Hi to all

I am just asking the question, what is the minimum level thats to be expected from a studio? I understand that the standard of lights etc can vary massively but i am just after a general idea. i.e. 2 lights, 3 lights, backgrounds etc etc. Hopefuly you get the idea what i`m trying to ask.

The reason is I am finding that a lot of models prefer to work in studios rather than location (unless its just cos of the standard of pic i produce-not sure). I am thinking of hiring a studio at first to `test the water` but would like some insight.

Thanks

Roy

roynesbitt1973 , Photographer  posted on 06/06/2010 10:46:26   Posted 92 times

Located:warrington,Cheshire, UK
Member Since: 26/11/2009

Quoting post from roynesbitt1973
Hi to all

I am just asking the question, what is the minimum level thats to be expected from a studio? I understand that the standard of lights etc can vary massively but i am just after a general idea. i.e. 2 lights, 3 lights, backgrounds etc etc. Hopefuly you get the idea what i`m trying to ask.

The reason is I am finding that a lot of models prefer to work in studios rather than location (unless its just cos of the standard of pic i produce-not sure). I am thinking of hiring a studio at first to `test the water` but would like some insight.

Thanks

Roy

1)        Hire a studio, or, even better go on a studio workshop day and see how the gear is used.
2)        If going "Home studio", space, decor, power, other facilities are all important.
3)        What type of images ? If just blown white background and plain frontal lighting then 4 flash heads with appropriate modifiers ( 2-brolly reflectors ( std reflector ) & 2 softboxes ( or brollies ). As soon as going for more creative ( interesting ) lighting then the needs get added to.

If you have a local studio you can use, that can be the better option, says he who uses his own home studio !.

Thanks for the reply

I think i need to learn to walk before i can run so just basic set up for now and then progress from there. A workshop day could be a good idea...that would least give me some insight into it all

roynesbitt1973 , Photographer  posted on 06/06/2010 12:14:14   Posted 92 times

Located:warrington,Cheshire, UK
Member Since: 26/11/2009

I have 4 heads, six softboxes, beauty dish, two snoots, several reflectors, seamless paper rolls, 7 speedlights, many many brollies etc.

Mostly I shoot with one light, and one softbox 

ChrisRiccio , Photographer  posted on 06/06/2010 13:57:59   Posted 250 times

Located:Liskeard,Cornwall, UK
Member Since: 01/01/2010

Well at the moment i have a flashgun and thats it. I am looking at extending but i`m on a budget (the wife in other words) so was maybe looking at 1 maybe 2 flash units and also my flashgun. plus obviously brollies etc.

I thought this to start would be ok. Plus maybe look at getting 1 or 2 backdrops

roynesbitt1973 , Photographer  posted on 06/06/2010 14:04:58   Posted 92 times

Located:warrington,Cheshire, UK
Member Since: 26/11/2009

You are welcome to have a look at my studio / lighting - although it was set up for stock / illustrative / product photography rather than model / portraiture.

DaveE , Photographer  posted on 06/06/2010 14:19:46   Posted 23 times

Located:Warrington,Cheshire, UK
Member Since: 18/03/2010

That would be great thanks. Just let me know a few dates i could look.

Thanks again

roynesbitt1973 , Photographer  posted on 06/06/2010 14:31:32   Posted 92 times

Located:warrington,Cheshire, UK
Member Since: 26/11/2009

All my work is ONE light -  a Profoto 600 with a covered beauty dish against a white wall and white floor, to get grey I just move the model further forward. Simples!

No paper, no hair lights, no background lights, no reflectors, etc.  That said, for a different style I might include black polyboards and a reflector (for out and out beauty) and swap the BD for an octabox.

Actually I lie, there are a couple of really dark ones in my Net Port which has one light on the background...

danjpope , Photographer  posted on 10/06/2010 22:05:49   Posted 140 times

Located:London,London, UK
Member Since: 20/09/2009

Waiting to see what other folk suggest when answering a question like this usually produces widely different points of view, much of which is contradictory.

There are two sad truths; One that we all like to be different, the other that we all enjoy complicating things that appear too simple.

The advantage of a studio is that you don't need to wait for the weather to provide a good location day, you create your own. But it is worth remembering that what the studio does is replicate the real world outside where the sun is your single light source. Outside you learn to soften this by using shaded locations or bouncing light from light coloured walls or reflecting it from a sandy beach.

The best studio for a beginner has a single light with a choice of light modifiers (brollies, softbox etc) plus some large reflectors that need to be nothing more than large sheets of foam insulating board, white, light and reflective, and a plain background.

Later, much later when you have learned how to use these tools you might try lighting the background directly with a second light and possibly a coloured gel or perhaps this second light might have a snoot to provide some contre jour lighting to the hair. a shoulder or a limb.

Two further thoughts that occurs to me are that lots of lights,reflectors, and modifiers make it sound complicated and therefore shouts not for amateurs but also that it might impress the models (if they haven't been around the block yet).

Keep it simple and learn to use the kit you have. Spend money on knowledge/training not on gadgets.

Good Luck

'If you want reality look out of the window'
Nick Knight.

I love my studio and have just recently had it rebuilt... more space.
Space is what counts no matter how many lights you have or don't have.

I use one light and a reflector.

It's worth remembering the more equipment you have the more time it takes to set up and there is more to go wrong. Get the basics right before confusing yourself with unnecessary lights etc.,






Scott


Consistently Inconsistent

ScottChappell , Photographer  posted on 29/06/2010 21:01:04   Posted 151 times

Located:Poole,Dorset, UK
Member Since: 09/10/2008

Hi

It depends what effect you want to achieve in your Photo shoot.  You can use the lights outside to enhance the pictures and achieve a fashion or glamour style shoot.

It all depends on the clients needs.  If they only want cutouts, it is much easier to shoot in a studio.




Alaina Thornton

Alaina , Photographer  posted on 29/06/2010 21:14:02   Posted 41 times

Located:Dorset,Dorset, UK
Member Since: 20/03/2009