Category Archives: How-to

A collection of articles that guide and instruct photographers, videographers and other creators on enriching their production and creating fantastic content.

How-to

Rechargeable Wireless Microphone: Things You Need to Know

Posted on by StudioBackdrops
  1. How to charge your wireless microphone properly?
  2. What if it doesn’t charge even after connecting the cable?
  3. What is the recording time after a full charge?

Charge your Wireless Microphone effectively

A rechargeable UHF wireless microphone system or a 2.4G one is simple to charge. But there are some things you can do to make your audio device last longer.

Turn off the wireless microphone before charging

Before you start charging your microphone, you should switch it off. It is important because the additional power supply can harm your microphone. And it can damage other musical instruments connected to the same power supply. Make sure you have pressed the power button and turned off the microphone before plugging the cable in and connecting to the power source.

Protect the Battery

Everyone wants their wireless microphone to last a long time. But it is only possible when you are careful with the usage. Before you go about plugging the microphone into any power source, find out what the suggested voltage and current are. Your battery will stay protected if you use the optimum voltage to charge your device.

The best way to charge your wireless microphone is to connect it to a charger on an active computer using a USB cable. If you are having trouble locating the USB port, refer to the manual. There is always a cover on the USB port to keep your device safe. The indicator on the microphone will light up to show you the charging status. If it’s red, it means it is charging.

Be sure to follow the power requirements in the manual to keep your battery safe.

Don’t Overcharge

Your wireless microphone is not meant to be charged continuously. Most lavalier wireless microphones take just a few hours to charge fully. So, keep an eye out. Once the indicator turns blue, green, or goes off completely, your device is fully charged. Disconnect the cable as soon as it’s done. Because overcharging will do more harm to the battery than you know.

This is probably why your device is not charging

If your wireless microphone is low on battery and not charging even when plugged into a power source, these can be the possible reasons. You can follow the below points to quickly troubleshoot your microphone.

  • Sometimes, the answer is simple – it is just not connected right. Check the cable and make sure it is snugly plugged into the charging port. The microphone will not work with the power source if it is not aligned.
  • Your power supply could be damaged. If you have an AC adapter, check it separately to make sure it is in perfect working condition.
  • There could be an issue with your wireless microphone. If there is physical damage to your device, it will likely end up as the source of your charging problem.
  • The wireless microphone receiver might not be functional. If you are using a rechargeable wireless microphone system you need to make sure the receiver is fully charged and the signal is strong.
  • There is an issue with the charging port. It needs to be replaced if it has any damage to it.

What is the recording time with one charge?

Every Synco wireless microphone is made to give you optimum performance. A single charge can power your device for a recording time of 5 to 10 hours. And some of the audio devices in this range already have an inbuilt battery. So, according to the capacity, they can give you an even longer recording time. But every Synco audio device gives you a minimum usage time of 5 hours.

The range and clarity of the signal impact the battery life. If signals are transmitted over longer periods, the battery life will be shorter. The brand, size, and battery capacity of the rechargeable wireless microphone also matter when it comes to battery life.

We hope this guide helps you understand how to utilise your wireless microphone better. Good luck recording!

How-to

Canvas Backdrops: Everything You Need To Know

Posted on by StudioBackdrops

There has never been a more competitive time in the field of photography than now. There are so many platforms for photographers and so much content out there, that it is nearly impossible to stand out. However, if you want your photography to stand out in this rat race, let us tell you that canvas backdrops are the answer to all your problems.

Creating still life with professional finesse is what canvas backdrops are famous for. If you want to shift your photography hobby into a commercial venture? Or are you someone who feels that your photography skills are stagnating and need some upgrade?  Or do you wish to expand your photography business into new domains like food photography, baby photography, and so on? In short, they are a one-stop solution to all your photography needs.

Canvas backdrops will address each and every concern of yours. In simple words, canvas backdrops have become an absolutely essential tool today for succeeding in the photography domain. 

History of Canvas Backdrops

Traces of canvas backdrops can be found as far back as the nineteenth century. The early photography studios used rustic or quasi-classical designs on canvas. These canvas backgrounds were mostly used for portrait photography. However, these portraits belonged to the people of the bourgeoisie or the elite class. Canvas backdrops were a preferred option in family photographs too.

Although, when Brownie and Kodak cameras came into fashion, photography shifted from the elite studios to the masses. This caused a few decades of decline for canvas. But the high quality and premium results of canvas backdrops could not be ignored for long. And it regained its older glory when photography became a prime profession worldwide.

In the post-pandemic era when a large chunk of the customer base has shifted to online shopping, the demand for photography, mainly product and food photography has skyrocketed. As a result canvas backdrops have again taken the center stage in the photography world.

The Superior Quality of Canvas Backdrops

Photographers who have used canvas backdrops can vouch for their quality. In fact, these backdrops have become a synonym for quality and class today. It’s precisely for this reason that despite plenty of options available in the market, the canvas backdrop is worldwide photographers’ favourite. 

We provide the best canvas backdrops here at Studiobackdrops.com. Every backdrop is made with a 250 gsm fabric that gives them a sturdy texture. We also use the most premium industry-standard paints to paint these backdrops. Most importantly, the highly durable nature of our canvas backdrops is the prime marker of their superior quality.

This excellent quality of canvas backdrops is not only reflected in their material but also in the designs. The variety of patterns, textures, and paintings made on these backdrops is simply outstanding. Therefore, with canvas backdrops, you get a perfect blend of desired patterns on the best quality canvas material.

The Different Varieties of Canvas

The best advantage of canvas backdrops is their wide variety. There are so many options to choose from that you will never feel your skills getting stagnated. There will always be immense scope to experiment and innovate.

We at studiobackdrops.com offer you three categories of canvas backdrops. They are well suited for different kinds of photography and can be selected as per your specific requirements. 

  1. Handpainted backdrops

These backdrops specialize in their uniqueness, their refreshing outlook, and vibrant rich colours. Created by a team of highly experienced artisans, these backdrops are masterpieces made on order for you. The fine art paints used in these handpainted backdrops are carefully chosen to ensure that the end result is a completely matte finish. 

Our Airbrushed and Brushwork designs are especially preferred by photographers. We also provide Scenic and Textured backdrops that free you from the time-consuming hassle of creating a set.  In fact, the touch of old-styled rustic backgrounds adds a classy vintage mood to the photos. Our Old Master backdrops have a beautiful vignette design that is perfect for creating that classic style of portraiture. 

  1. Canvas Solid

Made from 250 GSM premium quality Indian cotton fabric, our canvas solid backdrops give you superior results.  Their rich texture and colour composition make them one of the top-ranking options. These backdrops can be easily used in portrait photography, baby photography, maternity photography, etc. They help a lot in saving time and resources that go into post-photography processing. 

  1. Tabletop Backdrops 

Tabletop backdrops play a vital role in food and product photography. Our food photography backdrops are carefully designed to give a more appetizing look to your food item. Even for product photography, our backdrops are specially made to enhance the product in depth.

Although they are canvas backdrops, the tabletop backdrops are made with 300gsm canvas. Each backdrop is painted to order and painted by hand. The paints and dyes used are the most premium and they ensure a surface that can handle any kind of spill. The texture on these backdrops is amazing and will elevate your products instantly. 

 Why Canvas is the Right Choice?

When it comes to choosing the right backdrop, the problem of plenty can be real. Therefore, finding the best backdrop which is most suited to your need requires careful selection.  In this context, the canvas can be said to be the right choice for you, because of its following features:

Unique: When each backdrop is exclusively hand-painted by trained artists, the outcome is nothing short of exceptional. This gives a distinct uniqueness to canvas backdrops. This quality is difficult to find in other varieties of backdrops.

Versatile: Handpainted canvas backdrops are the easiest and most cost-effective way to achieve visual effects in your photography. A Scenic backdrop will provide you with a gorgeous view of the beach, forests, or mountains without you having to do the travel. Even other categories like the Brushwork or Textured will give you a variety of deep, rich colours and textures. A handpainted canvas backdrop gives you more depth and richness in all your images. 

Canvas backdrops are an investment when it comes to photography. They help you stand apart from the crowd with the uniqueness they provide. The best part is that they are perfectly suited for all kinds of photography – whether it is fashion, portrait, maternity, baby photography, and even food and product photography.  

 

 

 

How-to

Things you need to know about Twistflex Backdrops

Posted on by StudioBackdrops

Gone are the days when photographers had to break their backs carrying multiple bulky backdrops while traveling. Today, we have Twistflex Backdrops as a one-stop solution for lightweight, easy portability, and wide varieties. This backdrop pops up in a matter of seconds, letting you have a portable studio, virtually anywhere you go. No wonder photographers worldwide have Twistflex backdrops on top of their ‘must-have’ list.

What are Twistflex Backdrops?

Twistflex backdrops are the handiest option for photography. You can perfectly fold them into compact circles which in turn go into their complementary zipper case. The material used for Twistflex can be of many types. It can be canvas, muslin, or polyester. Our current range of Twistflex backdrops are made of 165gsm fabric. And have a premium light absorption quality which produces classic reflection-free portraits. However, the biggest attraction point of Twistflex backdrops is the myriad of designs available here. Given its double-sided nature, you can already double your options for creativity!

When can you use a Twistflex?

Twistflex Backdrops have revolutionized the world of photography. With these versatile and affordable backdrops, top-notch photoshoots are no more just confined to a few elite studios.

If you have a small studio space that may not have enough room for a full backdrop setup, Twistflex backdrops are the way to go. They come as collapsible discs, so setting them up is super easy. Also, their steel frame ensures that they remain steady even without a stand, further addressing the space crunch. However, you can always opt for a size-adjustable stand for extra stability and better angles. Twistflex can also be supremely useful for a Home Studio setup. Digital content developers, social media entrepreneurs, and even video game players can have these amazing backgrounds, well within their homes.

But, if you are someone who travels a lot for work then Twistflex Backdrops are the most essential arsenal you must possess. You might come across locations where the natural backdrop is not fitting or you might have to shoot in small pieces here and there. And the terrain can also be challenging for setting up a full-fledged backdrop. Then Twistflex backdrops are going to be your savior. You can very conveniently set them up without any extra gear. It is equally easy to wrap them up to move to the next shoot.

Twistflex Backdrops are mostly preferred for taking headshot portraits. But the wide varieties of dimensions provided by us, going up to 6 feet by 7 feet can give you 3/4th coverage as well. It is also ideal for standing video photography outdoors. Vloggers particularly use them as gateways to create exciting backgrounds.

How to use Twistflex Backdrops?

Twistflex backdrops can fold down to 1/3rd of their original size in a collapsible backdrop kit. Although this process of opening and folding the backdrop is no rocket science, a few points can improve the lifespan of your backdrops.

Your backdrop pops open the moment you take it out of the kit. This can be mounted vertically or horizontally from a stand, hook or can simply be fixed to furniture with clamps. If you are getting a stand for Twistflex backdrops, it is already equipped with a tight clip on the top.

Clearly, setting up the backdrop is an easy task. However, the folding part can get a little tricky. For this, you need to hold the backdrop in front of you with your hands on each side and fold it inwards, making a V shape. Further closing the V gap, make the two ends of the backdrop meet. Then, while holding the backdrop still,  allow the bottom to come in towards you. Finally, keeping your hands on the top of the backdrop, follow the collapsing action downward. You can then store it in its complementary bag. Try to fold the backdrop on different sides after each use for avoiding any permanent stretch on the frame.

Benefits of using Twistflex Backdrops:

Many times, photographers reach a creativity blockage and try to explore avenues to expand their photography skills and style. There can be no better tool to experiment with than Twistflex backdrops. There are multiple reasons behind this

Reversible Feature

Twistflex offers to choose from multiple combinations of double-sided backdrops. The multiple varieties offered due to this reversible nature give Twistflex backdrops a high advantage. In fact, these varieties in turn have many sub-varieties based on solid colors, printed backgrounds, and painted options. Therefore, most photographers carry multiple such discs with them for exploring a wide variety of options.

Storing and Transporting

As discussed earlier, the light-weight and collapsible feature of Twistflex Backdrops enhance portability and comfort multiple times. The complementary zipper case further increases safe storage and transportation. This makes it extremely travel-friendly.

Bonus Green Screen and Reflector

The best quality of the Twistflex backdrop is that it can also be used as a reflector. Particularly, the Black and White Twistflex offered by us is especially preferred for this. Similarly, the Chromakey Blue and Green Twistflex backdrop can be used as a green screen. Having such a screen in your gear can make post-production effects very simple and easy too.

Hence, if you wish to refine your photography skills and push the limits of your creativity Twistflex backdrops can surely be a very versatile, very trustworthy companion.

Ideal for Vlogging and Headshots

With these backdrops, it’s very convenient to creatively control the lighting, composition, and editing of headshot photography. Even if you are a gamer at a desk and wish to experiment with your background with exciting effects, Twistflex can be a very easy option.

Easy to Clean

Given collapsible backdrops fold up, they can get wrinkled easily. However, when they are open and stretched taut, these wrinkles are barely visible. You can easily get rid of these wrinkles with a steam iron.

How-to

Cloth Backdrops – Everything To Know About Them

Posted on by StudioBackdrops

Freeing background from unnecessary clutter is like second nature to any photographer. And Cloth Backdrops are the most essential tools in this exercise. The increasing importance of digital advertising and social media-based entrepreneurship has increased the demand for cloth backdrops. So, an understanding of these backdrops is vital to make your photography stand out. It is what separates professionals from amateurs.

If you want to target the precise mood of the photoshoot. And address the ever-rising demand of clients for ‘uniqueness. And take your portrait from basic level to inspirational – then cloth backdrops are the way to go! After all, what’s behind the subject is as important as what’s in front of it. 

What are Cloth Backdrops?

Simply put, cloth backdrops are the fabric-based screen or background that separates your main subject from the overall image. Their main purpose is to add a depth effect to the subject. Photographers prefer them in areas of portrait photography, fashion photography, and baby photography. They play a role in controlling the light conditions and adding a surrounding effect. And that makes them useful for product photography and shooting videos too. The diverse varieties of colours, styles, and textures that they offer, make them very versatile. They can build an extra appeal to the photo’s subject, aiding better communication with the viewers. This instantly makes them professionals’ favourites!

Types of Backdrops 

When it comes to varieties of cloth backdrops, the sky is the limit! Hence, sorting through the choices and finding the best-suited cloth backdrop for your shoot can give you an edge. The three most popular variants of fabric to choose from are Canvas, Muslin, and Polyester.

Canvas Backdrops

Canvas backdrops are a classy variety that offers a wide range of subtle and dramatic patterns. They provide an interesting background to a portrait without competing with the main subject for attention. The canvas backdrops that we offer are all minimum 250gsm (gram per square meter) fabric, offering a firm background to the image. Within this material, we offer two kinds of backdrops – Solid and Handpainted. The handpainted category offers unique designs and patterns all created by a team of experienced artists. Brushwork and Airbrushed designs provided by us are especially preferred for highlighting the subject in depth, as you can see here. With Scenic and Textured backdrops, we provide vibrant sceneries and elaborate designs that frees you from the hassle of creating a set. In fact, these backdrops have an exceptional appeal to viewers’ emotions, making them want to stop and look at your creation! 

Muslin Backdrops

Muslin backdrops are much lighter and thinner, as they are constructed from cotton. Our muslin backdrop thickness starts from 165gsm. We provide two main types here – Mottled Muslin and Single Colour Muslin. The Mottled variety in turn offers splendid versatility such as 3D, Crush Dyed, Handpainted, Solid, Washed, and Reversible. They offer a solid-looking background when hung flat and can also be draped over different surfaces to transform the look of a picture.

By manipulating how it hangs these backdrops can be used to utilize the studio space in the most effective way! With the Single Color variant, you can experiment and explore the different background lighting techniques to give the portrait a neutral or dramatic touch. These backdrops are particularly in demand for their price reasonability. They are also conveniently portable and do not wrinkle very easily- earning them a dominant position in the market.

Polyester Backdrops

Another type of fabric backdrop that is gaining prominence is Polyester, particularly because they are free from shrinkage and wrinkles. They are washable, very convenient to store, and offer high resistance to wear and tears, hence very long-lasting as well. Another unique advantage of using polyester fabric is the fact that they absorb light rather than reflect it, aiding in glare-free shots.

The film industry prefers cloth backdrops because they are very convenient in shooting a scene inside the studio. You can easily artificially edit them (like the green screen editing) and replace with the required natural environment like a beach, forest, etc. 

The pros of using cloth backdrops

The market for photography backdrops has expanded exponentially in the last few years. A wide variety of materials are available today. And yet cloth backdrop is a preferred choice for professionals worldwide for several reasons.

  • Durability: Cloth backdrops are called ‘legacy’ purchases for their durability factor. Canvas backdrops are a long-term investment. Muslin and Polyester are easily reusable. They also withstand normal wear and tear.
  • Storage and Transportation: Backdrops often become damaged or unusable if not stored properly. But with muslin backdrops, you can just stuff them in the bag when done. Canvas backdrops require some caution and are stored in shipping tubes for ease.
  • Appearance: Canvas provides a formal look with very refined and finished results loved by the best photographers worldwide.  The visual advantage of Muslin is that it holds dye better than any other fabric so the colours on backdrops appear very vivid and saturated. 
  • Non-Reflective Surface: The flash of a camera or shine of the spotlight when it gets reflected by the backdrop, creates a distraction from the main subject. To avoid this, we offer high-quality absorbent fabric that absorbs light instead of reflecting it. 
  • Price reasonability: For backdrops, some people go for cheaper alternatives but a higher cost is inflicted due to the time spent on trying to fix it. The wise can well assess that time is money! 

Hence, from the age of hand-painted scenery hung at the back of a stage theatre to the era of digitally designed backdrops, the relevance of cloth backdrops has remained consistent and evolving. No wonder, some of the world’s most famous artistic photographers attribute their stunning portraiture to their selection of cloth backdrops. They are truly the very keystone for bringing the subject of a photo to life-which indeed is the ultimate purpose of photography!

How-to

Muslin Backdrops – The Dos and Don’ts

Posted on by StudioBackdrops

A versatile and long-lasting product, muslin backdrops are used in theatre production, studio photography, video production, and more. Muslin backdrops have a very long and rich history and both professionals and novices use them.  And we are sure you must have come across several versions of these cloth backdrops in your photography career. The heavy-duty curtains they use in school and college theatres? They are all made of muslin.

Here is a comprehensive guide to muslin backdrops. It has everything you need to know before buying the photography backdrop and how to do proper maintenance afterwards.

What are Muslin Backdrops?

Muslin backdrops are made of 100% cotton fabric and coloured with dyes. The solid material is lightweight, easy to set up and use, and remains the same colour even after years of usage.

Our muslin backdrops are made with a cotton fabric that is resistant to wear and tear. We work with the best textile manufacturers in India to stay up to date with industry standards and give you better quality time after time. The fabric we use is 100% Indian cotton and ranges from 165gsm to 350gsm.

We offer you several different kinds of Muslin Backdrops – Mottled Muslin, Single Colour Muslin, and Portable Backdrops. The difference between the three categories is the painting and dyeing techniques used to create the patterns and designs as well as their utilities.

Mottled Muslin backdrops are one seamless piece of cotton fabric. We create them with creative dyeing techniques, some of which are our in-house speciality. And the best feature is that they help you get better lighting as the backdrop removes any extra reflection from the image. 

Single Colour Muslin backdrops are also made with one piece of seamless cotton. As the name suggests, they are coloured in one solid colour and give you the option of selecting garments and models to create a unique shoot. 

The Portable Backdrops come with their own collapsible steel frames. It gives you a very smooth surface that ensures you don’t get inconsistent lighting. And you can prop it against a wall or a pole without any extra help, making it very easy to set up in any given location. 

Can Muslin Backdrops improve your content?

A good backdrop shifts the focus of the audience to the subject of photography. Muslin backdrops help you achieve this in various ways. The natural folds and creases add extra depth and texture.

If you love a certain location and want to design a set around it, then our muslin backdrops are pretty useful. As they are extremely portable and lightweight, you can carry them around easily. You can drape them across a stable surface, lay them out on the floor, or hang them on a wire or rod. If you get one of our X-Frame backdrops, you will get a ready-made frame that you can prop up without any help. 

Image Credits: Kalyani Ambike(Left) & Ashwin Fernandes (Right)

Creating full-length fashion photographs, videos, and reels becomes a hassle-free process with a backdrop that is hanging in one place. You can walk around on it or dance on it without worrying that the backdrop might tear, as the sturdy cotton fabric is very durable. And you can use it for topdown shots or videos.

The versatility of muslin also extends to product photography and food photography. They are easy to style and you can mould them around the product you want to highlight. There is no limit to how creative you can get with a backdrop like this.

How to take care of Muslin Backdrops?

Muslin backdrops are very lightweight and you can easily pack them up and take them to any location. To ensure that you get maximum use out of one backdrop you can follow some simple tips and tricks.  

The cotton fabric gets natural wrinkles the more you use it or if you store it for a long time. Get rid of these wrinkles easily by using a steam iron, flat clothes iron or a water spray. If you are using an iron to remove the crease, then make sure it is on low heat. It will keep the dye from reacting and/or changing colours and looking odd on camera. But a steam iron is the safer option because it preserves the colours and is also easy to use. A water spray is the safest way to preserve the colours and the fabric. Spray the backdrop and let it hang freely so the wrinkle disappears on its own. 

And if you don’t have the time to get the creases out, there is a simple way to make sure they don’t appear in your photos. You will have to shoot with a larger aperture and get your subject to pose at a distance from the backdrop. This gets rid of all obvious wrinkles. 

After your shoot is over, fold up the backdrop and store it in the packet. Ideally, store it in the same packet we deliver it in. Keep it in a wardrobe, cupboard, or even a utility closet. The main thing to remember is that it is safe from both direct sunlight and humidity. Add silica gel packets to remove moisture around it.

We do not recommend washing the backdrops in a washing machine as it removes the vibrant dyes of the backdrop and adds extra creases. If the backdrop has dirt then use a sponge and non-abrasive detergent to remove it from the spot.

We hope this guide helps you make a more guided decision with muslin backdrops. 

How-to

How to create the ideal Home Studio?

Posted on by StudioBackdrops.com

How to create the ideal home studio

At Studiobackdrops.com, we are constantly taking feedback from you to improve our products. We work with a wide array of professional and amateur photographers and try to solve their issues and everyday challenges. One question that is frequently asked is – how to create the perfect home studio?

Photography equipment is a long-term investment that might not explain itself when you are trying to make a purchase. We have consulted several professional photographers who have been working with our products to answer this question.

We want to go step by step and guide you with products that will make sure your home studio fits your needs.

1. Backdrops

Let’s start building our home studio with the most important product – the backdrop. Self-portraits, video, product shoots, food blogs – every kind of creative shoot needs a backdrop that enhances the subject.

At Studiobackdrops.com, there are 3 main categories of backdrops you can choose from. Paper backdrops, Muslin backdrops, and Hand-painted Canvas backdrops. To know which backdrop will suit your personal and professional needs better read here.

Any backdrop you pick can be easily stored and put away for later use. The muslin can be folded and stored in a dust-free area. The paper and canvas backdrops can be rolled up tightly and kept upright if needed.

Tip: To remove wrinkles before or after usage you can use a simple steam iron.

2. Backdrop Stand

A backdrop stand might not be a justified purchase at first glance. But it is good for preserving your backdrops. It also makes the process of shooting photos/videos much easier. In a home studio, you would need a backdrop stand that can be broken down and put away for later use.

The AriesX backdrop stand is made of two tripods and an extension rod. It comes in an easy-to-carry bag that also doubles up as a storage bag. The tripod can be folded to reduce the amount of space it takes. The extension rod can be separated into 3 or 4 parts.

This stand reduces the time and pressure that builds up when you are creating a setup. Once the stand is in place, you can put the backdrop up and create the rest of your set around it.

3. Light Setup

While natural sunlight may seem the best option for clicking images, it is not easy to control. It also requires a lot of modifying and editing later. One of the main benefits of a home studio setup is that you can easily modify the light while you are creating your setup.

To make sure your product is evenly lit you usually need two sources of light – a main and fill (or background and a foreground light). We would recommend the AriesX Quark 400 3 Light Kit or the Muon 600 2 Light Kit.

The AriesX Quark is meant for beginners as it is easy to use, has intuitive programming, and is smaller in size. It is the better option if you are learning about lighting on the go.

The AriesX Muon 600 Light is best suited if you want a workhorse. It delivers the precise power output every single time you click the flash and delivers it for long periods of time.

The difference between the two kits is very small. They come in easy-to-carry travel cases. Both can be stored away very easily in almirahs or lofts.

4. Tripod

One of the biggest problems of creating professional-level photos/videos is the stability of your image. You might need to create a time-lapse or change things around in your set frequently to get the desired result on camera.

However, if you don’t have someone to assist you or to hold the camera in the right place, then a tripod is necessary for a home studio setup. When your frame is stable you can easily make the minor improvements you need to your subject.

Our AriesX Heavy Duty Tripod and AriesX Professional Tripod work with a wide array of cameras and mobiles. (Mobile holder sold separately) It ensures that the quality and consistency of your image are constant.

These are some of the very basic products that will help you achieve the ideal home studio. Each of these products come with their own added benefits. They are easy to work with and will last you for a long time if you do some regular upkeep.

We hope this comprehensive guide will help you make a better choice when it comes to picking the right product. For any more queries, please contact us.

How-to

How the Surface affects Lighting when shooting Glass Bottles

Posted on by StudioBackdrops.com

Here’s a 7-minute video in which photographer Dustin Dolby of Workphlo demonstrates how your choice of shooting table influences the resulting lighting when shooting bottles.

Dolby starts by showing the resulting highlight you get when placing the bottle on a “normal” rectangular table and lighting it with a speedlight and stripbox adapter.

The table’s edge presents a barrier for placing the light. Adjusting the position of the light will alter the resulting highlight on the bottle, but they all have the flaw of not having a clean highlight where it meets the bottom of the bottle and table.

Next, Dolby uses a custom-welded rectangular shooting table that’s about the size of a textbook. For a similar solution, you can buy a baby wall plate.

While the issue at the bottom of the highlight has been suppressed a little bit, it’s still not “clean as a whistle.”

Finally, Dolby uses an even smaller circular custom-welded shooting table that fits just a single wine bottle. For a similar solution, you can also use an upside-down cup.

This table allows the highlight to extend all the way down to the bottom of the bottle. To finish the lighting with the one-light setup, you can add a reflector card on the opposite side.

 

How-to

How to Remove Light Stands via Compositing in Less Than 2 Minutes

Posted on by StudioBackdrops.com

In this video, I’ll show you a simple Photoshop compositing technique to remove light stands from your images in less than two minutes. Then, we’ll do a complete rundown of how the image was shot, lit, and processed.

Why is Compositing Useful?

Here are some reasons why you’ll want to spend a minute and learn this technique:

1. Not enough flash power: We’re often working with lights that don’t pack enough power to be placed out of frame. Although medium-large strobes (like the Profoto B10 or Godox AD200) have become quite popular, they aren’t in everyone’s toolkit.

2. Shooting wide: maybe you are looking to achieve a wider composition but still need to add light to your subject.

3. Creative purposes: maybe you are intending on using your lights to really spotlight your subjects and getting your light stand close to your subject is the easiest way to do this.

Regardless of the reason, this is a useful and simple technique to master, here are the steps. To make this quick, we’ll jump straight to the editing portion of this tutorial, assuming you’ve already shot a “plate image.” If you don’t know what a “plate” shot is, watch the video in full, or start with the section below on “How the Image was Lit and Photographed.”

Posted in PetaPixel by Pye Jirsa
How-to

How to Balance Strobe Light with Ambient Light

Posted on by StudioBackdrops.com

My name is Jay P. Morgan from The Slanted Lens, and in this 6.5-minute video and article, I’ll illustrate the balance of strobes with ambient light. Whether it’s inside or outside, you’re going to have to learn the formula to balance strobes with ambient light. It’s not that hard, so let’s go back to 1930 and learn the formula!

For this shoot, we are using a Ford 1929 Model A with our two talents, Devyn Howard and Michael Nelson. We’re going to play around with different situations and eventually get to a night shot here. The idea is to balance the strobes with that direct sun and then into an ambient dark setup later on.

So this is the formula you need to understand.

#1: Choose aperture setting

What aperture do you want in the setting? How much depth of field do you want in the shot? f/2.8 is going to be wide open, f/11 is going to be everything in focus.

#2: Match strobe power to aperture setting

#3: Match shutter speed to ambient light

When you balance these two, you get exactly what you want.

Setup #1

Here’s our first setup and we’ll use our formula.

I’ve got our softbox off to camera left here. I chose f/5.6 so there is a little bit of depth of field and I see some detail in the background.

The power of the strobe is perfect on her face.

Setup #2

Here’s a more subtle application of the formula. First off I’m just going to take a shot of the ambient light. I’m going to keep it fairly dark.

As this is a little dark, I just want to brighten it up just a little bit. I’ve gone to f/3.5 because I don’t want as much depth of field because I want the background to fall more out of focus because they are at the car and I can hold them and the car mostly in focus here at f/3.5.

So there we have it; just a kiss of light on their faces.

Setup #3

I love shooting at nighttime because you have complete control of the light. First off, we’re going to combine our strobe with the ambient light we have it the shot from the car lights and the LED in the lantern.

Starting with our aperture, we’re going to do f/4.5. I don’t want to open all the way to f/2.8 because I want enough depth of field to see the front of the car, so f/4.5 becomes what I have to balance my strobe with.

Now that I have my aperture, I’m going to lengthen my shutter until the lights from the car give me a nice ring light on my couple and now I can see the lantern in the foreground really nice.

I’m putting a little LED inside the car back there so I can open up the car just a little bit.

Next, I’m going to add a blue light. This is a Dynalite Baja B4 to camera left and camera right. This opens up the car, the grass, and the whole scene really nicely.

Now the last thing to do is, when I put this into Photoshop, I’m going to open up the shadows a bit and that gives us a nice open scene, even though it’s nighttime.

Conclusion

So that’s how to balance strobes with ambient light. You’ll do it every time you shoot regardless of where you’re at because it’s seldom that you’ll be setting up strobes and you don’t also have an ambient light source you’re balancing to.

Keep those cameras rolling, and keep on clicking.

About the author: Jay P. Morgan is a commercial photographer with over two decades of experience in the industry. He teaches photography through his company, The Slanted Lens, which runs a popular YouTube channel. This article was also published here.