Making A Photo Studio
Dec 22, 2012 08:17:17 #
philb
Loc: Benton, KY
After the New Year comes and goes I will be cleaning out a Metal building that was a wood shop for many years. I will be installing new interior walls, insulate and either use some kind of paneling or drywall. Not sure what to do with the ceiling? The floor maybe carpeting or a time. I want to make it like a sitting room and a photo Studio. Using some small furniture as props??
My finished size will be 16' x 25'
I do have a backdrop and support, 2 lights with soft boxes (Cheap) 2 umbrellas with Nikon flash units (SB900) and other assorted goodies.
Looking for ideas and advice on doing this correct the first time.
1. Is this a big enough space
2. What is very important to have
anything else you may think of
Thank You in advance,
Phil b
My finished size will be 16' x 25'
I do have a backdrop and support, 2 lights with soft boxes (Cheap) 2 umbrellas with Nikon flash units (SB900) and other assorted goodies.
Looking for ideas and advice on doing this correct the first time.
1. Is this a big enough space
2. What is very important to have
anything else you may think of
Thank You in advance,
Phil b
Dec 22, 2012 08:26:56 #
Dec 22, 2012 09:24:01 #
philb
Loc: Benton, KY
It has about a 9'6" ceiling Someone said I could just use fabric for the ceiling, I have a hard time seeing that in my mind.
It was originally a wood shop outlets are everywhere.
Thanks for your reply.
Phil
It was originally a wood shop outlets are everywhere.
Thanks for your reply.
Phil
Dec 22, 2012 09:45:26 #
Paint the existing ceiling and everything up there matt black. Don't install a false ceiling below it. You will be thankfull for all the height you can get....
The floor should be hard, like vinyl or wood. Not carpet. This will allow you to use a camera dolly under your tripod, and when not using a dolly, will give your tripod a solid base. Carpet will allow movement.
The floor should be hard, like vinyl or wood. Not carpet. This will allow you to use a camera dolly under your tripod, and when not using a dolly, will give your tripod a solid base. Carpet will allow movement.
Dec 22, 2012 10:52:36 #
GrahamS wrote:
Both of these good suggestions will also help keep down dust and help make keeping the area clean easier.Paint the existing ceiling and everything up there matt black. Don't install a false ceiling below it. You will be thankfull for all the height you can get....
The floor should be hard, like vinyl or wood. Not carpet. This will allow you to use a camera dolly under your tripod, and when not using a dolly, will give your tripod a solid base. Carpet will allow movement.
The floor should be hard, like vinyl or wood. Not carpet. This will allow you to use a camera dolly under your tripod, and when not using a dolly, will give your tripod a solid base. Carpet will allow movement.
Avoid carpeting if at all possible. But if you must, use 24x24" commercial carpet squares (just set in place. easy to install and remove, and will still allow wheeled dollies to roll easily.)
Dec 22, 2012 12:04:49 #
Hi Philb,
A few thoughts on your new studio.
Ask your self what you want to do with this room - it cannot be a sitting room and a studio. Putting a carpet in is not a good idea, stilettos [if you are that lucky] will did in and if you use paper role it will be ruined in days. Go for hard floor like wooden flooring tiles.
You may have problems with your lights as they may be too powerful for a small room, this is particularly the case with lighting sibjects from the side, [loop closed loop Rembrandt] If you have these problems get some ND filter sheets to reduce the light.
There is much more but go for ot
A few thoughts on your new studio.
Ask your self what you want to do with this room - it cannot be a sitting room and a studio. Putting a carpet in is not a good idea, stilettos [if you are that lucky] will did in and if you use paper role it will be ruined in days. Go for hard floor like wooden flooring tiles.
You may have problems with your lights as they may be too powerful for a small room, this is particularly the case with lighting sibjects from the side, [loop closed loop Rembrandt] If you have these problems get some ND filter sheets to reduce the light.
There is much more but go for ot
Dec 22, 2012 12:09:00 #
I wanted to ensure the color balance is correct so painted the walls and ceiling white. However, this has given me some head aches when using a white BG - the spill goes everywhere. I have to really know my stuff when calculating lighting values.
Q: If you where painting your studio what color would you paint if from a purely technical view point?
Q: If you where painting your studio what color would you paint if from a purely technical view point?
Dec 22, 2012 13:05:04 #
Dec 22, 2012 14:08:26 #
Flat black walls. Grey can also work (more backdrops needed) and may make the room appear larger.
Your ceiling may be too low for white in my opinion... but ? It very much depends on your diffusers, boxes and strobes.
I'd try a white flat primer for the ceiling and see.
Your ceiling may be too low for white in my opinion... but ? It very much depends on your diffusers, boxes and strobes.
I'd try a white flat primer for the ceiling and see.
Dec 22, 2012 15:51:37 #
A fridge for plenty beer,a small lead panel area to wander into when the Mrs. phones (to create a poor signal)a noticeboard for important numbers (pizza delivery,fried chicken,beer delivery,taxi when you've finished them) and a mixture of the above.
Dec 23, 2012 05:36:11 #
like everyone has stated paint flat black, buy using gels over you lights you can change the background color to any color except white, and you don't have light bouncing all over the place.
Dec 23, 2012 06:30:08 #
Agree with no false ceiling. Remove the ceiling and hire " Foam" sprayed onto underside of roof with your choice of color. This is one hot setup with fantastic insulation values. Foam can also be sprayed into walls further reducing associated dust from other insulation products. Get your heat and air system working as a positive displacement system to help prevent outside air from entering similar to a hospital environment. Course all this is pricey, but it would be a Cadillac environment. Concrete floors can be stained or painted to just about any color of choice allowing use of dust mops for cleaning. Don't forget skylights or windows with good shades in strategic positions if you desire Ambient light. Oh, don't forget good electrical outlet quantity and placement. Keep us posted, it sounds like you have a wonderful opportunity.
Dec 23, 2012 06:31:12 #
you may want to do something besides carpet, to much static and equipment can make a bad combo.
Dec 23, 2012 07:30:35 #
Go to Amazon/books. Look up and order the Time Life book "The Studio" Great book on how to do a Studio and I saw they have them for 85 cents up + Postage. It is for film of course but most info will be good for Dgitel too. - Dave
Dec 23, 2012 07:33:07 #
If youj are going to use any models (family, friend, hired, etc) this might be of interest:
Took a Glamour and Nude classes given by Joe Edelman. He used cloth reflectors mounted in square frames about 18" wide by 48" in height dropped from track light sliders mounted overhead. They could be moved anywhere the tracks were laid and by using a single mount he could rotate them as he wanted. He stated this was what he used in his studio (the class was not in his strudio but at Horizon Photography's facilities, and the set up was tempiorary for his class). As I recall, he also had light mounted in the tracks
Took a Glamour and Nude classes given by Joe Edelman. He used cloth reflectors mounted in square frames about 18" wide by 48" in height dropped from track light sliders mounted overhead. They could be moved anywhere the tracks were laid and by using a single mount he could rotate them as he wanted. He stated this was what he used in his studio (the class was not in his strudio but at Horizon Photography's facilities, and the set up was tempiorary for his class). As I recall, he also had light mounted in the tracks
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