Setting up home studio - right direction?

"Robert Meyers" <webmaster.DeleteThis@websownnothere.com> wrote in message
news:10mb5u2rr5pjad6@corp.supernews.com...
 >
 >
 > Hello all,
 >
 >
 >
 > I am thinking of setting up a one car garage as a small studio. I am
going
 > to throw out the equipment I am thinking of, and what I have. If you have
 > any suggestions, feel free.stions, feel free.small studio. I am going to
 > throw out the equipment I am thinking of, and what equipment I have:
 >
 >
 >
 > Equipment I have:
 >
 >
 >
 > Metz 34CS-2 Slave (background)
 >
 > Olympus FL-50 w/ Soft Box (Hair or second point)
 >
 > 36" Reflector (White/Gold)
 >
 > 24" Reflector (Silver/Gold)
 >
 > Tripod/Head
 >
 > Camera
 >
 >
 >
 > Equipment I was thinking of:
 >
 >
 >
 > Paterson DigitFlash Panel - 500 Watt/Seconds
 >
 > Bogen / Manfrotto 3361QL - Quick Lock Light Stand - Black, 8'
 >
 > Paterson Barndoor Set for DigitFlash, DigiLite Panels
 >
 >
 >
 > Slik SDV-20 Tripod with 3-Way Pan / Tilt Head (for FL-50)
 >
 >
 >
 > Lastolite Bracketed Stand for Collapsible Backgrounds
 >
 > Botero Collapsible Background - 5x7' - #005 (Patterned Grey)
 >
 > Botero Collapsible Background - 5x7' - #037 (White/Black)
 >
 >
 >
 > Photek Digital Lighthouse Shooting Tent - Small 15 x 15 x 23"
 >
 >
 >
 > Am I going in the right direction? Every few months I would expect to ad
a
 > new flash, as they earn their addition.
 >
 >
 >
 > So, would this work? I am primarily thinking people 1-3, and small
 > products.
 >

I'm using a converted garage for an office now, its much too small for a
portrait studio unless you only want to do head and shoulders stuff typical
for school picture, passports, real estate head shots etc. from your choice
of background and lighting that may well be.

collapsible backgrounds are a very cool idea but the idiots that sell them
don't get it. they sell the same kind of material and image style as with
the muslin drop cloths, but that style is supposed to look like a drop
cloth, pinned and draped, bunched and gathered, pleated and wrinkled, not
flat and smooth which just makes the background look like a dirty wall.
The twist and fold toss up backgrounds are great for location shooters who
need to work fast, wedding photographers etc. I would get the 8x16, it
will give enough room to shoot a small group typical of wedding and small
family photos and has that apron that pulls forward so you can do some
passable full lengths.

I would get one good studio flash, either a white lightning or photogenic,
both are popular and quality products, and a reflector to start with, 24 inc
is fine for product shots but for people you need a big one, you can use a
sheet of styrofoam insulation panel for 10-12 bucks at your local hardware
warehouse.

bounce your flash off the side wall, paint it white with a kiss of red added
is the way a good white wall was described to me though these days of white
balancing in the camera you don't need that anymore. bouncing the flash
gives you the effect of a very large softbox. with the money you save on
not buying a small barely adequate for head shots softbox you can afford a
good studio flash.

the question you should ask your self, are you intending to duplicate the
same kinds of portraits that exist in shopping malls and kmarts?

this reply is echoed to the z-prophoto mailing list at yahoogroups.com<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Setting up home studio - right direction? 

To use a one car garage as a studio is fine for up to head and
shoulders portraits, anything further is really out of the question.

With your background flat against the wall, your subject will need to
be around 4 - 6ft from this, and then with a portrait lens (around
100mm) you (the photographer) will need to be 6 - 8ft from the model.

If you put your subject any closer to the background, you will
obviously get more of your subject in the picture, but you will be
limited.

hope this helps

culedude


"Robert Meyers" <webmaster.RemoveThis@websownnothere.com> wrote in message news:<10mb5u2rr5pjad6.RemoveThis@corp.supernews.com>...
 > Hello all,
 >
 >
 >
 > I am thinking of setting up a one car garage as a small studio. I am going
 > to throw out the equipment I am thinking of, and what I have. If you have
 > any suggestions, feel free.stions, feel free.small studio. I am going to
 > throw out the equipment I am thinking of, and what equipment I have:
 >
 >
 >
 > Equipment I have:
 >
 >
 >
 > Metz 34CS-2 Slave (background)
 >
 > Olympus FL-50 w/ Soft Box (Hair or second point)
 >
 > 36" Reflector (White/Gold)
 >
 > 24" Reflector (Silver/Gold)
 >
 > Tripod/Head
 >
 > Camera
 >
 >
 >
 > Equipment I was thinking of:
 >
 >
 >
 > Paterson DigitFlash Panel - 500 Watt/Seconds
 >
 > Bogen / Manfrotto 3361QL - Quick Lock Light Stand - Black, 8'
 >
 > Paterson Barndoor Set for DigitFlash, DigiLite Panels
 >
 >
 >
 > Slik SDV-20 Tripod with 3-Way Pan / Tilt Head (for FL-50)
 >
 >
 >
 > Lastolite Bracketed Stand for Collapsible Backgrounds
 >
 > Botero Collapsible Background - 5x7' - #005 (Patterned Grey)
 >
 > Botero Collapsible Background - 5x7' - #037 (White/Black)
 >
 >
 >
 > Photek Digital Lighthouse Shooting Tent - Small 15 x 15 x 23"
 >
 >
 >
 > Am I going in the right direction? Every few months I would expect to ad a
 > new flash, as they earn their addition.
 >
 >
 >
 > So, would this work? I am primarily thinking people 1-3, and small
 > products.
 >
 >
 >
 > Robert Meyers<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Setting up home studio - right direction? 

"Culedude" <google.RemoveThis@photomag.co.uk> wrote in message
news:cb58c1f2.0410111604.9aba09c@posting.google.com...
 > To use a one car garage as a studio is fine for up to head and
 > shoulders portraits, anything further is really out of the question.
 >
 > With your background flat against the wall, your subject will need to
 > be around 4 - 6ft from this, and then with a portrait lens (around
 > 100mm) you (the photographer) will need to be 6 - 8ft from the model.
 >
 > If you put your subject any closer to the background, you will
 > obviously get more of your subject in the picture, but you will be
 > limited.
 >
 > hope this helps

Head and shoulders, face studies and some seated were what I was thinking.
Due to space. Beyond that, small product.

Pretty much verifies what I was thinking. One of the reasons I want a
pretty portable kit.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Setting up home studio - right direction? 

On Mon, 11 Oct 2004 23:09:41 -0700, "Robert Meyers"
<webmaster RemoveThis @websownnothere.com> wrote:

 >"Culedude" <google RemoveThis @photomag.co.uk> wrote in message
 >news:cb58c1f2.0410111604.9aba09c@posting.google.com...
  >> To use a one car garage as a studio is fine for up to head and
  >> shoulders portraits, anything further is really out of the question.
  >>
  >> With your background flat against the wall, your subject will need to
  >> be around 4 - 6ft from this, and then with a portrait lens (around
  >> 100mm) you (the photographer) will need to be 6 - 8ft from the model.
  >>
  >> If you put your subject any closer to the background, you will
  >> obviously get more of your subject in the picture, but you will be
  >> limited.
  >>
  >> hope this helps
 >
 >Head and shoulders, face studies and some seated were what I was thinking.
 >Due to space. Beyond that, small product.
 >
 >Pretty much verifies what I was thinking. One of the reasons I want a
 >pretty portable kit.
 >

Depending on your garage size you can do quite a bit. I have a single
garage converted from an open carport and I can shoot about 4 people
posed comfortably in a group. It has a 10 ft ceiling and is about 20
ft long, however.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Setting up home studio - right direction? 

"McLeod" <cerveza61.RemoveThis@sympatico.ca> wrote in message
news:05oom0tlsueiqrtn5f465bsquqhkkga8ch@4ax.com...
 > On Mon, 11 Oct 2004 23:09:41 -0700, "Robert Meyers"
 > <webmaster.RemoveThis@websownnothere.com> wrote:
 >
  >>"Culedude" <google.RemoveThis@photomag.co.uk> wrote in message
  >>news:cb58c1f2.0410111604.9aba09c@posting.google.com...
   >>> To use a one car garage as a studio is fine for up to head and
   >>> shoulders portraits, anything further is really out of the question.
   >>>
   >>> With your background flat against the wall, your subject will need to
   >>> be around 4 - 6ft from this, and then with a portrait lens (around
   >>> 100mm) you (the photographer) will need to be 6 - 8ft from the model.
   >>>
   >>> If you put your subject any closer to the background, you will
   >>> obviously get more of your subject in the picture, but you will be
   >>> limited.
   >>>
   >>> hope this helps
  >>
  >>Head and shoulders, face studies and some seated were what I was thinking.
  >>Due to space. Beyond that, small product.
  >>
  >>Pretty much verifies what I was thinking. One of the reasons I want a
  >>pretty portable kit.
  >>
 >
 > Depending on your garage size you can do quite a bit. I have a single
 > garage converted from an open carport and I can shoot about 4 people
 > posed comfortably in a group. It has a 10 ft ceiling and is about 20
 > ft long, however.

My Garage is 18' L x 8'W x 8'H . Opinions?<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Setting up home studio - right direction? 

In article <10mpjtcgisgl05a.RemoveThis@corp.supernews.com>, Robert Meyers
<webmaster.RemoveThis@websownnothere.com> wrote:

 > My Garage is 18' L x 8'W x 8'H . Opinions?

When I had the studio, my camera room was 11x21 (10' ceiling).<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Setting up home studio - right direction? 

On Tue, 12 Oct 2004 23:48:08 -0700, "Robert Meyers"
<webmaster.DeleteThis@websownnothere.com> wrote:

 >My Garage is 18' L x 8'W x 8'H . Opinions?

The width is the seriously limiting factor here. You might be stuck
with head and shoulder shots. You may want to look into Norman (or
Chinese knockoff) type wall mounted booms for space saving reasons.
Some times an open garage door can make a nice even fill light if you
can manage the colour temperature.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Setting up home studio - right direction? 

 >To use a one car garage as a studio is fine for up to head and
 >shoulders portraits, anything further is really out of the question.

I disagree. Almost everything you see on my website (www.erochron.com)
was shot in my 12'x14' basement, with 8' ceilings. There's plenty of
full-body stuff there, and some couples as well. Yeah, OK: there are
things that I couldn't do, but I'm just saying that it isn't
impossible to do full-body stuff in a small space.

----------------------
Erochron
Intimate Portraiture
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.erochron.com" target="_blank">http://www.erochron.com</a>

(Remove the "-NoCannedMeat-" from my e-mail address
if you want to reply to me via e-mail.).

Matthew<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Setting up home studio - right direction? 

   > >>Head and shoulders, face studies and some seated were what I was
thinking.
   > >>Due to space. Beyond that, small product.
   > >>
   > >>Pretty much verifies what I was thinking. One of the reasons I want a
   > >>pretty portable kit.
   > >>
  > >
  > > Depending on your garage size you can do quite a bit. I have a single
  > > garage converted from an open carport and I can shoot about 4 people
  > > posed comfortably in a group. It has a 10 ft ceiling and is about 20
  > > ft long, however.
 >
 > My Garage is 18' L x 8'W x 8'H . Opinions?
 >
 >

width is very narrow, can be dealt with by bouncing your key light off the
side wall, using a boom for hair light. paint the other wall bright white
for a reflector.

height is a very limiting factor. a subject almost six feet tall means you
are already pressing the softbox against the ceiling just to get it eye
level. They make special softbox mounts called Sidewinder (I think that's
just a Larson tradename but the concept is helpful) the light tube fits into
a reflector dome that directs the light so instead of the back of your
monohead sticking up and banging the ceiling when you try to shoot with the
thing tilted down, you get an extra 6 to 12 inches of room.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Setting up home studio - right direction? 

Well I had to have a look didn't I?

Most of the images on your site are indeed "head and shoulders"
Yes there are a couple which show the complete person (albeit
kneeling)
The sizes you mention for your garage limit you to h&s unless:
ou use a wider than standard lens for effect or get he subject to wrap
up small (kneel)
The other option you have is to completely paint the garage black,
this way you can use the shadows and open up your options!

culedude


Matthew H. <NoCannedMeat-matthew DeleteThis @NoCannedMeat-erochron.com> wrote in message news:<2d3qm0hsk8uhp3rse6ca5j160d4g6h3v7b DeleteThis @fe02.buzzardnews.com>...
  > >To use a one car garage as a studio is fine for up to head and
  > >shoulders portraits, anything further is really out of the question.
 >
 > I disagree. Almost everything you see on my website (www.erochron.com)
 > was shot in my 12'x14' basement, with 8' ceilings. There's plenty of
 > full-body stuff there, and some couples as well. Yeah, OK: there are
 > things that I couldn't do, but I'm just saying that it isn't
 > impossible to do full-body stuff in a small space.
 >
 > ----------------------
 > Erochron
 > Intimate Portraiture
<font color=purple> > <a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.erochron.com</font" target="_blank">http://www.erochron.com</font</a>>
 >
 > (Remove the "-NoCannedMeat-" from my e-mail address
 > if you want to reply to me via e-mail.).
 >
 > Matthew<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Setting up home studio - right direction? 

 > I disagree. Almost everything you see on my website (www.erochron.com)
 > was shot in my 12'x14' basement, with 8' ceilings. There's plenty of
 > full-body stuff there, and some couples as well. Yeah, OK: there are
 > things that I couldn't do, but I'm just saying that it isn't
 > impossible to do full-body stuff in a small space.
 >

a couple years ago there was a guy who shot a bunch of his kids' teenage
goth friends in a small room and they were rather interesting as he posed
carefully and you could hardly tell he was using a very wide angle lens.
whatever distortion there was had been used actually. however it is a very
confining situation literally figuratively and creatively.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Setting up home studio - right direction?