otto phokuz

I have just started doing the same thing: shooting jewelry.

And as you said, backgrounds can be expensive. I've noticed that it's very popular to shoot jewelry on graduated backgrounds, but when I went looking to buy --those little backgrounds just seemed so expensive.

I thought the backgrounds are not that large when shooting macro, so I'll let you in on my little secret.

Print your own backgrounds.

I've created 2 or three graduated backgrounds very simply in PhotoShop. My printer prints as large as 13x19+ and on a high quality setting on good matte or semi-gloss paper, I get great results.

If I get it dirty I throw it away and make another.

Now I can do them in B&W or colors. And I'm starting to experiment with patterns too.

I'm having fun and saving money, a rare thing in photography, ya think?

Depends on the mood you're trying to create. I go dimmer. I want it to just be a hint like it might be the person's aura.

Everybody wants it different. I start at about one stop.

Keep the Nikon, buy the strobes, look into portable strobe kits. Like Novatron, they have a whole little outfit comes with stands, umbrellas, power pack and room to grow.

Wait to buy digital, and why aren't you thinking Nikon on that? Are your lenss auto-focus?

At least be thinking Canon 10D and not Rebel.

You've got a camera, invest in lights, and don't forget a good flash meter to go with it.

Trying to find the related output of a small studio strobe of say 45

watt seconds and an on-camera hot shoe flash like a Metz 40AF-4c with

a guide number ISO 100.

I can't find wattseconds for the Metz and no guide number on the

studio mono light.

Is there a way to figure out one with or without the other so I can

make a comparison of the two?

Are we talking apples and oranges here?

Try hiding a small light behind the model's head or below the live area of the photo and point to the background.

Also, I found this book very helpful for all kinds of things: "Creative Lighting Techniques" by Dave Montizambert here's a link at Amazon.com:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/158428093X/qid=1068633437/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-5591995-2602459?v=glance&s=books

Check out my website, not very conventional, but something different: www.ottophokuz.com

Good Luck!

Okay, first off: Photography isn't a cheap hobby or profession, so as far as spending money --get over it.

I recently purchased two clamps that fit onto regular stands. They have a screw-in at the top similar to the camera bottom for tripods. The clamp also has a place to secure umbrellas. They swivel, etc. Try B&H photo, 'swivel-brackets' about $28@.

If you have a controller, I assume you're using the Canon digital?

If so, you probably can get out of having to buy a flash meter, like the Minolta VI for $250.

If it's home and you need backdrops, don't limit yourself, try coloring some plain sheets, hang the backdrop from the ceiling on a piece of conduit, (really cheap). Couple of hanging plant hooks and some wire, you got it made.

Be creative! Nessecity is the Mother of Invention.

One thought might be that they were not packed well and bounced around too much.

Also, I'm not sure what lights they are but some photofloods that are balanced for color temperature have a short life span to begin with.

Those balanced temp. lights last for so many hours before the temperature degrades and renders them useless.

Just try some normal house bulbs in there and leave them on for an evening while you're hanging out. If they burn out that night, then I would contact Smith-Victor about the problem or return them to B&H

Found a listing in the new Samy's Camera catalog (printed) but nothing on the website.

On camera lists for $79 and braket for $39

Then there's a Studio version 18inches x 19 500w/s and 1000 w/s for $499 and $659 respectively.

November 5 2003

800-321-4726

Looks very interesting, I want one, but have found no info on it whatsever.