I always wanted to have a home photo studio, but I knew these things are expensive and if you are not making pictures for a living or hobby then it is not really required to have it. I was looking for a Youtube video where someone bought an affordable home photo studio and I found one that you could buy at Amazon.com It has more than 1000 reviews and it costs around 50 euros! Too bad they don't ship to the Netherlands or even to Europe. I also checked amazon.uk, same story.(I forgot the name, sorry!)
Later on, I checked amazon.de and I found the OUBO so I decided to go for this one. The only problem was that they don't ship to the Netherlands, so annoying! Luckily my mother in law lives in Germany and was about to visit us here in the Netherlands. I let it ship to her address and now I have it! If you are a professional photographer you probably think this is for amateurs. Well, I agree with you! I am not a professional photographer and this is just for hobby and my hobby is Steemit :-) and this is an investment too. If it wouldn't be for Steemit, I probably wouldn't buy it at all.
I received the package that my mother in law brought with her and was so excited to open it. I was a bit afraid something was broken or not working that I had to return it. I opened it in our bedroom and I think my bedroom is suitable for placing the home studio because we have a large empty wall. It's golden but it's getting boring making pictures with that wall as a background. I don't like to make pictures outside because first of all it's ice cold and second I don't like people staring at me, especially moms and dads of the kids going to the same school as my kids.
The first thing I saw when unpacking the OUBO, was 4 backdrops. 2 white, 1 black and 1 green. I read many bad reviews of the backdrop fabrics that go along with the home studio, doesn't matter what brand. They are full of wrinkles and people are not able to get rid of the wrinkles. The fabric is made from a non woven material and easy to melt when you iron it. A you see on the first picture, the backdrop has many wrinkles. I tried ironing with a damp cloth on top and I tried steaming it. Both methods didn't work. :-( I read on the internet that backdrop paper works the best. So maybe I should buy backdrop paper. Here in Holland it's super duper expensive. Everything that has to do with creativity is expensive in Holland.
This is a reflector and on the piece of paper it says I receive 5 reflectors in gold, white, black silver and transparent. Well, I only received 1, that's what I thought. Apparently the black you see on the other side and the gold and white at the inside and a separate transparent one. So it was reversible.
The next thing I took out of the box was a bag to put all the equipment inside. Very handy if you want to travel.
Later on I took out two softboxes where you have to place the lights.
Two lamps of each 135 watt.
Three backdrop clamps.
Two lighting stands.
This is the background system where you hang the backdrop. It can go till 2m high.
I placed the lamps inside the softboxes and covered it. Little did I know where and how to place the softboxes.
I followed the instructions and ironed it low heat using a damp pressing cloth between iron and fabric. It didn't work. So I tried to steam it but it also didn't work. So stupid material!
In general I am happy because it is my first home studio. The lighting is not that strong I think but it is OK. I am mainly unhappy about the backdrops full of wrinkles. Now I have to sort of photoshop the wrinkles. I have a free app on my phone where I can do that.
On the left you see the picture with wrinkled backdrop and the right side I removed the wrinkles by using a mobile photoshop app.
I made a picture of my husband and sons.
Another picture of my mother in law. I used a silver reflector on the left side. You see the difference in her glasses. She doesn't know I put her picture on Steemit. :-D
The wrinkles are unfortunately very visible. I am happy the lights and the background system are at least in good condition because I can find other alternatives for the backdrops. I paid for this OUBO home studio 84 euros. Not expensive at all I think. For the pictures I used my Samsung galaxy s7 phone.
Do you also have a home photo studio and do you have tips how to get rid of the wrinkles?
