I made this for small stuff. Lamps from Goodwill, $4.99 for the two with arms, $2.99 for the top one. Bulbs were a little more, I decided on daylight balanced fluorescent. Folding clothes hamper, under $5, is the frame, with cut up white sheets (free from a hotel, as stained discards), pinned to the sides. White paper inside is an old calendar... free.

Camera and tripod.



I'm thinking that hoods for the lights might be better with a lighted base, to wash out any background. Something along the lines of a translucent, flexible cutting board. Then I won't need the light tent.

Target is portable, so I can shoot food, on location.

THEN: I use Elements 5 because I'm still trying to be frugal. (aka cheap!) :-D

Still working on color balance, this one was taken with the tent and no white balance settings done in advance.

I'm looking for some flash tubes like this (don't need the base, it's a standard tube socket) so I can use a brighter stobe unit that I have. But it needs new bulbs.

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