Photography Soft Box Backdrop

Everyone wants quality pictures. It's essential to a great instructable.

Finding proper lighting and a clean surface to photograph on isn't always so easy. I plan to show you an affordable photo setup you can use anywhere you find yourself working.

Parts

-36'' white roller blind $8.50
-Set of blinds mounting brackets $.99
-3 Clamp lights
-3 200 watt equivalent cool white CFL bulbs
-tripod (optional) mine is from Amazon

Tools

-drill with driver bits

-tape measure

To start off, find a place that works for you. Most of my projects get done in the garage, so I decided to mount it on a shelf overhanging my workbench. Install the left side bracket, measure over the width of your blind, and install the right bracket.

I had best results with 2 lights on my tripod and one directly above.

When taking photos it's usually best to not mix light from different sources. Shut off other lights, close the blinds, and turn off your flash.

Fine tuning of the shutter speed is needed to allow for proper exposure. Most of mine were taken in 1/125.

Point and shoot cameras

Basic point and shoot cameras are fine too. Don't be led to believe that you have to have an expensive camera to get good pictures; most of my instructables have been made using one that is very primitive. Be sure to use the macro setting if you are shooting small objects. (The macro setting is represented by a flower shape on most cameras)

Since the beginning of this project, I moved to an apartment. Unfortunately, I don't have a garage to work in, and I haven't found a permanent spot to mount my backdrop. Here's how I solved the problem; My Venetian blinds are a heavy enough weight to hold the top of my backdrop, and a chair holds my lights. No need to permanently install any hardware. If more light is needed above the object, I use a lamp beside my desk.

All the gear is small, and very easy to store away when not in use. Within a matter of minutes, it can be completely set up and ready to use.

Thanks for reading. Feel free to ask questions or leave comments below.

Don't forget to vote for this instructable in the Tech contest.