PVC Pipe Craft Projects: $20 Photography Studio Setup

PVC Pipe Craft Projects

$20 Photography Studio Setup

Photo-Setup

 

Have you ever wondered how bloggers take such great photos of our recipes? Or how we can bring out the best features in the products we review? It’s simple! We have PVC Pipe Craft Projects photography studio setup! Now, some people spend lots of money buying premade  Photography studio setup which work great, but you can get the same great set up for a fraction of the cost by making it yourself! The photography set I made cost $20, and took me (and my awesome husband who helped) about 1/2 an hour.  You don’t need any special tools or equipment to make this $20 Photography Studio Setup other than a hacksaw! Are you ready to learn how to make one? Here we go! 

Here is what you will need to make this PVC Pipe Craft Projects: $20 Photography Studio Setup :

photo-setup-1

 

  • A 500 Watt Work Lamp. (I got mine for $8 at Lowes)
  • 8 PVC pipes (I got mine at lowes for $1.50 each)
  • 6 elbow joints (I got mine at lowes for 20 cents each) 2 T joints (also from Lowes)
  • A white sheet or parchment paper. (We already had this, but if you don’t you can grab a cheap sheet from goodwill for like $1)
  • Optional- glue to secure your pipes together.

Here is how you make this PVC Pipe Craft Projects: $20 Photography Studio Setup :

photo-setup-2

 

First, you will want to cut your pipes. I went with a 2 foot x 2 foot set up, because that is the size of my photo back drops. You can adjust the size to your needs. After you cut and sand them you will use your elbow joints to put them together. This will make the square that will be used as your light diffuser. I used Amee’s (AKA Ms. Madame Deals) PVC Pipe photography back drop set up (clink link to check out the tutorial) for the other part of my set up.

photo-setup-3Step 2: After you have put together the base (and glued it if you want the extra support) you will want to adhere your sheet to your base. There are a couple of ways you can do this. First, cut your sheet to size, then you can do as I did and sew it, you could also glue it with fabric glue. Neither would take very long to do.

photo-setup-4Step 3: After you are set up it’s time to get to work! You will be placing your light diffusing panel next to your  photography set up and then place your work lamp on the outside. (Warning: these work lamps get really hot. Seriously guys, don’t burn yourself. Don’t touch it while it’s on, and let it completely cool before moving it after you have turned it off)  As you can see from the photo above, You don’t have to have a photo room, or anything special other than some great photo backdrop (Etsy!) some PVC pipes, and a light! I photograph everything in my kitchen!

That’s it! 3 simple steps, 1/2 an hour, and $20 and you can start photographing like a pro with this PVC Pipe Craft Projects: $20 Photography Studio SetupHere is the different a good light set up can make:

Photo-setup-reesults

 

Details pop, colors are brighter, and the overall look is better! What are some of your tips and tricks for great photography? Leave them in the comments below!

food photography

Don’t forget to check out my Food Photography List