This is an excellent thread, fantastic read all 'round. One day I will buy some strobes and get in to studio stuff, when I have the space (when I move out?). However, this thread has inspired me in the mean time to get a ghetto setup going and start playing with light!
Dely wrote:
Thanks all for the knowledge in this thread. I was able to utilize the information and turned my entire downstairs (apartment) into a studio. I have been working on the set up for close to a month now. I got the idea from you guys. I guess I should also thank you all for being broke.
I have two areas set up for shooting and pretty much keep the paper mounted at all times. What can I say I am single.
I change out the background color depending on the theme or mood I am trying to create in the shoot.
Special Thanks to you John E. I was so impress with your work that I boguht a lot of the stuff you listed down to the plexiglass. However, I have been pacing myself to learn the dynamics of each light by using mostly one or two light shoots. The shots I posted was only with a hairlight and a reflector (barn door and 20 degree grid attached).
This is a photo of the studio, Also I have posted a couple of photos taken last weekend (my first studio shoot. I also posted these in the People forum.
Studio... ...Show more →
Thanks for the compliments Dely. What a great studio setup... multiple shooting areas (wow!) and look at the ceiling height... to die for. You should not only be able to do great stuff with it but also have fun doing it! Thanks for sharing...
all these photos of studios is making me very envious. I am in the process of looking for a live/work sapce here in my town. I want to find a space that has a great space that I can live out of and a seperate space where I can have a studio as well. I have a few people looking for such a space but I'm having a hard time finding something that is going to work for me.
I recently had a photographer email me photos of a space he has in a building he owns that he is wanting to lease. it's 4000sq ft. and is exactly what I have been dreaming about although I probably wouldn't need that much space but man.... would it be nice. This space is amazing, but unfortunately there is no way I can afford it right now. So once again I have to keep searching but I thought I'd share what this space looks like to show you my dream for my studio.
jthrasher wrote:
all these photos of studios is making me very envious. I am in the process of looking for a live/work sapce here in my town. I want to find a space that has a great space that I can live out of and a seperate space where I can have a studio as well. I have a few people looking for such a space but I'm having a hard time finding something that is going to work for me.
I recently had a photographer email me photos of a space he has in a building he owns that he is wanting to lease. it's 4000sq ft. and is exactly what I have been dreaming about although I probably wouldn't need that much space but man.... would it be nice. This space is amazing, but unfortunately there is no way I can afford it right now. So once again I have to keep searching but I thought I'd share what this space looks like to show you my dream for my studio.
I am trying hard to fight it. You don't even want to know how much money I have already spent. Waaaay to much, but it was worth every penny. I wouldn't change a thing.
I guess if I had to change anything it be to avoid this thread in the first place . Once you have read it there is no turning back.
jthrasher wrote:
all these photos of studios is making me very envious.
My whole house, minus the roof and attic, would fit in that one room. More space is the dream of most that have contributed to this thread. I have a room I've been planning on enlarging for some time, but now that this thread has emerged, I've taken some measurements of how big the room will be, and am disappointed. It will be too small. Only way I'll be able to get full body shots is to open the door to the laundry room, and shoot from in there.
How many backdrop light should I use. It seems like it varies from everyone. I have 2 cheap 150W flash with medium softbox and one 40W flash. I also have couple of 250W continuous light with softbox as well. I can't afford AB's yet. I will post up some shot of my set up when I have a shoot. I usually set up in my dinning room or living room.
Also, is there a better way to put the paper back drop up. It's hard by myself trying to put that up.
Any suggestions on how I should situate the lights for best result will be appreciated.
visionworksmn wrote:
How many backdrop light should I use. It seems like it varies from everyone. I have 2 cheap 150W flash with medium softbox and one 40W flash. I also have couple of 250W continuous light with softbox as well. I can't afford AB's yet. I will post up some shot of my set up when I have a shoot. I usually set up in my dinning room or living room.
Also, is there a better way to put the paper back drop up. It's hard by myself trying to put that up.
Any suggestions on how I should situate the lights for best result will be appreciated. ...Show more →
Good questions.
About the hanging the backdrop. There are many different methods, from dedicated backdrop stands to just screwing two 90 degree angle brackets into the wall near the ceiling and bending the ends up and passing a 10' pipe through the material loop or the seamless paper tube and hanging it on the brackets. Very simple... very cheap.
About the backdrop lights... Unless I'm wanting to create a spot/hot spot behind the model, I use umbrellas on two background lights to spread out the light to evenly cover the background. I place one light one each side of the backdrop and about 4-5 feet in front of it. You'll have to experiment with the lights that you have to see how you can get the best coverage.
visionworksmn wrote:
How many backdrop light should I use. It seems like it varies from everyone. I have 2 cheap 150W flash with medium softbox and one 40W flash. I also have couple of 250W continuous light with softbox as well. I can't afford AB's yet. I will post up some shot of my set up when I have a shoot. I usually set up in my dinning room or living room.
Also, is there a better way to put the paper back drop up. It's hard by myself trying to put that up.
Any suggestions on how I should situate the lights for best result will be appreciated.
Good questions.
About the hanging the backdrop. There are many different methods, from dedicated backdrop stands to just screwing two 90 degree angle brackets into the wall near the ceiling and bending the ends up and passing a 10' pipe through the material loop or the seamless paper tube and hanging it on the brackets. Very simple... very cheap.
About the backdrop lights... Unless I'm wanting to create a spot/hot spot behind the model, I use umbrellas on two background lights to spread out the light to evenly cover the background. I place one light one each side of the backdrop and about 4-5 feet in front of it. You'll have to experiment with the lights that you have to see how you can get the best coverage.
Hope this helps.
Best regards,
John
JohnE,
Thanks always for good advice. I have a backdrop stand and pole but it really is a pain in the a** to put it up. My wife and I are getting ready to move soon and hopefully we'll get a place with finished basement or maybe a garage, knock on wood, then I won't have to set up and tear down every time I have a shoot.
Did you get all your lights at one time or little at a time? The strobes I have works okay but nothing impressive.
Do you use strobe or continious light for hair light?
How much did the plex glass run you?
I have lot of questions. Thanks.
visionworksmn wrote:
JohnE,
Did you get all your lights at one time or little at a time? The strobes I have works okay but nothing impressive.
Do you use strobe or continious light for hair light?
How much did the plex glass run you?
I have lot of questions. Thanks.
As my Britek lights failed/burned out, I replaced them with Alien Bees. I think I staretd with 1-800 and 1-400. Soon after, I began to add the 1600's.
Except for my homemade ring light, I use all strobes.
The 6'x8'x1/4" sheets ran me somewhere's around $220, delivered (its been a while, I'm guessing.)
but I thought I'd share what this space looks like to show you my dream for my studio. 
?
! Hey, I used to have to shoot that way (standing in the laundry room) before we built out the garage into the full studio. 