I have wanted a pair of Lowell Ego lights for tabletop photography since I first saw them. Frankly the price and the reviews scared me off. People described the assembly of the lights to be quite an ordeal, requiring the assistance of a second person. Those are fighting words around here. I was also worried about the comments stating that the quality of the lights was inferior. Over the last year I have purchased other lights for my food photography but still my mind kept going back to the Lowell Ego lights. The horrendous yellow color cast of my fluorescent kitchen lights sent me scrambling to the studio in my basement. But sometimes I want to take pictures in my kitchen, while I’m cooking. I never want to outdo the blogger with 43 pictures in a post about chocolate chip cookies, but I would like to shoot a decent photo in my kitchen. I thought that the Ego lights would fit perfectly on my kitchen island. This is from the Lowell website.
I have been watching Craigslist for photography lighting and suddenly, there it was, a listing for a pair of Lowell Ego lights. The price was right and they were already assembled. I had to have them. I talked the seller into letting me pay via PayPal and pick them up later when all the hoopla around my house settled down a bit. Today was the day to pick them up.
I arranged to meet the sellers, Jim and Patty at a local Starbucks coffee shop. I am probably on many Starbucks surveillance videos doing deals in the parking lot. I even pick up and drop off live chickens in the Starbucks parking lot. It’s a lot safer than inviting weirdos into your home. Jim and Patty were far from being weirdos. They were a very nice couple with a Prius loaded with a Lowell Ego light kit! We talked for a bit, then I was on my way home in the sweltering heat. I put the lights on my kitchen island, waiting patiently for dusk so I could try them out. Michael punked me by turning on the lights and setting up a “still life” he wanted me to photograph. It consisted of plastic grocery bags and ears of corn. I declined the request.
At six o’clock I put burgers on the indoor grill and got ready to try out my new lights. I made a rookie mistake the first time and left my kitchen lights on! Once I realized my mistake and turned off the overhead lights I was in business. I think this is pretty good looking cheeseburger photo taken in my kitchen with my Sony Cybershot! I can hear my food photography instructor Ron’s voice in my ear. “It would have been better shot vertically.” ” The highlights on the cheese are blown out.” “The pickle is too big and shouldn’t be in front of the burger.” I know I need practice but so far, I am thrilled with the lights. Chocolate chip cookie tutorial, here I come!
Thanks Jim and Patty!
The lights can be purchased on Amazon, BH photo, and other online stores. Just Google it!