Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic - Want to use spare room as a studio questions

rixie · Joined: 29 Dec 2007 Posts: 3433 Location: Hampshire, UK

We have a small room in our house that, like many, is full of junk. I'm considering emptying it and using it as a studio of sorts but I'm not sure if it is a practical idea.
The room is small - about 10ft x 8ft - and I'm not really sure if this is a usable space for the sort of set up I'm after.

I would like to set up a rail on one wall, where I could hang different backdrops, and I would like to get some sort of lighting set up. The aim would be to set up stock shots, still lives, etc. on some sort of portable table, and also have an area where I could take a few portraits of family/friends/pets, etc.

I'm not wanting anything too fancy but don't know if this is even a viable idea. Having never used any kind of studio lighting, would everything just be overkill in such a small space?

hhltdave5 · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 6:55 am

My studio is a bedroom in my house that is 10 X 10. I have my props stored in a closet and in two shelving units on two of my walls. I also have my product table as well as room for my studio strobes. I cannot do full body shots in it but I do all my food, product and head shots in it.

rixie · Joined: 29 Dec 2007 Posts: 3433 Location: Hampshire, UK

Thanks for your input Dave, I was worried that I was getting excited by a totally impractical idea! I'll start researching lighting set ups for a small space.

kaycee · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 7:14 am

I have also a spare room turned into a little studio...
3,6mx 2,7m for table top and head shot it's perfect.
The build in closet in the room were I store the equipment can also be used as background.
I have a big table top for product photography in the room.
Works fine for me.

rixie · Joined: 29 Dec 2007 Posts: 3433 Location: Hampshire, UK

Thanks Kaycee, I was worried that the space would be too small for any kind of lighting set up and that I would be rendered blind every time I took a shot!

To date, I have only used natural light or a speedlite with the odd reflector. I want to purchase a couple of small soft boxes maybe, so that I can set up when I want without having to rely on time of day or weather conditions.

ruxpriencdiam · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 7:40 am

I use a small like 10x12 room for what i do and it only has a west facing window so for light i use the ceiling fan with 3 100 watt CFL daylight bulbs and use the small round reflector lamps with the same bulbs and a speed light and it works pretty good and as Dave said no people shots in there.

kaycee · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 8:14 am

I use 3x 150w strobes (2 soft boxes en one hairlight or reflector or beautidish) (falcon eyes) I know not the best quality but up till now works just fine.
But I use also for background light some manual flashes.

rixie · Joined: 29 Dec 2007 Posts: 3433 Location: Hampshire, UK

Thanks Barry and Kaycee, our local camera shop is having quite a big exhibition at a local hotel next week. I'm going to go and take a look at all the lighting equipment but wanted to have an idea in mind as to what I need.

rinder99 · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:01 pm

PM me before you buy anything or talk to me in Monument valley.

rixie · Joined: 29 Dec 2007 Posts: 3433 Location: Hampshire, UK

Thanks Laurin, not rushing to buy anything for a few weeks yet - just starting a bit of research. It's going to take a couple of weekends to sort all the junk!

blinztree · Posted: Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:21 pm

kaycee · Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 7:45 am

blinztree · Posted: Sat Mar 31, 2012 11:00 pm

Why don't you buy Bobby's Elinchrom? He's putting a pair of 1,000w up for sale. I would have bought it but my side of the world is 240V and his is 120V.

rixie · Joined: 29 Dec 2007 Posts: 3433 Location: Hampshire, UK

kaycee · Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2012 5:48 am