New DIY project

Since I don't actually make any (or very much) money right now, I have to be creative in my equipment. I already made (Do It Yourself) a background support system out of PVC pipe. But it's really too cumbersome to use and very heavy to carry, it sits in the bag right now. Plus, the last few times I have taken it with me, I keep forgetting the three cross pieces at home so it's useless..... Once I get a permanent studio I can set it up and leave it up. That will be nice. I also made a diffusion panel. Again, out of PVC. It cost about 35-40 dollars. To buy one, they are nearly $300. Granted, my version is only white and the others come with black and silver panels....but hey, for the cost I can build more.

My latest DIY project was a ring light. A ring light is a flash that goes around your camera lens, instead of a flash on top of your camera. It looks like a donut around the end of your camera lens. The result is a picture with very little shadow, or a shadow around your subject that looks like a dark or gray halo. The picture below is taken with a flash. But notice there isn't a shadow behind her. (FYI, the "wall" is a current home repair project too. We are painting the stairway, but the wall had to be repaired so I am taking down the old plaster and putting up drywall.)

Here is one picture with the new ring light. She wasn't exactly a willing subject. I'll get a picture of the ring light later.