Sunday, June 20, 2010

PHOTOGRAPHING SASHA - EQUIPMENT

This single light source has a hood and diffusion screen in front of the lights to avoid hot spots and light reflections on smooth objects. This complete item has been available on eBay for $100.00.

This background and lighting set-up comes complete and can often be found for about $100.00 on eBay. I purchased a similar version two years ago. It does take up a lot of space but I have the room for it.

45 Watt 5000k Compact Fluorescent Daylight Balanced Photo Bulbs. These are available on eBay for various prices and often are included in lighting set-ups.

Three Fold Presentation Board is a great simple background that is lightweight and easy to carry outside or store away. At STAPLES for under $10.00

Graduated backgrounds come in many different colors. I use a dark brown to light brown version. The laminated paper version is about $20.00 on eBay but I don't recommend it because paper tends to wrinkle. The vinyl version is a bit more expensive, about $65.00, but is almost indestructible and worth every penny.


While cameras vary in price from one hundred to several hundred dollars it often becomes difficult to select one that will give the doll photographer the best results. Of course today everything is digital so that is an easy decision. The second consideration (for me) is ease of use. I don't need a camera with a hundred options and functions I will never need or use. However, I would want a camera with a close-up function that avoids distortion when the lens is in close for detail images. Currently I use a very basic CANON Power Shot that cost under $200.00 a few years ago and still works perfectly.

The other consideration is studio equipment -- lighting and backgrounds. There are many items you can buy for about one hundred dollars if you buy them on eBay. Photo shop sellers often offer items at auction with a low starting price and that is when you can often find a bargain. And, they often offer items at a very inexpensive BUY NOW price just to move merchandise.