Model Photography - Building my own studio

J.B.PHOTOGRAPHY

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James
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Hi everyone i want to start model photography up but i am a complete beginner what equipment do i need for building my own studio???

I use a canon eos 450d and have a standard 18-55 mm lens & a Ultrasonic EF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 III USM lens.
 
backdrop, 4 lights (ideally, for shooting on white seamless anyway), modifiers for said lights, radio triggering system for at least one light. Your lenses will do for now.

Start with location based stuff, it's a lot cheaper :P ^_^
 
Hes means go to a place where you dont need a studio. Local Park, private gardens etc
 
also look at the 50mm f1.8 lens, it'll give you a lot more creative control
indoors...a flash unit would be helpful
even outdoors for fill flash
 
Do you know anyone who will let you borrow / use their stuff?

Obviously have a look at internet, particularly Strobist.com
You may not need full studio gear if you go down the strobist route.
Have a good think about the space you have available and what you can fit in.
 
Do what i do, get a speedlight, a radio trigger then work with simple one light setups, then add a second speedlight, trigger and blow out a white wall or give extra detail.

Watch some DVD's, ZA's one light for example.
More people are going to let you practice like this while you take your time to find your voice and uniqueness.

As you leanr to light well keep upgrading to more lights or better ones and as the money starts building then look to studio lights.
 
a thought to studio lights is renting, you can rent a whole studio for a day if you have a shoot and think its worth it as well as strobe set ups
 
Complete beginner?

Join a club
Take a course
Rent studio space

What sort of model work are you wanting to shoot?
Fashion, glamour, beauty?

Do you want to be able to create sets or just shoot on a constant white seamless backdrop?

Are you looking at building a permanent studio or a temporary one?

Full length shots (fashion & glamour) will need a lot of space.

For white seamless read this (all 5 parts)
http://www.zarias.com/?p=71

For understanding flash and setting you on the right direction, the OneLight DVD's are worth investing in.

For shooting glamour, have a look at Jason Cole's DVD (he's usually found in the Glamour section of the forum)

I started with one hotshoe flash off camera, added more, bought a backdrop etc.

Now I rent a studio when I need it, it's easier and someone else has the worry of buying and looking after the gear, insuring it etc. I just turn up, setup and shoot.
 
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