any home
Vince, I just read the rest of your letter. Thanks for the info on the white
sheet tent.
Just had to ask about "MalWart". I am assuming that you mean Wal-Mart, or
do you come from a different neck of the woods.
Susan
John Rodgers on sun 30 nov 03
I suspect "MalWart" is correct. Sort of like "Wally World"
Colloquialism for the big chain store.
Regards,
John Rodgers
Chelsea, AL
SusanRaku@AOL.COM wrote:
>In a message dated 11/30/2003 6:50:21 AM Eastern Standard Time,
>vpitelka@DTCCOM.NET writes:
>Standard halogen utility floodlights available at MalWart or any home
>Vince, I just read the rest of your letter. Thanks for the info on the white
>sheet tent.
>
>Just had to ask about "MalWart". I am assuming that you mean Wal-Mart, or
>do you come from a different neck of the woods.
>
>Susan
>
>______________________________________________________________________________
>Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
>You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
>settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
>Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at melpots@pclink.com.
>
>
>
| |
|
