The $200 Studio

So, here's the challenge - can you furnish a basic studio space for under $200? I say you can, let's see what the numbers say.

I'm assuming that you already own a camera and a tripod. If you own a flash, great, if not, I think we can still accommodate you.

This is stuff I actually use in my current studio:


Adding that all up gives you a total of $199, and, chances are pretty good that you've already got at least some of the things on there. If you own a flash and a table, you've just cut $70 off the $200 studio price. You can save another $15 by ditching the felt in favor of some flat sheets out of your linen closet.

So - how do you do it?

Use the gaffers tape and/or pony clamps to attach the felt to your wall as a backdrop.

Put the CTR-301P transmitter on your camera, put the receiver on the 430EZ. Attach the flash and receiver to the light stand, and point it at your subject. Add some fill with the spotlight.

Create flash modifiers with the foamies and gaffer's tape, attach them to the flash head with the Velcro. You can make snoots, barndoors, bounce cards, gobos - almost anything you'll need with white and black foamies.

Use the table as a work surface, put the project board behind small subjects, or use it as a reflector for large subjects. Bounce the flash off the construction paper to add color, or, use the construction paper as a backdrop or surface.

Dial in the flash power, frame and focus, and let 'er rip.

Other things I've read about used as light modifiers are trash bags, windshield sun shades, bedsheets - the list is endless. You can produce great results without spending thousands of dollars in lighting - and, it's portable!