ivyinvestor wrote:
This thread has been such an inspiration to me.
My wife and I are narrowing our choices for a home purchase in the DC area. On our list, we've two townhouses and a detached house. All three would allow a studio to be built, although the townhouses' options would be somewhat restricted: one features 8ft basement ceilings, while other offers just another 0.5ft (width and length sufficient).
The house features a three car garage, the far stall of which I'd conscript for studio work. The high ceiling (vaulted) seems like a bonus. Then I realized that, unlike in home theater, where standing waves are mitigated by reducing the number of 90-degree wall/ceiling junctions, I'd never heard that a studio would benefit by including vaulted space. Would installing a ceiling be advisable? If so, then the space would really be the same as that of the townhouses. However, if you think the vaulted nature would better accommodate larger softboxes, mounted light arrays and reflectors, and otherwise not "pollute" the light, please let me know...
This is a good question. I am getting ready to paint my new studio that I just biult. I am trying to decide on a color that looks clean and professional as my customer meeting area is on the other end of the same biulding. it is a 30x40x10 building.
BFahey wrote:
This is a good question. I am getting ready to paint my new studio that I just biult. I am trying to decide on a color that looks clean and professional as my customer meeting area is on the other end of the same biulding. it is a 30x40x10 building.
I was really asking about the narrow home studios. In a larger space I would choose offwhite walls and add modifiers as needed. I'm just wondering what they are planning in the small spaces.
Personally, I'd chose flat black walls (in the shooting area) to help reduce any bounce. It might be a little overkill, but would allow you to shoot closer to the walls (multiple sets) and keep the integrity of the shadows. But that's just me, I'm weird.
In the entrance area, I'd pick a color that suited the decor.
I'm sure everyone has seen all the studios they want to see by now but figured I'd throw mine up anyway. The studio is in the lower floor of our house. It is roughly 9.5 feet wide, 16ft deep with 7 foot ceiling. I used to have a different system in place for lights made out of PVC pipe. My main is always on a lightstand. Now I have my other 2 attached to Bogen Autopoles. This allows much more freedom of movement and placement of lights. Also, with a narrow studio I don't have to worry about legs from lighstands being in the bottom of the image. This has been a huge improvement for me and one that didn't break the bank! It was a spur of the moment to take these images so please don't critique the "snapshots". Visit my website if you want to see what I create in here. Enjoy and thanks for looking,
I have another closet that holds extra lights, muslins, chairs and misc equipment. The upstairs main floor of the house is an open beam, 25ft ceiling layed out and presented as a gallery with prints and seating area. I look forward to any comments!
About a week ago I thought of mounting lights on the autopoles. It seemed so simple and I couldn't believe it took so long to think of. Anyway, hopefully it helps someone else!
-Chris
rcooper wrote:
Chris that's a great setup. How hard is it to move the autopoles around?
It literally takes seconds. One lever moves to compress the pole, move it to where you want it, move lever again to extend pole and you're done.
-Chris
Lou, is that foldup background all one piece? It looks like the cloth comes straight off of the loop backdrop. Who's make is it , if you don't mind. I like the size, most units that I have seen are considerably smaller.
Botero is the brand. I picked it up at B&H. This particular one was grey toned. Dimensions are 8 x 16 model 005 for the color.
It's handy in that you can carry it on the subway. When you set it up, there is little chance of hurting someone if it falls like those with stands. Requirement is 8 foot in height and a wall to lean it on. You could use stands with large clips if you had to. Slippery floors may be a problem, especially if height is marginal. You may have to tape or put a weight on the bottom to keep it from slipping forward. Other than that, it seems to do the trick. I have yet to put gels and vary the tone, but I am sure it could take it nicely.
Killer looking studio Chris. Must be nice to have all that room. Studio down stairs, gallery upstairs, and you must live on the third floor. I'm jelous. Thinking of converting the garage to a studio or taking over the front room. ( ). My kids live in Fairbanks. Nice country, Alaska. You have a nice looking website also. Thanks for sharing.
). My kids live in Fairbanks. Nice country, Alaska. You have a nice looking website also. Thanks for sharing.