SUMMARY

This article discusses the basics of setting up a photography studio in your home. For ease of dicussion, we have assumed the photographer already has access to the necessary cameras, lenses, and tripods.

THE ROOM	SURROUNDINGS	LIGHTING	ACCESSORIES
Size Natural Light Power Ventilation	Walls Floors Backdrops Paper Cloth Partition	Flash/Strobe Lights Continuous Lights Modifiers	Ladder/Stools Props Furniture Additional backdrops

SIZE

A high ceiling is perhaps the quality most easily parted with, depending on what you plan to photograph. If you shoot human subjects standing up, you may occasionally need to light them from above and 8 foot ceilings will make this quite difficult. If, however, you primarily shoot product images, seated portraits, or small children, ceiling height may not be as important.

A basement can be a great option for a studio, for the reason discussed next. If the ceiling is high enough, the vertical supports common in many below-ground rooms may be an issue. They are possible to work around, but again, you do not want to be forced to move your lighting stands or your camera from the perfect position due to a concrete pillar.

One professional photographer states their ideal for shooting portraits is a minimum space of 17x10 feet.

NATURAL LIGHT

This is another reason a basement studio may be ideal. Windows are often small, and will be easier to cover completely. If you are not using natural light, you will want your studio space to be pitch black when no lights are on. This means blocking the windows completely.

POWER

VENTILATION

If you are building your home with a studio in mind, or if you have a choice of rooms, one with ventilation is a good idea.

WALLS

FLOORS

BACKDROPS

Paper Backdrops

Paper is a common choice for backdrops - you've likely seen them in family portrait studios. This thick, kraft-like paper comes in large rolls that are generally hung above the models' heads.

Pros:

• It is relatively inexpensive, and comes in a wide range of colors, patterns, lengths, and widths.

• It hangs flat and smooth, and does not need to be ironed or washed.

• If it rips or gets dirty, you simply tear off that part and unroll more.

• It can be rather wasteful, depending on how much you use.

• The rolls are heavy, so you will likely need a dispenser made for that purpose.

• Because it is not a cloth that can simply be folded up and piled away. it is more space-consuming to store.

Cloth Backdrops

Cloth is another common option. While it may also come rolled, cloth backdrops are more often used as sheets. They can be equipped with slats or a pocket through which a hanging bar can be slid.

Pros:

• Cotton or polyester sheets can be relatively inexpensive.

• You have a choice of texture. Velvet has excellent light absorbing qualities, while cotton is smooth, but soft.

• When not in use, they can be folded and put away, taking up very little space.

• They can be reused again and again.

• Most fabrics are quite light, and can be hung with a standard curtain rod.

• If they get dirty, they must be washed, which can alter the color over time.

• They have a tendency to get wrinkled and require ironing. They may also wave when hung.

• They may need to be weighted at the bottom, and basic fabric sheets will require sewing to create the hanging pocket.

Seamless Wall

A third, and perhaps less practical option is the seamless wall. This rolling or otherwise moveable painted board or actual piece of wall provides a perfectly smooth, flat backdrop and multiple boards allow for interchangeable colors.

A 9-foot length is ideal - especially if you will be shooting family portraits or action - but even a 4.5-foot wall works well for close portraits or product images.

You'll likely require more space for a backdrop like this which can neither be folded nor rolled up. Depending on what you will be shooting, however, a seamless wall may be worth the work.

A white backdrop and studio lights

It is extremely easy to spend thousands of dollars on lighting equipment in no time at all, but unless you have that in your budget, that is an unnecessary expense. It is possible to get a good, basic lighting setup for under $200, you just need time to hunt, and patience.

If you're just starting out and don't have a precise list of exactly what you'll need, a basic lighting kit is the way to go. There are kits which include two lamps, two stands, two umbrellas, and even a carrying case for less than $100. While they may not be top quality, unless you are travelling or using them excessively, they should last until you have a bit more seed money to invest.

What follows is a descriptive list of the different lighting equipment you will come across when setting up your studio. While all these items are not required, basic understanding of them will aid in your decision-making process.

COLOR TEMPERATURE AND WHITE BALANCE

This is why it is important to understand white balance. Simply put, measuring white balance allows you to make the whites in your image (and therefore the other colors as well) truly white, regardless of the lighting conditions. In a perfect instance, the same photo taken with natural light, fluorescent light, and tungsten would look exactly the same.

Once you have determined a good white balance setting with a few test shots, you should not have to change the setting as long as you are shooting in that room with that light. If you were outdoors for a long period of time, however, you would want to re-check the balance as the sun moves overhead.

TYPES OF BULBS

Fluorescent: These energy efficient lights that are affordable and easy to find. However, they don't give out a ton of light - usually a maximum of 100 watts. Therefore, they may not be bright enough to light your studio on their own.

LED: Energy efficient LEDs last a long time and are lightweight. Unfortunately, they are not very bright, though this may change as the technology is still evolving. LED lights are still quite expensive.

Tungsten: Tungsten are popular due to their high output level. However, they burn extremely hot and can quickly warm up a small studio, not to mention be dangerous. They're not expensive to replace, but you must be wary of color temperature when shooting pictures under them.

FLASH/STROBE LIGHTS

Depending on the type of flash lamp and the settings, the flash may be short, long, or repeated multiple times. They're ideal for capturing and freezing action shots.

While this is a great way to save on electricity and cut down on the above mentioned heat issue, it is not an ideal option for every situation. Continuous lighting is preferred by most photographers for still photography. If you are shooting models, however, flash is considered the better method, as the quick burst of light reduces blur in animate subjects.

CONTINUOUS LIGHTS

The most common arrangement for studio lighting is one to the left and in front of the subject, one to the right and in front, and possibly a third behind and to the side or, in certain situations, below and pointing up onto the subject. By balancing out the lighting on each side of the model, shadows can be greatly reduced, if not eliminated, hair and cheekbones can be flatteringly highlighted, and the much sought-after "window box" reflection in the eye can be achieved.

MODIFIERS

• Diffuser box: Also called a White Box, this is a small accessory essential for product photography. The wire or wooden box frame is covered with white fabric or paper which allows the light to filter through, but eliminates shadows and reflections. Diffuser boxes can be purchases or made quite easily.

• Snoots: A snoot is a lighting attachment that fits over the lamp to focus the beam, allowing to photographer to control precisely where the light will fall. Most are cylindrical in shape, though some may be rectangular.

• Flags: Used to block light or cast a specific shadow, a flag is generally a wire-framed rectangle with a non-reflective black material stretched within. Their size ranges from a few inches square to numerous feet square.

• Reflectors: A reflector is any panel that has a reflective material - such as high shine cloth or foil - stretched across its surface. They may be hand-held or affixed to a stand. The umbrellas discussed below are a type of reflector. This modifier is used to redirect the light onto, or away from, the subject.

• Soft boxes: A soft box sits over the lamp, serving as a diffuser box for the light itself. They are generally made from material stretched over a metal frame. The back and sides are black and non-reflective, while the front panel is a semi-translucent white material. Like a diffuser box, a soft box will minimize shadows and reflections, as the bulb itself is concealed.

• Umbrellas: Umbrellas look just like their rainy-day namesake. They have a reflective interior which diffuses and redirects the light when placed in front of the lamp. Generally, the light is turned away from the subject, with the reflective side of the umbrella facing the subject. When the lamp is lit, the softened, reflected light bounces off the umbrella to light the subject.

A soft box over a studio light

Lighting umbrella

Ladder/Stool: Besides allowing you to reach and angle any overhead lights, a ladder is a great tool for getting some really unique shots during a photo shoot. If the ceilings in your studio are quite low, you may only need a stepladder.

Diffuser box/White box: As discussed above, a diffuser box softens the light around an object to eliminate harsh shadows and reflections. If you do product photography, this accessory is essential.

Props: Are you planning to take single portraits, family photos, or pictures of children? If you are often working with people who don't model professionally, props are a great tool for relieving their nerves and making them feel relaxed and comfortable. Silly sunglasses, signs, or hats are great for adults, while a hoard of fluffy toys are a must for kids.

Furniture: If you are shooting people, you will want at least a few pieces of furniture. A simple stool is a popular piece, and can easily be draped with fabric that matches the background for an "invisible" effect. A small couch or lounge, or a very unique statement piece may also be useful for artistic shots.

Mirrors: Essentially another prop, a mirror can result in some very interesting and unique images. Use them to reflect the light, both the front and back of the model in a fashion shoot, or get really creative by having your subject hold or stand on a reflective surface.

Additional backdrops: Basic black, white, and gray backdrops are useful and extremely versatile, but once your business has begun to expand, you may want to add in some patterned or boldly colored pieces for your edgier shoots. Space can often be an issue for a home studio, so don't let your eyes be bigger than your utility closet!

Have questions about any of our photography services or products? Don't hesitate to contact us. Our knowledgeable staff is always happy to assist with answers, advice, or suggestions.

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