I finally bit the bullet and biult a studio in my yard. The most econimical way I found was to biuld a poll barn which measures 30x40 with 10 ft ceilings. I installed radient heat in the floor and am having the concrete poured in a few weeks. It will end up costing me about $25K when i am all done but it is worth it as i am losing money with the lack of space. I am actually financing the entrie project from my wedding work.
I am planning on sheet rocking it and installing cnas for lighting but am still working on what design elements I should consider before I go any further. Things like color are critical. i will try to upload images soon.
Bruce, that's what I'd like to do eventually. Build my own building. However, since I'm just getting started in a solo career and don't have room in my yard. to build on, I am having to lease. Oh well, some day. I'm just happy to have found this space. I'll post photos once I get moved in.
I struggled with leasing vs. biulding and finaly looked at the long term costs and i decided to biuld. The one thing having your own studio gives you is room and time to experiment and improve your style. I can't wait until it is finished as i am waiting for the weather to break.
I am not sure what the lease rates are in your area but for me to lease that much space my ROI was pretty short by biulding.
For those just starting out do like I did. I created a budget in which i included a payment into an interest bearing fund and over a three year period saved enoungh to do it.
Lease rates can reasonable, but you have to get just the right deal in the right space. I've been looking for quite a while and went thru the debate "do I rent someplace cheap until I build a client base, or do I pay more and get a better location (that brings more business)". I finally decided that a better location will increase top of mind awareness and therefore bring more business.
If I had the land, I would love to build my own studio, but land costs can be pretty salty for a good location.
Ok here it is, very simple and in tight quarters. I made the 2 backdrops myself and the support system with PVC pipe. I just bought a book on lighting today, I have much to learn, but here is what it looks like now and some sample photos of my favorite model...my son
This is a very low budget setup just to see if I like studio photography. Here's the price breakdown:
$119 - Canon Speedlite 420EX
$80 - 3 Homemade Backdrops and PVC Support System
$94 - Umbrella/Stand/Bracket
$35 - Wein Digital Peanut
$80 - Sunpak 383 Super
$9 - Vivitar 285HV
Free - Bookends (Printpress Friends)
$417 for a home studio and portable lighting. I have the 420EX mounted on the 20D's hotshoe. Somtimes I bounce it off the ceiling and sometimes I use my modified Omnibounce on it and use it as a catch light. It triggers the Vivitar slaved with the Digital peanut. I had to get that one because of the pre-flash by E-TTL. The Sunpak is synched directly to the camera via PC cord. The 420EX is the weak link in this studio setup but I like it when I need a camera mounted flash. E-TTL makes it so friggin easy. I do think I need a light meter, but I've been using the histogram with a couple test shots to set the cameras manual mode.
From two different computers, only the picture posted by azurephoto appears. None of the others. I cut and pasted the URLs of the other pix into my browser, and all appear to be dead links. What's up
I have to shoot in raw, to get the color temperature right, because of the halogen lights, and I also have to be careful not to burn myself with these halogens, but they are pretty cheap, small and can be arranged in many positions.
William Wilson wrote:
Studio shot from today, actually I transported my strobes to an arena just a bigger area I suppose. Anyway from a session tonight, lovely animal.
After much waiting (shipping time to Canada from Alien Bees is too long!), and much passing the time by reading this thread, the lights, stands, and background all came in and our studio was born.
We're just beginners (owned a SLR since August) but we plan to make this a long term commitment, and so we tried to "invest" in something moderately professional, rather than just Do-It-Yourself-ing it (not to knock that though, because there are amazing desk-lamp studios on here!). And, of course, when one is a student on a budget, that typically means Alien Bees (or in our case, Bee).
So, without further ado, our kitchen studio:
8'9" seamless paper
Background stand from Amvona
1 AB800
1 42" reflector and mounting bracket
Brolly box, and silver/white reversable umbrella
And the desire to experiment!
Picture of the studio:
And the results from our first attempt, so go easy :
And with a bit of play in Adobe Lightroom (coming to love that program): digital gels!
Can't forget to thank all of those who add so much to this thread (and this site in general). Without all your incredible guidance, this would have been no where as easy as it was. A big standing ovation for you all!
donrisi wrote:
What an incredible photo. Absolutely fabulous.
Please, please share your lighitng setup.
Don
Two Bowens Esprits softbox on right, diffused umbrella on left on stands 8ft up set 12feet apart at 45deg in and 30deg down. 1/2 stop between the main and fill. Getting the horse in the sweet spot took a little time and persuasion but worth it.
robnlauren wrote:
So, without further ado, our kitchen studio:
Rob... nice! Care to share the dimensions of your space? I've got a spare bedroom that I want to use but was worried about the possible background-to-subject distance being an issue.
William Wilson wrote:
Studio shot from today, actually I transported my stobes to an arena just a bigger area I suppose. Anyway from a session tonight, lovely animal.
Good shot. Did he have any problem with the flashes?
I'm just happy to have found this space. I'll post photos once I get moved in.
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