Studio Upgrade...

EdinburghGary

EdinburghGary

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Gary
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Guys,

For those of you interested, I am making some "upgrades" to the studio in the coming days whilst things are quiet.

Some context:
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=188313
and
http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=187816


STAGE 1:
I am ripping down my current Lastolite Vinyl Backdrop which is attached to my Background Support Stand. This currently has 2ft behind it as a result of the position and size of the support stand legs.

Once the support stand is completely removed, I will then build a frame, the exact width of the Vinyl, from the floor to ceiling. This frame will be strapped to the wall and the vinyl attached to it.

The end result of stage 1 is simply a backdrop which is further from my main shooting area, a backdrop which is behind my current "round thew room" curtain track, instead of infront of it (allowing me to flag it with black drapes).



STAGE 2:
Now, this is where things MIGHT get interesting :)

If I still require more control after stage 1, I will be adding a second frame, the same size as the background frame, and then meshing it with a diffusion material. I will then blackout the sides and top, ensuring all light comes via the screen. This should in essence result in me having a giant "hilite" style system, one which has new challenges (lighting it evenly for example), and wrap problems (thanks Garry).

The wrap problem I hope to control via my blackout drapes, (which btw will double as various other studio backdrops :D), the lighting it evenly, well - not sure. I only really need to account for my "shooting backdrop" as opposed to the whole backdrop though.

One other thing. I will be building a mechanism which acts as an INTERNAL ceiling, allowing my to LIMIT the internal lit area in terms of height. This will be adjustable. and whilst I am not sure HOW to do this, it won't prove too hard.

I will post photos of the current setup when work starts and keep you all updated. The finished article may well be a huge backlit studio wall.

Gary.
 
Good luck with this! Stage 1 sounds completely sensible and stage 2 sounds very very interesting :thumbs:
 
Good luck with your studio mods Gary, it would be interesting to see your Hilite if you get around to doing it.
 
Gary as a thought couldnt you light the giant hilite with some very large strip boxes down the side. Your lights should be plenty powerful enough I would think.
 
Also thinking about the internal height control you could easily put some hinged MDF panels onto back wall at half height and 3/4 height that just lift up then lock into the front support posts using latch bolts. They could be covered top and bottom with tile board to still be reflective whilst not in use.
 
Have completed the first phase, and instantly I am in a MUCH better place.

Here is a shot of the ALMOST finished backwall (had to stop stapling as neighbours were getting upset)...

backwalld.jpg


And two photo's, NO processing other than a tiny crop and dust removal.

1
nopp2.jpg


2
nopp1.jpg


As you can see, far from perfect, but I am using Nikon strobes. Once my dedicated lights are installed, I hope to find that little bit extra control and really nail the in camera shots, meaning it will be CAMERA > CLIENT SLIDESHOW > SELECTION > PROCESSING > PRINTING > PAYMENT :D

Apologies for lack of a human subject, it's very late!! :D

Next step - remove all the white drapes, replace with BLACK, BLUE, RED and various other colours, allowing me very flexible studio backdrops. Remove the two black side walls, extend the floor which will give me at least 50% to 70% more floor space.

Still need to decide on whether I continue with the mod and go for the HILITE type setup.

Gary.
 
What did you put on the floor to get that reflective surface and where did you get it?
 
rowla said:
What did you put on the floor to get that reflective surface and where did you get it?
Click to expand...

Grant Westfield, in Edinburgh.

TOUNGE AND GROOVE VERSION is £70 a board + £15 per edge of tounge & groove, exc vat. Ask them about the "bathroom wall material, gloss white" - I think it's called hygiene board or something.

I budget approximately £90 per sheet, and you will need at least two for anything other than the smallest of subjects. It's not portable, 18mm thick. 8x4ft and very heavy.

I am still researching a portable solution, but have a few ideas, and most of them very cheap.

Gary.
 
Cheers Gary.

Will be interested to hear what solution you come up with for the portable setup.
 
I was thinking of getting some of this acrylic from homebase.


Pros
  • Perspex is thin (2mm) and maybe light enough to lug around.
  • Seems to be around half the price of the white bathroom stuff.
  • As I have a homebase nearby no delivery costs.

Cons
  • Maybe it is too thin. Am worried it might crack over carpet while standing on it with high heels.
  • its clear, not white. So I would need some sort of white material for under it.
  • Not tongue & groove so joins might be visible
 
rowla said:
I was thinking of getting some of this acrylic from homebase.


Pros
  • Perspex is thin (2mm) and maybe light enough to lug around.
  • Seems to be around half the price of the white bathroom stuff.
  • As I have a homebase nearby no delivery costs.

Cons
  • Maybe it is too thin. Am worried it might crack over carpet while standing on it with high heels.
  • its clear, not white. So I would need some sort of white material for under it.
  • Not tongue & groove so joins might be visible
Click to expand...

I don't have a studio and don't have the space for one but if I were doing it I would not skimp on cost. You mention heals - they may also scratch the perspex so go for the best materials. Remember, your customers will go and tell everyone all about their session, if they saw cheap, they will tell everyone that's what they saw!
 
I wouldn't complain with those unprocessed shots! Looking really good, the late night was worth it!
 
Gary, jsut thinking on the reply you posted on my thread re:backgrounds, you have your walls painted white?
 
we have two sets of the manfrotto copy background supports in our studio.
one has two vinyl backgrounds on it with no probs at all.
i went to the local metals supplier and bought five lengths of aluminium tube to mount fabric backgrounds on for the other set.
cost me about £20 for five lengths.
 
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