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Homemade Umbrella Lights

Umbrella lights are used by photographers to light everything from large groups to the smallest item. While professional studio lights, umbrella's and stands can be very costly to buy, using some PVC piping and traditional umbrella's you can easily make them at home. When using this type of lighting it is always best to set your camera's white balance to the custom setting. Then using a white card, take a picture of it with the studio lights on and set your camera based on the photo.

Things You'll Need

2 - 6' lengths of 1/2" PVC piping
12 - 6" lengths of 1/2" PVC piping
10 - 1/2" PVC pipe caps
6 - 1/2" PVC "T" connectors
2 - clamp style light fixtures
2 - Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs
Drill
3/8" Drill Bit
Hack Saw
Two cans of silver spray paint suitable to be used on fabric.
2 collapsible

Instructions

Homemade Umbrella Lights
- 1
  Cut the handle off of two collapsible umbrella's with a hack saw, leaving as much of the center rod as possible. Do this for both umbrellas.
- 2
  Paint the inside of the umbrella using the spray paint. This is best done outside or in a well ventilated area. Allow the umbrellas to dry thoroughly before using. Do not collapse the umbrella as you risk cracking the paint.
- 3
  Measure down 2" inches from the top of each of the 6' length of PVC piping and drill a hole using a 3/8" bit. This hole is where you will insert the umbrella. You will want the umbrella to be angled towards the ceiling when it is installed so drill the hole at a 45 degree angle, from the top towards the bottom of pipe.
- 4
  Build one stand by taking one of the 6' lengths of PVC piping and attaching one T connector at one end. Insert one 6" length of PVC piping into the bottom openings of the "T" connector. Attach a T connector to each of the 6" lengths, you just installed, so that the T connectors lay flat on the floor. Insert one 6" length of PVC piping into those "T" connectors. Place end caps on open ends of the pipe. The stand should now be able to stand on its own. Repeat this for the second stand. When it is finished, the bottom of the stand should look like two "T"'s connected at their bottom, so the top of the "T" are at the end of the base for support.
- 5
  Insert the umbrella through the opening, attach the clamp light on the umbrella rod, aiming it into the umbrella's silver paint. Plug it in and aim in the desired direction. You ready to start shooting.

Photography