What Crosses My Mind While Sampling the Spinach Ravioli with Pesto...
Which is literally what I was doing when I turned around and snapped this iPhone pic in my local Costco recently. (Making sure not to get busted as a terrorist for snapping a pic in a Costco, of course...)It's 10'x10', and 10' high. It looks pretty color neutral and costs about $200. It sets up easily with an accordion-folding frame.
How would you use it?
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Why couldn't this be an inexpensive, easy-to-pack freestanding scrim to easily surround someone in shade for outdoor shooting?
Choose your background -- in any direction -- and erect the canopy over where the subject will be. Now they are in soft, white-light shade a coupla stops under the ambient background. Perfect for ambient-balanced fill. Add lights and stir, without worrying about what your ambient sun is doing.
Presto -- totally controllable foreground and background.
You could light your subject completely independent of the background. For instance, you could work some front flash against ambient back light. Or you could kill unflattering front/top sunlight and replace it with better quality flash.
Height is an issue if you are going to shoot standing and light from up top. Or heck, maybe just blast the AB1600 right through the canopy if you want.
It folds into a rolling duffle bag, is easy to transport and could double as a changing room (or a cookout-type canopy) when you are not using it to shoot.
Am I nuts? Has anyone tried this? If so, hit us in the comments and let us know how it worked out.
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Posted at 4:00 PM.
107 Comments:
Funny you should bring this up!! Doing a beach wedding shoot this Saturday and I have one of these and had the same thought!! So no havent tried it but its packed for saturday, let you know how it goes if we end up using it.
Durability? Is there a trade-off between easy to set up and how long a canopy like this lasts? I've got one about the same size where you assemble the frame from aluminum tubes in about 20 person-minutes. It's not too convenient but it's lasted 10 years.
Bob G
I use one and for the height issue I use some grey PVC pipe with holes drilled through and pins inserted to raise the unit when needed. Is sits just fine on these DIY extensions and provides fabulous shade. BTW I'm also a Costco employee...
I have this tent. Bought it in 2003 and it's a workhorse.
A lot of T&I shooters use these for outdoor portraits. Leave the walls off for the natural background setting and fire some strobes in there for fill/kick. The Sun does the rest, nice and even lighting.
I've tried it.
The main I remember was that it took more light than I expected (it was quite heavy fabric). I've shots taken right besides it at 1/180 and F8 and under it at 1/100 and f4.5.
I also bounced a flash up at it and that worked quite well. Good soft spread.
Sorry, can't share anything from that, as it was a private event.
Recently attended an outdoor even where the event photographer used one with 2 strobes L+R bounced up and a green screen.
He provided all the cheesy backgrounds you could want with onsite printing. Pretty fun stuff!
Le Genius!
Waiting for your next post when you come up with another striking lighting idea from a recent visit to KFC.
EZ-Ups are notorious for getting blown around alot. They are useful though. The fabric is on the thick side.
Depending on the angle of the sun and the thickness of the roof fabric, the supports might cast a noticable shadow. Those things *are* a bit on the heavy side, and it's definetly easier to set up with two people.
But, yeah, first thing I saw was a big light tent. This site must be rubbing off on me...
-David
That is such a cool idea David! Hmmmm... can I make it to Costco today? :)
I used one of these to do some family portraits at a picnic, purely serendipitous. I had hoped to use a strobe, but it was too windy. Another family brought their tent and had it set up so the whit backdrop was blocking the (setting) sun. I had a reflector, so I had the families sit in front of the white backdrop that was being illuminated by the sun, had my VAL hold the reflector in place (combination of setting sun reflecting off the gold reflector made a nice warm fill) and shot away. It was like having a human sized macro photo studio.
What about using it as a standing soft box? if you can get around the framing of it somehow...maybe an AB1600/800 would do it?? Just a thought...
Giant soft box? if you can get around the frame and wind factor?
A local even photog is using them for portraits and small group shot - but not using them as a light source. They just nuke them with on camera flash using the tent to block the direct sun.
I use mine as a shooting tent a few times a year. At a local arts and crafts fair my wife does facepainting and I shoot a portrait of the child, then print it on a small Epson picturemate. It gives wonderful diffused light when it is sunny. When not so sunny, I shoot from the outside looking in with a backdrop hanging inside the tent.
Thanks for a great blog!
Rick in NYC
i love those tents at weddings and other parties.. in the day they just soften the light, at night i bounce a powi'ed SB800 on a lightstand into them. great stuff.
i have managed to keep my GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) at bay and not buy one myself, though.
I've used one of these the last couple of years as a portable "studio" booth at large oudoor festivals. I stretch a 10' scrim (Walmart ripstop @ $1/yard) along the sunlight side to create a giant wall of soft light, drop in a backdrop, then add a fill light and sometimes a hairlight and it makes a great setup.
P.S. The leg supports on these things can be a little flimsy in the wind - to remedy that I bring along four 4' lengths of conduit and use Velcro straps to attach them to the leg supports.
- Ron
I sell photographs at Art Shows and own 2 similar tents to protect my work at shows, one very similar to what you get at Costco, an EZ-up and another sturdier one, a crafthut, with skylights on the top. One of the things required for Art Shows are "booth slides", so I have a lot of experience using these. Ambient light through the top works great, I've also used SB-800's to light framed work on the walls to supplement ambient (with the glass removed to control reflections) , which also works well. Finally I've used it as a very large light box more than once, usually with ambient, but also with flash from the top with a very strange arrangement using a ladder and magic clamps and that works as well. I've also done portraits and it's great for that.
Charlie
I've thought about this whilst strolling recent street fairs. They even out shadows nicely under intense afternoon conditions, and only a soft modeling light would be needed to complete a setup. It's a cumbersome piece of gear, though.
I'd think that would require a LOT of sandbagging! It does remind me, though, of the stuff Dean Collins built on the beach in Santa Barbara for his portraiture class at Brooks.
Why don't you try it David and let us know how it works?
In the 1970s Irving Penn traveled parts of the world with a canvas tent, pointed the open area toward north light and captured amazing portraits. Every time I see these I think of his work and how much lighter and easier it must be to set this up instead an old smelly canvas tent.
Jim
You could even use the frame to justin-clamp some strobes etc to it!
Perfect!!!
Nice find!
I've used them before, in their intended applications. They're ok; I'm not sure if they're worth the effort, from a setup/teardown stand point.
I have also seen one go straight up into the air, victim of a microburst, at an outdoor carshow. A little too lightweight, methinks.
Costco is going to be wondering why the heck these things are selling like hot-cakes now!
I have had similar thoughts while out shooting youth sports picture day. We use the tents to knock out the unflattering sun and light them ourselves, but I have not used them in a high end shoot or anything. Nor have I used them as a modifier, though the thought has crossed my mind.
Be sure to fill us in on details.
I would drink some beer and grill some burgers underneath it!
Re: bouncing flash into these. When I have come across weddings where white canopies were used for the outdoor reception, clamping a few flashes to the structure made some of the best looking soft bounced light ever.
Well, the cost was about $200 TODAY. Next week, the Hobby Effect will combine with good ol' supply & demand economics, and these things will cost more than an used SB800!
What a GREAT idea!
Tried the gazebo gig once or twice for weddings. Works great, so long as the venue police don't work out that their lawn will be dead a day or two later...
here is an example it was in a wedding at a beach, just flash bounced.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oldvainamoinen/2567423125/
No need to do CIA activities in Costco as you can see it on their website.
http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11257490&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US&s=1
Oh yes, it's a sickness that just keeps getting progressively worse.
My wife is pretty sick of my ever growing collection of empty mayonnaise jars and vellum shopping bags. Not to mention the pile of silicone wrist bands in every color that looks like calamari on a mind altering drug binge.
I have thought about buying one of those tents for setting up shop at art fairs but I had not thought about one for a portable studio (until now). Not a bad idea, thanks.
I’m off to the feed store to check out some translucent potable water tanks. Wish me luck.
2 years ago I made some packshots of a professional, ultra-movable video-editing suite for a friends website.
I had no (flash-gear) big enough to do this, so I simply opened up my very cheap white party tent on a sunny day and used a white bedsheet underneeth.
results: http://tinyurl.com/mdz8yf
Simple and very effective (with minimum post-production)!
so: use the tent as a giant lighting-table for (big) props!!
Its totally make sense... I was think of buying a cheaper/smaller one somewhere else ...but the height stopped the idea... Costco one may work.
Beside that.... its maybe worth experimenting with it acting as 10x10 softbox when lay-down on its side (by adding some refective material to the ceiling of the tent.
Great idea! I can see speedlights Justin-clamped to the metal framework. Or a walk up portrait booth!, with laptop & display to show what's been shot, take it to a family reunion or Class reunion and offer portrait services.....
Ok I'm done. Back off the dreamland express.... I need more coffee.
I have thought about it before also - And adding a custom shadecloth to the one my parents already have - its not transparent.
It reminds me a little of the california sunbounce 'CAGE' which Greg Gorman helped design. Add some black sides and white sides and you have a completely controllable lighting area for clients.
http://www.sunbounce.com/cms/index.php?id=1307&L=1
Rock on David!
I am a forensic photographer on county major crimes task force and we purchased a similar one of these a few years back. Works great for covering the body in in-climate weather and as field office. Im thinking it would work well for the living as well.
As for wind we use tent stakes at the fore base legs. Im not sure what the Costco brand has by way of stake placement but Im sure with some minor rigging anything could be attached.
I can set up one by myself in fifteen minutes - the nice quality Costco ones. I'm 5'6". It's lasted over four years of very constant use and if not left overnight in the rain at events would still be in near perfect conditions. By using a five gallon bucket, filled with sand or rocks, secured with rope to the center point of the frame, ours can withstand 20mph gusts on an exposed beach. Obviously, a center line isn't the best for photography, but they also make very easy to use sandbagging systems (farmers markets require them) and those definitely do the job.
Some are cheesy. Some are not. Ours is a Caravan Canopy...the other brands that Costco sells now are great, at least in the PNW area.
However, I live in a world where it's so constantly cloudy it's like living in a very soft softbox.
I have used it often and the height becomes a non issue when you use shorter models. That's a plus for the shorter models.
GNapp Studios
I work part time for a Youth Sports Photo franchise in Hawaii and we use a tent like this all the time exactly as you hypothesize.
Of course, on the days we don't need it to shade our junior athletes...we use it to shade the photographer. Talk about win-win.
Michael O'Hara
Kaneohe, Hawaii
Nice idea. :-) You can say that you do life size product shots with these tents. ;-)
I used one at a car show to shoot photos of cheerleaders with participants. two lights in opposite corners bounced off top. Worked great.
Its been used ever since the day someone thought of using white sheets to protect one self from the sun rays ;)
We just happen to throw in a camera in the mix :D
Buyer beware ...
http://www.elitedeals.com/ezup4wa10x10.html
good ideah for my beach trip next week.
Buyer beware ...
http://www.elitedeals.com/ezup4wa10x10.html
Nice, but too heavy and cumbersome. Much easier to just suspend a 6x6 light panel between too light stands.
Bill
Amazon has 'em even cheaper:
http://www.amazon.com/Pop-up-White-Canopy-Side-Walls/dp/B000OYQ5LK
In Southern California There was or is I have not seen them recently a Company that photographs kids on ponies in front of Department stores that uses one of these with a Painted background.
Believe it or not I use tents just like this on an regular basis, as a large diffuser for outdoor shoots, and have also used them as giant softboxes on location.
wL1600 in each, 3opaque walls, 1 translucent.
2-side by side for a 10x20 softbox.
you can see a final image
here
Second image from right, orange bike, white seamless..
Best used to keep rain off the snack table... and sun off the hot drinks!
This reminds me, I must replace my old one which is getting a bit grubby. Agreed, these make a great soft location light modifier I've even used one to keep dry whilst my subjects have been out in the rain;-)
They also make a great kite when windy, so I always recommend securing structures such as these with heavy duty screw-in ground spikes.
They are great for rainy day portraits or bright sun wedding days. They give a great light off.
Joel Smith
http://joelssmithphotography.blogspot.com
Dave.....do I have to teach you everything!
You purchase the tent to use in your new back yard garden and eating spot. Tell the misses it can be double use for doing lemonade stand work in the front yard with the kids or even to do Tag sales.
But nooooooooooo you have to call it a modifier right out the gate so I bet the wifey just yelled at you about to much camera equipment again cluttering up the garage.
You gotta learn man. I told my wife I bought a 70-200 2.8 for "starting fires" with no matches for the Boy Scouts......
be prepared! :-)
The series of comments that this post has generated is exactly why I love this site so much. Any other site and people would treat you like you are nutz. Great post.
Not exactly a thread-jack, but...
I built a contraption affectionatley referred to as The Big White Box. It is, for all intents and purposes, a 7x4 softbox that people can stand in. Unlike the pop-up tent, it only cost me about $25 to make, and can be set up in minutes by just one person.
Just like the pop-up tent, it is not "windy day friendly". I do, however, dig the results.
I use one of these quite often for pet portraits at outdoor events. They make great light tents on sunny days and there are lots of places to attach my SB-900/800s.
The only issue I have is when I can't dictate which direction to set the tent opening. It isn't deep enough to prevent the sun from casting a half shadow onto the subjects. Solution so far is a muslin curtain on the front to block the sun, but eventually, I'll be going to a 10x20 version.
The blowing around issue is easily solved with some corkscrew type dog tie-outs and cargo straps. My tent won't budge in any kind of weather that I'd still be hanging around in to shoot.
Here's a link to one set up I used a while back: http://www.pbase.com/jimpoor/image/103824911
Most of the shot here were done in the tent: http://www.jimpoor.com/portfolio/portraits/
I have been using these for years for youth sports team and individual photos. They're great for controling light and shadows, espically when you are going to be out there all day long. They do cast a dark shadow on the ground though, which can limit full length photos at times depending on the angle of the sun. They also come whith white sides that can be added for even more light control.They can be a very helpful with people that squint easily.
I didn't set it up as a studio, but I was inside one during a family gathering recently and yeah, the light inside was GREAT (especially on such a blaring hot day):
http://jvl.stasis.org/pixelpost/Proofs/Kap/Kap_Day2/
the tent stuff is in the 30's. I added a bit of internal bounce to brighten things up with a PW'd 580EXII (you can see it J-clamped in #32.
I've had one for years...very durable, but only used it for camping until my most recent camping trip where it occurred to me, after a few hours under the influence of your newly discovered (for me, anyway) blog that it might work well for just such a purpose. Imagine my surprise to see this am that it wasn't an original thought! Glad to see I'm not the only one with the idea.
Just a couple of thoughts on usage...
1. Extremely rapid and easy setup; does help to have an assistant.
2. I've tried the kite thing involving large unexpected gusts of wind, etc. (back in my naive youth, so to speak) and discovered that the hours spent trying to obtain the requisite repair parts (I have a discontinued model) made the concept of fastening the poles down a very high priority indeed... The repairs were easy for me, as I am pretty good at that sort of thing, having had lots of practice, but might be intimidating for the faint of heart.
3. Someone above mentioned the idea of turning the whole thing on its side and using it as a wall for bouncing light waves off of... my suggestion would be to consider very carefully prior to any such attempt, as I'm fairly certain they weren't designed or stressed for that, and see #2 above for discussion of how you may look forward to spending a few hours of your time.
EZ-Ups, in my experience, are impressively durable. We used them in our remote kits for the radio station I worked for for a few years, and they went out a couple of times a week, every week, and they held up for three years or more! As long you weigh them down adequately (we used cinder blocks tied to the upper structure), they should stay in place and last for a long time.
I mean, we beat the hell out of these things, and they stood up to it! And while I've never used them for a light tent for photography purposes, we would blast clip-on work lights up into the canopy at night and got great even light all over the tent area.
Lots of event photographers have been using the canopy w/scrim and backdrop combination for at least a couple of decades.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21588639@N07/2101855768/
Monte Zucker did this back in the day, although he used reflectors instead of flash.
Drive-in motorcycle light tent for biker festivals. Rig some strobes in the structure, bouced up, and maybe even add extra diffusion at the accordion level. Pic a background, long lens, PW and you're live!
Shoot tethered and print on the spot for maximum cash!
I've seen a hundred of these in various colors at my son's swim meets, and have been thinking of getting one. Note to self: go for the white one!
Picked up two of this style, different brand 2 months ago to set up outside shooting at the studio. After two rain storms they both colapse and could not take the weather.
We own one of these and while I agree that this canopy is a great idea, it only works well if you have help with the transportation and set up. I'm 5'2" and I cannot manage to shlep the thing, which is not light, along with a full camera bag, by myself.
Probably a lot of power needed to put light through it, but I bet it would be easy and soft to bounce light around inside of it. Mix with a little available and off you go..
But how was the ravioli?
There is a professional tent developed by Greg Gorman and California Sunbounce called "The Cage". You can watch a video about is: http://www.sunbounce.com/cms/index.php?id=957
Excellent light modifier! Very even light. Here are some typical results with 1 flash key light.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mverschelden/3798348023/
I did this without even thinking about it... the light was just there.
I was shooting for my cousins new sports photo business and wanted to shoot some quick portraits. He had 2 of these tents for his tables so I dragged a few people under one, added a speedlight through a brolly and voila. Almost perfect shots with no fuss!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2543/3799246814_b3b9ceeff1.jpg
A lot of great ideas in this thread! Thanks everyone!
It reminds me of the portable studio used by W. Eugene Smith.
The important thing is, you have harnessed your insanity.
Sometimes I cash out photographing for a kiddie sports fotog who uses these pop-ups with on-camera flash as a key. No compensation for the flash and straight on into their faces. While the kids crank up the batting pose we somewhat balanced the background with a quicker shutter speed for more "density" in the background. Two exposures and not much art but we realy had a reshoot.The biggest problem is wind and when the little sluggers were swinging away at the tents posts. In the late 80's I assisted the NY pro Grant Peterson as he packed-up a collapsible studio (4x4' white and black panels and a tube frame) along with a view camera and tripod into a "back pack" so he could tour Italy shooting food and still lifes. We all marveled at his ingenuity but thought he was a loon anyway. Still I wish he took me with him!
I bet this would also work well for on-location auto photography!
Not sure if this has already been said, but if you're going to set it up on a field or other grassy area, you might want to consider putting down some black seamless below your model; otherwise you'll get all sorts of potentially nasty green reflected light that you may not notice until post.
I have used this several times on hot-shoot days here in sunny NC. It works great set-up against the tailgate of a production vehicle to keep clients cool and offer a "screening room with tabletop (tailgate) when shooting tethered to a screen or laptop. The sides also make a great large softbox or bounce card and the above-head frame will let lights attach to it and hide the cords. Definitely worth the money and yes, when not shooting it makes an excellent beer ( i mean soda) tent.
I read through your post avidly this morning as I had been thinking about something along this line for a while now.
Then I spent a good half hour googling for something similar here in Australia. And then I realised I already have something similar in my garage but only the frame! And then I realised that my two 3x3m white backdrops would work perfectly as the scrim! Face palm! It took a while to put all of the recollections into one idea - but now I have one and didn't have to pay a cent!
BTW my google search showed up a lot of pvc - would that be any good?
Joey - good point! Must remember that!
As easy as this is, it would be nice if we could get one that was made of Zumbrella or slightly thicker material ;) Some light filtering but not completely shaded.
I'm surprised I haven't missed this posted before on Strobist, or surprised it hasn't been addressed already.
I personally haven't ever used a full size tent like this (intentionally) but for a long time I've used a kids tent as a photo tent. Specifically the 'Kuja' from Ikea, its $10.
Same concept, different scale.
OH MY... what a great tip... next timw Im in the US I will stop at Costco and I wil get one for sure to bring it down to my country... I will use it for beach fashion shots
Here in Berkeley I regularly see a fashion photographer working in harsh mid-day sun using an enormous white umbrella, the same kind you have in your backyard. She has an assistant to carry and set up, and the assistant is very fast, the thing is up and ready to shoot in under a minute.
I saw her using different setups: in the middle of a parking lot with a long lens, using some trees or the distant Golden Gate as background; with a portrait lens up against a graffiti-covered wall for an "urban look" (it was for leather jackets), where the wall was hit with hard sun while the model was in soft light.
I have never seen the result, but I spent a bit of time looking, and it makes for nice diffused light. In one case there was a strobe, but in most cases it was all diffused light.
The wind would definitely be an issue with this setup, and the assistant is always right there. Also, while easy to set up and tear down, I would think that carrying the folded umbrella and stand is a bit of a challenge.
About two years ago I had to use one for shelter from quick rain shower to keep shooting. I ended up buying one to secure my 72" X 36" panel reflectors or diffusers. The legs are also great to clamp Speedlights to. I'd like to have one that was 10' X 20'.
Only last post DH was telling us that he was "pretty much a big tent guy when it comes to lighting" - seems that's true.
I've used a pop up tent several times. I replaced the lower portion of the legs with steel poles to make the tent higher and heavier. My use was more to create a larger area of open shade. I have used a black velvet as a background so I don't have to light it. Here is a link to a picture on my blog... the only record I have of using one. We were shooting a Denver Fire Fighters calendar for Children's Hospital. I was using additional lighting, but the natural light is also very nice. I filled buckets with cement attached to the tent with bungy cords. It held up in some pretty strong winds.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_qjR4Hto-h0w/SFbCUD-ft7I/AAAAAAAAAQM/a_jqpT_mz-U/s1600-h/_MG_0155.jpg
I've used mine for this exact purpose, where I needed to keep direct sun off the subject and background. Here is an example: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bonsaihiker/2753429191/in/set-72157604043138594/ Of course, mine is pretty beat up from years of deck parties, but it still works well!
On my anniversary I had an opportunity to use a tent like that. See the picture here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rzkyphotos/3805667955/
Yep I have two of them I use them at biker rallies to shoot girls on bikes. most recently I shot one at 3PM bright sun in a parking lot at a benefit bike wash. I also have the sides and can make an enclosed tent. I also have a slightly heavier duty one that is 10x20 makes a nice portable studio
Would love to see this in action. Could be a winner for summer fairs.
I find this very humorous. Only because I recently shot a wedding in their back yard and guess what they were all standing under.....This tent. I put up a 383 Super inside the roof of the tent aimed up to just below center So the bounce back would go in 3 directions. The clouds were very thick and weeping that day. But boy did it really work out well, very even flow of light through out the entire tent.
My sister has one of these and when ever I'm going to her house I bring my xtra flash and bungie cord it to one of the frame pieces. Great soft light, good for portraits.
I like this better - http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_52386?cm_mmc=shopping-_-350-1-4-_--1-_-38-655-477-33&hvarAID=46EN&mr:referralID=599fea0d-8629-11de-bbda-000423bb4e95
Because of the extra headroom from the triangle roof instead of the pyramid roof - This unit is also 10x20 instead of 10x10 and 2x the cost.
Check your local Wal-Mart: $99 for tan, with variable wall options--even a hanging tent ("Really, Dear, it's for the family campout...").
The guy who shot my son's soccer portraits used these. I was somewhat horrified to see him using on-camera fill, but at least the sunlight was nice and soft coming through the canopy.
We've modified these on several television shows; we've had custom roofs built with silk, full grid, lite grid, etc...works like a charm!
I live in Hawaii where the sun is at 3 stops over what the camera can see most of the day. So at my son's soccer game last Saturday, one family has this white awning thing from Costco set up. I don't have any lights or DSLR with me, but I do have my trusty G10. Did I mention the soccer fields are halfway up a mountain with Pearl Harbor in the background? It was all I could do to not go busting in, asking whose tent it was (so I could get permission) and making my daughter take up the position (smile!) and shooting away. But They'll be there all season and I guess it would be more neighborly to wait. Buy my wife wanted to know what I was eyeballing all day as I kept looking under (and through) the tent. I'll let you know what happens.
It really looks like a brilliant solution to build a versitile scrim, but isn't the lack of height causing problems when shooting full length shots with a natural view as backdrop? It seems to me that you'll be very limited in your composition (when you don't want the tent to show up in the frame).
Here's another lightsource that would be interesting to use for those guerrila shoots...
http://www.timbuk2.com/blog/2009/08/13/portable-light-on-your-flap/
I've seen these also,
but if you want to be a bit more
manageable buy one of the large
light tents on ebay
with changeable backgrounds .
Here are 2 shots taken outside with
this setup.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/18446608@N03/3264323039/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/18446608@N03/3264323789/in/photostream/
I shot a Jewish wedding and they had something similar setup. I think they call it a Huppah. Anyhow, it acted like a giant overhead softbox. A little fill-flash and Mazol Tov!
back in the day the painters used these to adjust lighting ratios. they would pull up a little on one side or the other to let in more of less fill. those were canvas so the blocked all like coming though. I know this would work good but you couldnt get a lot of forground in your shot.
Next time you photograph a wedding and they demand it takes place outside at high noon just suggest to the bride and groom to get a few of these to keep everyone cool in the harsh sun. Then you look like a good guy watching out for everyone else and accidentally you have excellent ambient. Best of all it's no money out of your pocket!
Hi -
So I started shooting in open shade when I asked some buddies what they were getting their wifes for mothers day. Since they came up with nothing I came up with a secret playdate where the dads brought the kids over and I shot them for Mom's day gifts. The guys still buy me beers cause that shoot got them in good with their misses! I used some as promos and a Gal at the Pea in the Pod brand stores contacted me to shoot kids and babies at their store. I set up my "easy-up" studio and shot outside. The response was so good that they wanted me to shoot at another PITP store. This time indoors, so I used my trusty ring flash. Great results again with a totally different feel. While I was shooting and person from Banana Republic saw my work and has contracted me to shoot during a special event in their store. We'll see how it goes! You can check my new brand out at www.tustinstudio.com
Hi -
So I started shooting in open shade when I asked some buddies what they were getting their wifes for mothers day. Since they came up with nothing I came up with a secret playdate where the dads brought the kids over and I shot them for Mom's day gifts. The guys still buy me beers cause that shoot got them in good with their misses! I used some as promos and a Gal at the Pea in the Pod brand stores contacted me to shoot kids and babies at their store. I set up my "easy-up" studio and shot outside. The response was so good that they wanted me to shoot at another PITP store. This time indoors, so I used my trusty ring flash. Great results again with a totally different feel. While I was shooting and person from Banana Republic saw my work and has contracted me to shoot during a special event in their store. We'll see how it goes! You can check my new brand out at www.tustinstudio.com
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