The perfect TP studio WITH PHOTOS! March 1st update

Rudesing

Rudesing

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...my loft conversion is almost finished (builders said 6 weeks, we're at week 12, :bang:) and I'm starting to look at what type of studio equipment I'll need to go up there. Woo hoo :clap:

The room is L shaped. The largest rectangle is 15ft length by 12ft wide, with 7ft (ish) height, the studio backdrop is at the bottom of the 'L' so I'll have more width there.

I mainly take photographs of kids so I want as much floor space lit evenly as possible but it will get used for other things by camera club etc.

Would love thoughts / suggestions on the following:
- studio flooring (to go on top of dark wood laminate)
- backdrop - do I get the bigger hilite, infinity curve or just use back wall as I aim to blow out the background anyway
- equipment (see list below), I have a reasonable budget (the more I spend the harder I'll have to work to pay back the bank manager aka Mr Rudesing)
- anything else!!!!!

I have tonnes of ideas and I have been following posts on here including the studios by EdinburghGary & mmcp42 and the flooring from DiddyDave/Dellipher :notworthy: but don't want to make this post any longer!!!!

:thankyou: if you've read this far.

My current equipment includes:
50D with 24-105L
Lencarta background support and material backdrops
6by7 hilite
Portaflash series 3
- 2 x 230v flash (one silver umbrella & one small softbox)
- wide angle slave flash 230v (use in hilite currently)

I am so excited about this!!!!!! I'll post my current set up in a separate post, once I've sorted the pics.
 
Try and post some piccies of the room, we are a very visual lot here and may need to inspect you area to help you more.
 
Yes, post us some pics of your blank room so we can see what we have...

:thumbs:
 
Here's the layout (the corner with the window isn't to scale, I'll measure it later)

Room1.jpg


View from door (ceiling only slanted a bit, most of it 7ft):
IMG_0514.JPG


View standing at runway facing window
IMG_0541w.jpg


View of runway before plastering (don't know what else to call it, could use it for extra space for lights):
IMG_0452.jpg
 
First thing I notice is that you will need blackout curtains for the windo if you are using the wall stated as backdrop. (lots of light coming from there) You dont want too much ambient light when using your stobes.

You may find that you will be shooting right at 15ft for full length shots but you should be OK.

Try not to paint the walls white as this reflects too much light and is hard to control.

I like it so far and I am sure Mr Len Carter (sorry Garry E ) will be along soon to help out even further.
 
You can never have enough plug sockets so try and add plenty around the room
 
Nice space :)

I agree with being able to black the window off, should give you some great control. Whatever method you use, try to make it removable though because there is also the capacity for some lovely window lit portraits there. You can also use the window as a softbox, that's what Parisienne painters used to do in their studios by draping some muslin over their loft windows.

Some offcuts of carpet would roll up nicely into the runway and some bright colours could work nicely with kids. :)

I'm insanely jealous :) Enjoy :)
 
tiler65 said:
First thing I notice is that you will need blackout curtains for the windo if you are using the wall stated as backdrop. (lots of light coming from there) You dont want too much ambient light when using your stobes.

Try not to paint the walls white as this reflects too much light and is hard to control.

I like it so far and I am sure Mr Len Carter (sorry Garry E ) will be along soon to help out even further.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the post! I'll definitely be buying a blackout blind. I was thinking of painting the walls white for doing white background kids shoots, as then wherever they are they'll be well lit. Then painting black boards to bring in for other shoots where I need more control over lighting. Anyone else tried this?

tiler65 said:
You can never have enough plug sockets so try and add plenty around the room
Click to expand...

Good point! I have one either side of the runway, one by the window, two half way down either side of the longest wall and was meant to have one of left hand side of the backdrop but (despite 3 reminders) the builder forgot :bonk:
 
AliB said:
Nice space :)

I agree with being able to black the window off, should give you some great control. Whatever method you use, try to make it removable though because there is also the capacity for some lovely window lit portraits there. You can also use the window as a softbox, that's what Parisienne painters used to do in their studios by draping some muslin over their loft windows.

Some offcuts of carpet would roll up nicely into the runway and some bright colours could work nicely with kids. :)

I'm insanely jealous :) Enjoy :)
Click to expand...

Thanks AliB! You can come visit (as long as you teach me everything you know!). Never thought about window lit portraits, great idea! The runway has spotlights built into it (just white though) so really should have thought of that too.

Anyone got thoughts on equipment upgrades or choice of backgrounds? Or have I asked too many things in one post?
 
I assume this is multi purpose room, so i would paint walls white and then construct 2 black movable walls to prevent too much reflection either side.

Area perfect for window lit natural light portraits...

Use your Hilite as this means the model can stand back against it giving you the room to move about.

Just need something to put on the floor, possibly material or perspex ??

:thumbs:

+1 on jealous ... :'(


Add a light meter to your list if you are not keeping it permanently setup, easier for setting it back up.....
 
markw08 said:
I assume this is multi purpose room, so i would paint walls white and then construct 2 black movable walls to prevent too much reflection either side.

Area perfect for window lit natural light portraits...

Use your Hilite as this means the model can stand back against it giving you the room to move about.

Just need something to put on the floor, possibly material or perspex ??

:thumbs:

+1 on jealous ... :'(


Add a light meter to your list if you are not keeping it permanently setup, easier for setting it back up.....
Click to expand...

Yes, it'll be multi-purpose (don't earn enough to pay business tax on it). Moveable walls, can't wait to suggest that to Mr Rudesing, DIY isn't his greatest skill.

I'm not 100% sure about using the hilite. Even on its side I don't think it's wide enough for the amount of running around a 3yr old does. However, it is fantastic and means I don't have to worry about overspill.

I was thinking of some type of perspex stuff for the floor. No idea where to start on that (apart from searching on here - my answer to everything).

Light meter - check!

Thanks for the reply :clap:
 
I use a Highlite in small studio for childrens portraits and use a big white rug on the floor it merges well into the background and gives a warm comfortable look to the portraits.. A pure white is easy to achieve with a little trial and error on the light settings.
Good luck and enjoy your studio as I have mine, make the whole place child friendly IMO gets lots of lovely smiles. It's not only about equiptment but also creating atmosphere, if the little ones want to be there it's half the battle.
 
Love the natural light from that window you will of course have to compliment it with your studio lights sympathetically used but with digital photography you have plenty opportunity to experiment. Have fun and make some money you should capture some lovely images in there.
 
Phil Wood said:
I use a Highlite in small studio for childrens portraits and use a big white rug on the floor it merges well into the background and gives a warm comfortable look to the portraits.. A pure white is easy to achieve with a little trial and error on the light settings.
Good luck and enjoy your studio as I have mine, make the whole place child friendly IMO gets lots of lovely smiles. It's not only about equiptment but also creating atmosphere, if the little ones want to be there it's half the battle.
Click to expand...

Thanks Phil. I think if I use the Hilite then I'll have to put barriers up so the little ones keep in frame. I'm editing some now and have too many arms / heads outside the hilite which is causing problems. How do you do it?

I completely agree about the atmosphere / kid friendly room, my kids are going to lose half their toys when I'm shooting!

Phil Wood said:
Love the natural light from that window you will of course have to compliment it with your studio lights sympathetically used but with digital photography you have plenty opportunity to experiment. Have fun and make some money you should capture some lovely images in there.
Click to expand...

I'll have to see what the light is like through the window, hopefully I'll be able to some without any flash for a completely different style of photography (more things to learn for me!)

Thanks for the comments :thumbs:
 
That looks good so far :) am very jealous.

When i get the Keys on Tuesday to my Flat I can go about transforming the spare room into a mini studio, its not a big room 9'x11' but hopeing it'll do the job :).
 
kiteninja said:
That looks good so far :) am very jealous.

When i get the Keys on Tuesday to my Flat I can go about transforming the spare room into a mini studio, its not a big room 9'x11' but hopeing it'll do the job :).
Click to expand...

Thanks! I'm sure you'll be able to do something with a room that size, I've set up in rooms 7by10, it's a squeeze but can be done
 
Awesome!
 
Looks like a great project so far.#

As for the flooring, in the past I have used 3 sheets of 8ft x 4ft 12mm MDF for a studio floor. One side was pained eggshell White and the reverse side was painted with Black floor paint. I kept the white side up for the High Key work, and then flipped the boards if I needed a Low-Key effect. When the flooring started to look a little tatty and warn, it was a 30 min job to re-paint then. I my current studio we have a large white vinyl backdrop (7meters x 4meters) and vinyl flooring.

You may struggle a tat with your 24-105mm to get full body shots, bearing in mind you can&#8217;t have your subjects to close to your backdrop.

I have a study up in my loft at home and in the summer it can get very hot up there indeed, so you may need to think about some cooling system up there, especially if you are using window blackout blinds.

And as already been point out, you can never have enough power sockets.

Best of luck with this studio.
 
crikey - missed this one altogether!
slightly envious as you won't have to go outside to get to your "office"

I agree with some of the comments above:
lots of sockets
avoid too many white walls

ooh and try some clear perspex to put on the floor
got mine from homebase - crystal glaze I think they called it - very good and not too expensive

you gonna build a curve?

be ready for Christmas? (how the heck do you gift-wrap a studio?:nuts:)
 
Kemble3 said:
Looks like a great project so far.#

As for the flooring, in the past I have used 3 sheets of 8ft x 4ft 12mm MDF for a studio floor. One side was pained eggshell White and the reverse side was painted with Black floor paint. I kept the white side up for the High Key work, and then flipped the boards if I needed a Low-Key effect. When the flooring started to look a little tatty and warn, it was a 30 min job to re-paint then. I my current studio we have a large white vinyl backdrop (7meters x 4meters) and vinyl flooring.

You may struggle a tat with your 24-105mm to get full body shots, bearing in mind you can’t have your subjects to close to your backdrop.

I have a study up in my loft at home and in the summer it can get very hot up there indeed, so you may need to think about some cooling system up there, especially if you are using window blackout blinds.

And as already been point out, you can never have enough power sockets.

Best of luck with this studio.
Click to expand...

Thanks Kemble. I really hope I manage with the 24-105, as I love it but fair comment, I'll see what happens once I'm up there.

What lighting do you use with your set up? I can't decide between vinyl, continue with the Hilite or a curve. I really want reflective flooring though. Love the idea of having a two sided floor though, better speak to Mr Rudesing again.

Didn't think about how hot it'll be good point! I'll see how it does in the summer, there window is massive so I may just have to be organised and keep it open when I know I've got a shoot.
 
mmcp42 said:
crikey - missed this one altogether!
slightly envious as you won't have to go outside to get to your "office"

I agree with some of the comments above:
lots of sockets
avoid too many white walls

ooh and try some clear perspex to put on the floor
got mine from homebase - crystal glaze I think they called it - very good and not too expensive

you gonna build a curve?

be ready for Christmas? (how the heck do you gift-wrap a studio?:nuts:)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the comment! Builders have stuck the sockets in the wrong place (two behind where the curve would be :bang:) but at least there are lots of them!

Will check out the perspex from Homebase, there's one round the corner.

Can't decide on a backdrop yet. Too many decisions to make! Love the idea of a curve, but harder to make it dual-use rather than business use if got something so permanent in the room. Hmmmm......
 
:wave: UPDATE :wave:

Stupid builders!!!! There is no update. We have plaster on the walls and disappearing builders. Grrrrrrrr :bat:

After threatening them, they have promised windows next week.

I still haven't decided:
- what equipment to buy
- what background to have
- which torture method to use to get the builders to finish :nuts:
 
mmcp42 said:
yup that's the stuff! :thumbs:
Click to expand...

I saw that stuff in Homebase the other day and considered getting some. The only thing stopped me was it is clear perspex (unlike the white stuff that seems readily available in the states but not here). What do you put under the perspex for the all white reflective floor? Just paper or Vinyl etc? Without something white underneath I presume as it's clear it will show whatever carpet or floorboards is underneath.
 
my floor is white
so I just put it on that!
I guess you could paint one side and put that downwards??:shrug:
 
21/12 update

We have plaster, electrics & lights :clap:

We don't have any windows....

....and it's snowing :eek: :bonk: :bang: :gag: :suspect: :bat: :dummy:

A shot from the door towards the backdrop (yes they put the sockets in the wrong place
IMG_0724_600px.jpg


The runway!
IMG_0725_600px.jpg
 
Keep those runway lights switched off in this weather...you'll have all of them re-directed planes landing in your loft...;)
 
willbaroo said:
Keep those runway lights switched off in this weather...you'll have all of them re-directed planes landing in your loft...;)
Click to expand...

From what i've heard there aren't many planes taking off let alone landing again lol.

Looks good so when can us TP'ers invade your space so to speak :D
 
EdinburghGary said:
This is looking good! Looking forward to seeing how you get on with the lighting, it was a complete pain in the bumhole for me :D

Gary.
Click to expand...

Thanks Gary! I will be straight back on here with 101 lighting questions if the builders ever finish :nuts:
 
willbaroo said:
Keep those runway lights switched off in this weather...you'll have all of them re-directed planes landing in your loft...;)
Click to expand...

LOL, it is a bit over the top isn't it

kiteninja said:
From what i've heard there aren't many planes taking off let alone landing again lol.

Looks good so when can us TP'ers invade your space so to speak :D
Click to expand...

Ask my builders! Hopefully be finished (and lighting sorted) in February some time.
 
Very interesting thread, and great to see another home studio project develop. I am fortunate enough to have a wife who supports (mentally anyway) my togging and allowed me to convert our dining room in to a home studio - completely - not dual purpose!

After seeking advice both here and from another tog we eventually went for:

flat mat white walls
laminate floor
Manfroto Auto Poles

We have a large patio door at one end and have fitted blackout blinds (which work perfectly) as opposed to blocking off the glass completely, as has already been mentioned here, the mass of natural lightyou should get from your window is great for certain shots, and can easily be difussed if needed using material.

The all white walls has not been a problem, and while we were considering painting the floor white (having seen that in another studio), we decided that flexibility was the key so we use trains, reflectors or board depending on the shot. The Auto Poles allow me to move the lights and/or backdrop to suit to shot (portrait, product etc..).

The area is only about 11' x 8' so its not as big as yours but I mainly do product or creative element shots - not a lot of call for full body shots yet nd not really my thing TBH.

My coment.. keep it as flexible as possible. And good luck with your builders !!! Been there, done that :bang: :bang: :bat:
 
Well done for keeping at it.. id give my right knut to have a space to do this!!

Any thoughts yet as to how you are going to light it yet?
 
Boney Boy said:
- not dual purpose!
Click to expand...

You're a lucky man! We're keeping the room dual purpose mainly so I don't have to pay business tax and also because I'm doing a kick-ass 4th bday party in there.

Boney Boy said:
flat mat white walls
laminate floor
Manfroto Auto Poles
Click to expand...

Pretty much the same here, although having googled the autopoles I think I'll need something sturdier for toddlers

Boney Boy said:
the mass of natural lightyou should get from your window is great for certain shots, and can easily be difussed if needed using material.
Click to expand...

Good idea, will look into material for my window / natural softbox!

Boney Boy said:
The all white walls has not been a problem
Click to expand...
That's good to know! Mr Rudesing had started looking for 17% grey paint :thinking: We're sticking with white

Boney Boy said:
My coment.. keep it as flexible as possible. And good luck with your builders !!! Been there, done that :bang: :bang: :bat:
Click to expand...

Flexibility - definitely! We got windows in for Xmas so the builders are back in the good books again! Any chance of a photo of the set up you have???
 
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