When I first started digital photography I spent quite a lot of time playing around with torchlight and reflections in my kitchen worktop. It was a great way to learn about my camera.
Making do with props from around the home was fun. My son’s school lever arch files made handy backdrops. In the next shot, I suspended the leaves from the extractor hood using blu-tack and cotton thread.
I find that using a handheld torch stimulates creativity. In the final shot, the subject is a shell, its ridges illuminated by a torch. I like the way the eye is fooled into not being sure whether the spiral moves away from or towards it.
Do you have any favourite home studio techniques?
Focused Moments 
I like this work Rachael but I’m definitely not giving my secrets away 😉
Tease 😉
For handheld macro, I have a really powerful LED torch that I use to shine on the subject. It’s not ideal because sometimes its too bright and will damage your eyes if you are crazy like me. It also has a very cold light, but that is compensated for most of the time.
These photos are amazing! Good work!
Kevin Chen
Hi Kevin. Have you tried using your torch to create any of those cool (in my opinion) shots of spinning light arcs that seem to be in vogue at the moment? Here’s a link to some I found on Flickr recently: http://www.flickr.com/photos/35083317@N05/5635907619/in/faves-studyjunkie/
Well I am not reall fond of putting myself in a photo, but I love the idea of the sparkling piece of steel wool. I first read that in a photography magazine, but I have never brought myself to try it. Besides, I can’t even find steel wool here in Australia.
How beautiful! Great creativity!
Thank you, Silvia. 🙂
You have so much talent, Rachael! I’m anxious to get some new accessories for my ‘new’ (purchased last autumn) camera, but I think I should probably learn all its features first. 🙂
It can be a lot of fun to see what you can do using just ordinary things you have already. I often use desk lamps as well as torches to light still life shots. All you need to remember is to adjust the white balance, either in camera or in raw conversion software.
Great pointers! The weather is chilly & grey here this Sunday – perhaps I should illuminate the kitchen and give some of these accessories a whirl.
Lovely photos Rachael, I especially like the shell one.
Thanks, Karen. That has been one of my best-selling images, ever 🙂
This is really interesting! I remember playing around with torchlight once before, but the torch just wasn’t bright enough. This has definitely given me some ideas to give it another whirl!
That is super news. Just the best sort of result for my humble blog 🙂