Toy Photography: Range Murata PSE Collection CDB Chair

[cmontoya]

Taken with a Helios-44M, my official toy lens until the Helios-44M 7 arrives.

I have not learned how to soften direct sunlight yet

Click to photo to see large version

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[Mal1905]

Whatever you do, don't lose touch with the Helios-44M when #7 arrives - it's been a great lens for you

With regard to softening light - there are many common household items that are perfectly acceptable substitutes for expensive diffusers and reflectors.

I attended a seminar some years ago, given by a Canadian guy called Dave Montizambert, and on day one he went through the tips and tricks for one-light portraits, using everyday items to compensate for only having one light source. He used a white bedsheet as a diffuser (hang one over the source of the daylight - a window?) and the light immediately becomes softer. A translucent shower curtain also does the same job if one is to hand. Aluminium foil stretched over trays, plates, mirrors (less harsh as a reflector than the mirror itself), picture frames, etc makes for cheap reflectors. There was a PDF on his website but it's since been removed and I can't find it on my computer anymore...

There is a guide to table-top photography which you can find here - it might just work for your style of photography! Back in the day, one of my Hasselblad clients used a larger version of this setup for food photography.

Hope this is of some help to you Carlo

[cmontoya]

@Mal: My wife would probably have a fit if I use the white bed sheets but I might get my own translucent white shower curtain. This is a great idea. Thank you very much.