That is a great first photo shoot. You should show some photos of your setup. There are a ton of instructions on the forum already here too. We made a whole thread out of it. There’s a youtube video linked about how to make a homemade light box:
In the first few sample photos, you have all yellow highlights and a yellow cast to the photos. Probably using tungsten lights. Even if your light is actually yellow, you probably want “better than reality” rather than reality, and to have your colours adjusted so that they are relative to the light being more “white”.
Most cameras allow you to set your “scene”. The Scene settings are primarily about white balance. Each camera uses different names, but there should be options like “indoors, outdoors, tungsten, fluorescent, nighttime” or whatever. Sometimes they are a LIE! I’ve used the tungsten setting for a fluorescent scenario for example.
With a DSLR shooting in RAW mode you have even more flexibility assuming you can process RAW photos in an image editor that can read them. The colour balance can be adjusted in terms of units of measurement (Kelvin?) rather than pre-set “scenes”.
In any event, find out which “scene” makes your light seem white rather than yellow, and you’ll be set.
I just realized something also. I use a program called flux that dims your screen as night comes on and makes white turn less “white” to make it easier on your eyes. I am going to take all your awesome advice and remember to turn flux off next time.
Seriously thank you, I really appreciate it!
The top and sides are covered with a light fabric.
Now I want to explore options for other lighting sources
and get an actual camera other than my ancient clunker.
My mom is really into cooking, and she wants to use my setup to try taking some food pictures.
Should be fun.
