Do it yourself: The $20 lighting kit

This image was taken using two clamp lights like the ones
mentioned below. 

So you want be a Photographer, but your budget is tight? You
got to hit us up. We’ll show you
how to make the most out of $20 lights. 

One of the biggest challenges both aspiring professional
photographers and amateurs alike face is the steep price of photo gear. Once you have invested money in a
camera body, a lens or two, a tripod, and those must-have accessories, you will
likely be reluctant to spend another few thousand dollars on a studio lighting
kit. 

So how does one get professional-grade lighting on a tight
budget? Thankfully there is an answer. For the price of a cheap
haircut, you too can get good looking lighting and it’s much easier than you may think! All you need is a few supplies from
your local hardware store and some stuff you likely have lying around your
house.

Supplies:

2 clamp lights with aluminum shades…$6.97 each (can be
purchased at your local hardware store)

At least 2 Compact Florescent light bulb…$3.27 each

Several rubber bands…$.25

1 old white T-shirt…free

When looking for light bulbs, remember, the higher the
wattage, the more you will be able to alter and soften your lights. I would even recommend getting a
bunch of bulbs at varying wattages to play around with. Also keep in mind that you want to use
compact florescent bulbs. While they
are pricier than their incandescent counterpart, they produce far less heat and
therefore are not a fire hazard (Incandescent bulbs will definitely create a
fire hazard, do not use them).    

Once you have gathered your supplies, take the old white T-shirt
and cut it into squares that measure about 8 inches by 8 inches. Ten squares should be more than
enough. Now that you have
something to diffuse your lights with, you are ready to set them up and
shoot! 

First, figure out where you want your light sources and
clamp them down. I used a cheap
tripod I had lying around as a stand for one of the lights. Now, use the different wattage bulbs to
increase or decrease the amount of light your units produce.  Additionally, use the rubber bands to
wrap as few or as many pieces of white cloth over the ends of the aluminum light
shades. The more sheets you put
on, the softer the light will be. 
Most importantly have fun and be creative—photography is DIY by nature
so don’t be afraid to adapt or expand on the concept!