How to Use Cardboard as a Studio Background | Take and Make Great Photography with Gavin Hoey
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- čas přidán 13. 07. 2024
- This could be the cheapest physical background ever! On the face of it, using a brown cardboard box as a background might not sound like the smartest idea. Metal staples, parcel tape, and labels are just three of the things you really don’t want to see in the background of your portraits but when you use recycled cardboard packaging, they’re hard to avoid.
That’s where photographer Gavin Hoey can help. He breaks down how to backlight a sheet of cardboard (with hand-made holes) to create a bokeh effect. Gavin explains how to light your model, not the cardboard, and how to maximize the circles of bokeh.
But Gavin isn’t done there. Next, he turns the cardboard into a star-filled background by turning the holes punched into the cardboard into miniature four-pointed stars of light. The secret is a low-cost “starburst” filter that he attaches to his lens.
Finally, Gavin switches the set-up around and uses the cardboard as a cookie or gobo. By shining light from his Flashpoint XPLOR300 through the holes, Gavin can project the pattern of the holey cardboard onto the wall of his studio.
Timestamps and Chapters
0:00 Intro
1:24 Getting the best bokeh effect in camera
4:41 Bokeh cardboard background session
4:28 Beam of light photo session
5:30 Keeping the holes of light small
6:48 Transform points of light into stars
7:29 Starburst cardboard background session
8:10 Turning the background into a cookie or Gobo
9:40 Projected light dots portrait session
11:01 Conclusions and Subscribe
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✘ PRODUCTS USED:
Olympus M.Zuiko 45mm f/1.2
www.adorama.com/iom4512.html
Flashpoint XPLOR 300 Pro
www.adorama.com/fplfx300ptb.html
Flashpoint eVOLV 200 Pro
www.adorama.com/fplfev200pk1....
Flashpoint R2 Pro Transmitter
www.adorama.com/fprrr2proo.html
Flashpoint 10’ C-Stand and Grip Arm
www.adorama.com/fplsc.html
Glow S2 Round Flash S-type Bowens Mount Bracket
www.adorama.com/glbdsm02pro.html
OM SYSTEM OM-1
www.adorama.com/iomom1.html
OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko 12-40mm f/2.8 Pro II
www.adorama.com/iom1240pb.html
Tether Tools Pro 16' USB 2.0 Active Extension Cable
www.adorama.com/ttcu1917.html
Flashpoint Snoot Kit
www.adorama.com/fplfsnb.html
Glow EZ Lock Collapsible Silver Beauty Dish (25")
www.adorama.com/glbdez25s.html
Glow EZ Lock Collapsible Silver Beauty Dish (42")
www.adorama.com/glbdez42s.html
Hoya Four Point Cross Screen Glass Filter (4X)
www.adorama.com/hy62s4.html
#studiophotography #studiolighting #adorama
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Follow Gavin Hoey on
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Model: Chloe Kerley
/ chloekmodel
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THANKS SO MUCH FOR WATCHING! - Jak na to + styl
This video is the proof that it does not take expensive gear to be creative. Fantastic video, thank you for that. Cheers.
That stand itself is probably upwards of $150 :) Photography, esp studio photography is always expensive, so saving up with a bit of cardboard is hardly felt.
100%
Yes the card board isn’t expensive but the creativeness is just the tip of the iceberg. You still need the basic equipment: light sources, modifiers, stands (standard and boom) and don’t forget the wide aperture lense that doesn’t come cheap.
A great video nonetheless!
Yeah, it's such a great tip to use inexpensive materials to make a great shoot. Only thing though, is that it had me thinking (and realizing) that I "only" needed 3 x Godox Ad300's or 200's, 3 x tripods for the lights, 3 x softboxes, 1 x snoot, 1 x trigger, 1 x camera and some standard equipment as SD-cards, backup batteries for the lights and cameras etc.... So suddenly I realized, that the ”inexpensive setup” wasn’t quite as inexpensive as I thought in the beginning 😉
But hey, most of us photographers do need an excuse to purchase new equipment… mine is, that I’ll wait buying the equipment “next year” 😉
The final picture needed 3 strobes with modifier. I would argue that 's expensive.
Chloe's best makeup look - absolutely amazing
Gav for the win again. Always finding simple thing to create something unique. Definitely one I’ll be giving a go :)
The longer I live, the more I realize I don't know and how much your videos help me to continue to grow. Thanks so much for all you do for us, Gavin. The world of photography is a better world with you in it. Thanks so much.
Huie D. (Bay California)
Thanks for the kind words Huie and BTW, it works both ways... I owe the photography world and all of you in it so very much 😊
Thanks Gavin! This is definately the best posible use of the leftover packaging from the Christmas season! 🤩
Another great idea creating video from Gavin! Thanks for all you do Gavin and please keep the videos coming.
Great tips, I'm definitely trying them out (that b-roll of Gavin smashing the cardboard had me laughing so hard 😆)
The best medicine on any given day is watching/learning from Gavin. Season's Greetings mate 🎄🎅
You are one of the craftiness people I have ever seen when it comes to photography. Endlessly entertaining whilst teaching these techniques _ you always inspire me. Thanks for all your hard work.
Cheers
great video Gavin, interesting effect and good results Well done.
Thanks John 👍
Every video from Gavin is just magic!
So glad to have you back! You've inspired many of our club's tech Tuesday sessions
Excellent stuff Gavin and Chloe. You're going to have to get another trademark now. The Brooklyn reflector has new competition.
Genius Gavin!!.
As always great video!
Finally Gavin talks about bokeh 😊
Been warching all of gavin videos the past couple days, love the content.
How does Gavin keep blowing this channel up with fun and funny options!
Gavin é sempre um show no mundo da fotografia. Parabéns!!!
You are a Bad Mannn. I luv your videos, creativity, and knowledge.
That was cool! Will def try it out. Thanks, Gavin!🎉🎉🎉
This is brilliant! Thanks Gavin and happy new year!
Thank you Gavin for another very clever technique and how-to video.
Thank you for all the valuable content you and the team have bought to us. Wish you and the team an even more creative 2024! Your lessons are awesome!
Another superb video. Love the way you take completely mundane objects and create superb works of art with it. Excellent.
As usual, a truly inspiring video with some clever ideas. Congratulations and thanks for sharing!
This is AWESOME! The skill you exhibit is amazing. I will definitely be making use of this is my own home studio as well.
So creative and fun! Fantastic job by you guys.
As usual a great video ...many thanks...inspirering ❤
This is such a great way to be creative. Love it!
Love this...simple, cheap, and fun!
Really enjoyed this... Thank you so much Gavin, Chloe and All ❤
Gavin, you're fantastic, yet another useful video presented in such an inspirational and enthusiastic way. Thank you!
I tried the starlight idea with the filter and it worked great!
That's awesome. Thanks for the comment 👍
Hi Gavin. Thanks for every technique that you teaching, it amazing how whit simple things you take beautiful photos. Thanks
This is SO simple yet versatile! Cannot wait to do some creating with one of my own.
Always a great idea for us to try out! Thank you Gavin. Wishing you and your whole team a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful New Year in 2024 and beyond.
Fantastic! I am going to try this. When I see a Gavin Hoey video pop up I give it a like before watching since I know that it will be stellar.
thank you - it is fun - happy new year everyone
Yet another fantastic idea to try in the future. Just ordered my parts for a light strainer/blaster to try out with one of your previous videos with the silver walls.
Oh my goodness, Gavin, I haven't seen your videos in years. You're looking great.
Welcome back, you've missed LOTS of content and yes I also lost a few lbs (found a few of the lost ones recently too!)
@@GavinHoey that’s fantastic I still go back to your texture wrap video occasionally. The one where you wrapped the Union Jack on your hand.
Great video, thanks for sharing your knowledge!
Fabulous as always 👍
Gavin is the best and another fun video!
Happy New Year Gavin!
Star burst filter!!
I remember buying one in 1978……used it on everything…..
birthday candles,
street lights,
glittery dresses etc……loved it to bits……..
When a repeatedly stabbed piece of cardboard becomes a starry night background, you're probably watching Gavin Hoey. Thank you for this!
Gavin, you are a wizzard! 🙌🙌💪💪
Incredible idea!!!
Great walkthrough!
This is bangin!
Brilliant idea 👏👏
Really clever and creative idea. Great video.
Great photo session as always hope to see many more
Nice inexpensive tip. Thanks for posting 👍
Super session and images. Loved the restrained use of Starburst filter and also the introduction of Light Strainer Mark III. Well done ! Happy New Year to Everyone !!!
Thanks Alan. It would have been very easy to over do the starburst effect, so I appreciate that comment greatly 👍
Another awesome video! Always look forward to Thursdays
Thanks Brett. Next Thursday is LIVE!
czcams.com/users/liveF8ORQPmxWXo?si=IN7r-40K4kDprDhu
Really enjoyed this one Gavin, thanks for sharing :-)
This is just too cool.
Loved this! You give me the inspiration to keep trying new, fun lighting techniques with my clients! Happy new year to you all!
If you have a go then I'm genuinely thrilled. That's why we do this!
thank u so much, this is so helpful, regards from colombia
So good!
Another enjoyable video Gavin, with beautiful images as always 👍🙂
Thanks Paul 👍
Great video as always Mr Gavin , greetings from the colonies (new England)
Awesome video, as always, Gavin. The cardboard stabbing bits of the video were hilarious
I found the cardboard stabbing very therapeutic 😂
Great video very creative I did something similar myself but I use little LED lights in the background!
I was tinkering with this idea for a while now, but for a themed shoot.
Still marvelous work Gavin Hoey.
Sounds like a great idea Marcus, there's lots of ways to take these simple ideas and expand them into a theme 👍
And a happy new year
Well done!
Great video!
Thank you for a great idea video
Excellent video. 🙂
Interesting. I will try this. Putting colored gels on the light would be fun, especially having the model's clothing color coordinate with the gels.
Fun and easy.
It’s ALWAYS the amazing Chloe. 😆
Awesome
Nice idea! Everyone has packaging materials at the moment 🙂
Great ideas
Brilliant - I was just looking for fun ideas! Beautiful photos ❤️ if possible pls ask Chloe where to buy something similar to her outfit/cape, I love it 🙂
This a very good idea for different looks on portraits... maybe black foamboard would do the job and avoid that amount of reflected light. Thanks for your great videos!
thanks!
The last set up as a background with smoke would look cool. Would probably make little shafts of light. I have a peg board in my studio ive been thinking of trying that with for very symmetrical points of light.
Vous êtes un génie !
Hallo Gavin, super nice background😊
Another awesome video. I will probably take more thought about cardboard boxes before I throw them out 🙂
Here's a fun fact Patty... I kept had that cardboard hidden away for over three months, just so I could use it for this video!
An interesting idea Gavin. I have cardboard, lights and a camera, now I just need a Chloe! BTW, did Santa bring that new flash meter?
Happy New Year to you and Sam.
I don't think I've used a starburst filter since the early 80's! The Cokin ones. Threw them all away about 10 years ago. Started to but some by mistake (an eBay bid that I won but didn't really want, just trying to up the price) earlier this year. Damn you, Hoey. You've started me off again...
That all sounds VERY familiar... apart from the ebay bit 😉
That's like the box my collapsible background came in, who knew that the box would be a more versatile background and gobo that the expensive thing inside. Annoyed I recycled it now. Gavin thank you for all the great content this year, looking forward to all your great ideas in 2024.
Blimey... I think it actually WAS the box a collapsible background came in!!!!
I've been playing with my star filter to shoot Christmas lights this year - perhaps you could do a portrait shoot demo like that in future. I certainly had fun with it this year! And now I'm going to find a big piece of cardboard to play with!
Great use of Xmas boxes
Hopefully you have plenty of those to choose from 😉
Old trick I learned in the 70s A piece of window screen will work as a star burst filter
Great video, thanks a lot Gavin 🙏. So this is the studio version of the light strainer, the first one is the mobile version 😉😂
More Light Strainer meets Brooklyn Reflector 🤣
Gavin for the last technique, you would probably get more directional light without cranking the ISO by replacing the snoot with a fresnel head, which converts a larger cone of light to parallel rays rather than throwing away the angled light the way a snoot does. Happy New Year!
That sounds plausible but I don't own a fresnal head to test the theory. .
nice video
Great video Gavin
Thanks Kirsty 😊
@GavinHoey your very welcome and a happy New year to you too
Since you asked for comments: I wonder if a little smoke in the last setup would give beams of light behind Chloe. ...or maybe a constant light in the earlier setup with shutter drag while zooming would look radiant. I think I can afford to try this one myself. Thanks!
Adding colour gel on the background flash “behind the cardboard” makes some interesting results I guess.
BRB on my way to take my own new headshots like this!
You are by far my most popular CZcamsr. It so happened to be that I got myself a starlight filter myself a few weeks ago. Perhaps you could demonstrate the effect of black mist filters with various strength in a future video.
Adding it to my "to do" list now :)
Can "creativity" be learned? When I watch videos like this one, I am always amazed at the (supposedly simple) things that achieve such great results. And then I realize: damn, I'd like to be that creative too - but I'm not.
You have the best tutorials Gavin❤ They are so fun to try in studio. I might have missed the answer to this but how were you shooting 1/4000th of a second? Did you have a filter on your lens or were the lights on continuous light? Thanks for your creativity!
Hi Susie. The only filter I had on was the starburst effect filter for the 2nd look. To work at 1/4000th sec I press the HSS button on my transmitter. If you have spare 10 minutes this video will explain why and how HSS flash works czcams.com/video/mRF7ocz8K5E/video.htmlsi=tKLHAZcZGFZDfPkC