Fitting a studio into a tight space.

[S4S]

So the darkroom equipment went into landfill Monday and I'm thinking of turning the rear half of the internal garage into a studio, of sorts.

My dilemma is although the garage is two and a half cars lengths end to end its only one car in width, or more accurately 8ft 6in / 2.6M.
I can see it would work all be it with restrictions so I'd really appreciate to hear any experience on this from TP members.

 

[Garry Edwards]

Have you seen this thread?

 

[S4S]

Thanks Garry. I had read Cowsaki's thread which was mainly building choices but still some good info.
It was more whether people manage ok with these sized spaces and it seems so. Perhaps I'd be better just to get on with it and start a build thread when I'm ready.

 

[cowasaki]

I manage but the results are in different threads. I followed the small studio advice and painted everything matt dk grey

You have to keep it organised and I have found the it works quite well

 

[cowasaki]

This guy manages in a REALLY tight space

[YOUTUBE]VYkNKP96b84[/YOUTUBE]

 

[S4S]

Ever get that feeling you don't like someone? No really, kudos to the guy and if I had the space I'd probably do the same (given clients).

Thanks for your thread Cowasaki. The paint tip is ideal and what I was looking for along with how people manage. I'll be installing a floating floor on polystyrene and dry lining the rendered walls with vapour check plaster board but rather than blab on about what I'm going to do I'll wait until its in motion.

One thing I am going to look at is a ceiling mounted rail system for the lights. It'll only take two or three trips over tripod stands to wish I had of.

How do you get on with the soft boxes Vs room width?

 

[cowasaki]

Right here goes...

Rails - Get 6 9' lengths of aluminium pipe and stick them along your ceiling about 2" from the ceiling. Then get yourself 2 or 3 sets of Manfrotto magic clamps and arms. You can then attach the lights pretty much anywhere at ceiling height!! The ali pipe is dirt cheap (I have 2 steel ones here free on collection if someone wants them!). It is just as flexible as a rail system but massively cheaper as you can get extra clamps and arms as and when you can afford/need them.

I have 2 softboxes a 95cm octo softbox and a 140x30 cm strip box. I am going to get a collapsible Lencarta square one too (I think their stuff feels as good as the more expensive stuff without being more expensive!). They do get in the way a little bit but small softboxes just don't do the job always.

I have 2 x ElitePro 300w lights, 2 x Safari 600w lights and 1 x 180w light.

There are some things where you really want distance between the backdrop and subject BUT you will have the full length of the garage.

White backgrounds are supposed to be hardest to get with a small space but I bought a 2nd hand hilite box so that sorted that out BUT I can get a white background using the back drop without the hilite. It is just a little easier with the hilite.

One problem is storage space for props and equipment and you just have to be imaginative. I have a white furry fleece and 2 white furry cushions which some people like for baby shots I have these in a clear plastic bag which is tied up with the air squashed out and I can then put it in a smaller space. Paper rolls go on top of the ceiling rails stuff like that.

I can get full white and full black backgrounds and today was getting nice clean chromakey ones having bought some dk green fleece material from the local fabric shop so it is definitely all doable. Just post any questions extra and if I can help or know the answer I will tell you.

 

[S4S]

Thank you for taking the time Darren. Just one question on the rail system that you mention, have you engineered a way to drop the lights from ceiling height to say 2-3ft from the ground? I'm looking for total flexibility through elimination of the least stands possible.

Good call on the back lit backdrop. This is something I need to look at as length is not an issue, its just the width.

Another question if I may Darren, what are your plans for heating the garage and all your kit in the winter? Had my garage not already have the ability to add radiators (central heating system runs the length of one garage wall) I'd have gone with a timber build to suit my needs, but heating my kit in a build I won't use much or carting it in and out isn't an option. What;'s your plan?

 

[cowasaki]

Thank you for taking the time Darren. Just one question on the rail system that you mention, have you engineered a way to drop the lights from ceiling height to say 2-3ft from the ground? I'm looking for total flexibility through elimination of the least stands possible.

Good call on the back lit backdrop. This is something I need to look at as length is not an issue, its just the width.

Another question if I may Darren, what are your plans for heating the garage and all your kit in the winter? Had my garage not already have the ability to add radiators (central heating system runs the length of one garage wall) I'd have gone with a timber build to suit my needs, but heating my kit in a build I won't use much or carting it in and out isn't an option. What;'s your plan?

I actually have several roof trusses which I am using rather than aluminium poles. I am just using a couple of them for the backdrops. I use stands when it gets below 6 feet. It would not be a problem to have a vertical drop though. I bought some "lighting pole brackets" which cost about £5 each. They clamp onto the horizontal pole and have a screw thread bolt. You could get 3-4 4 foot poles and attach them to the lighting brackets and hang them from the ceiling and then attach to them. I'll dig them out tomorrow and post a picture if you like....

 

[S4S]

I'd appreciate that Darren but expect me to go off on a tangent in design. I need to see this stuff to see what's possible so I appreciate your input.

The talk of poles did confuse me as I'd seen angle iron in your pictures but I understand where you're coming from now.

 

[Triggaaar]

Rails - Get 6 9' lengths of aluminium pipe and stick them along your ceiling about 2" from the ceiling. Then get yourself 2 or 3 sets of Manfrotto magic clamps and arms. You can then attach the lights pretty much anywhere at ceiling height!!

Interesting info Darren thanks. As you may see from my studio I am limited on head space, and Garry Edwards suggested that rail systems weren't good when you had a lack of height. If your rails allow you to get lights at ceiling height that could be useful for me in places (ie, not accross the whole studio, but just along a couple of the high points). Have you got any shots of the rails with lights attached in action?

Thanks

 

[cowasaki]

Interesting info Darren thanks. As you may see from my studio I am limited on head space, and Garry Edwards suggested that rail systems weren't good when you had a lack of height. If your rails allow you to get lights at ceiling height that could be useful for me in places (ie, not accross the whole studio, but just along a couple of the high points). Have you got any shots of the rails with lights attached in action?

Thanks

I have the aluminium poles for back drops but could attach lights to them. I actually use the roof trusses (which are L section steel painted to match the walls!) as rails using Manfrotto clamps/arms. These arms are BRILLIANT and allow you to get lights in at any angle just make sure your lighting supplier warranties their use upside down etc. I specifically asked Garry at Lencarta about the ElitePro lights which he said were ok due to having fans fitted!

I will do some picts later when I take the pictures for my absolute beginners lighting tutorial in the basics section but just look up "Manfrotto arm" on google.