Home Studio Set-up (Large Images)

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

11/22/2005 10:30:37 AM · #1

Sorry to move the thread guys, but I thought others would be interested in a budget home studio design. (Cont'd from this thread.)

This was formerly my garage, and now my studio. I still want to add new flooring and I'm sure I will continue to move things around as needed, but here is what it looks like now.

I shoot in here LOTS, almost every day and it functions well.

sabphoto

Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+

11/22/2005 10:36:03 AM · #2

wonderful setup, I too wish someday to do this but my wife has converted the garage into her daycare room (had to add carpet, a heater/air conditioner and some insulation in the attic but it works well.

(so I'm getting the feeling your feet get cold out there? lol Carpets and shoes are all I can suggest, sorry)

theSaj

Canon EOS-20D

11/22/2005 10:36:11 AM · #3

Interesting, I was actually thinking of asking people to post some examples of their studios...

CEJ

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

11/22/2005 10:37:47 AM · #4

Cold floor! Good one...my favorite label.

Thanks for posting pics. I see now what/how I can use the space that would make sense. Just had to get some visual references. I like how you used the door rails. Since my door doesn't open, they are perfect for hanging cable between to use for hanging backdrops.

11/22/2005 10:37:50 AM · #5

Ohhhhhh you're all in my house, creepy! lol

RAJLEO

Nikon D70

11/22/2005 10:37:53 AM · #6

Thanks Cindi for sharing.

benhur

Canon EF 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 USM

11/22/2005 10:38:14 AM · #7

it is good to see what others use for their studios, mine is still the parents kitchen, mum goes mad if she wants to cook and I have got all my camera stuff set out.
Don't have a garage at the moment as we have run out of room from dad's 3 green houses and 2 garden sheds at the end of the garden, no room for me to make a studio yet.
I am thinking of moving out and renting my current bedroom from mum and dad as a studio.
thanks for this info and the added details as I am in the UK pricing should be about half to 2/3rds of the figures you have said.

CEJ

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

11/22/2005 10:39:52 AM · #8

No, we are in your 'studio.' Just think of us as potential clients checking up on you before we give you our business.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

11/22/2005 10:42:13 AM · #9

I got lucky and had to move about 18 months ago. I'd already started a basement studio at the old house so had a really good idea of what DOESN'T work. So when shopping for the new house, I made sure to find studio space, it was almost as important as big closets! lol

Yes, Sabphoto, I always wear shoes in there, even in summer that floor gets cold. I often find I need to lay on it to shoot, I make those shoots go FAST! Flooring is definitely next step.

Canon EOS-20D

11/22/2005 10:42:39 AM · #10

Thanks so much for posting this! I always love to see people's homemade studios. Now that I'm all grown up and have a house of my own, I have an extra room that I'm hoping to turn into a semi-permanent studio so it's nice to have ideas.

11/22/2005 10:43:46 AM · #11

Originally posted by Alienyst:

No, we are in your 'studio.' Just think of us as potential clients checking up on you before we give you our business.

Clients!?!?! Would you like some coffee? How about donuts? Please, let me get you a chair! :)

CEJ

Canon EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

11/22/2005 10:49:00 AM · #12

Got any apple fritters?

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

11/22/2005 10:58:40 AM · #13

Originally posted by Alienyst:

Got any apple fritters?

Starts cooking fast!!

A pro photog told me once to ALWAYS offer clients drinks, if you know what they like to drink have it ready, treat them like they're important and it'll pay off.

nova

Canon EOS-6D

Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM

11/22/2005 11:13:10 AM · #14

Great post Cindi, thanks for all the trouble you went to.

Just yesterday I ordered 3 AB's (1-800 & 2-400s... same as yours, right?). These are my first attempt at using studio lights, and my basement studio will be a work in progress. I have the impression from online reading that a high studio ceiling is better, but yours (at least the 'bulkhead' there) looks similar to mine at about 7.5 feet.... any problems with that?

Thanks again for the post, you're an inspiration!

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

11/22/2005 11:17:50 AM · #15

Coolio, a fog machine!
:-D

jenesis

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

11/22/2005 11:21:03 AM · #16

Question, What is airline cable and where do you get it?

Nice set-up, thanks for posting these. :-)

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

11/22/2005 11:22:42 AM · #17

Thanks, Nova. Yes, I have 1-800 and 2-400s just like you ordered. I do find the 800 is a bit tough to control in this sized space sometimes, but its doable. Definitely wouldn't recommend the 1600 unless you have an airline hanger.
Its true that a high celing helps, but I've really had no problem with mine (they're 8' except for the 6" bump down over the changing area.
More important than height, I think is length. You need your model atleast 5' away from backdrop most of the time to get a nice seperation and you (camera) will probably be another 5' from model.

Slippy, just got the fog machine at haloween, it was on sale. I've played with it lots, its fun! Used it for added smoke for this shot

Makka

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

11/22/2005 11:23:29 AM · #18

I guess all this shows me is how much I still have to go! Thanks for the pics. Was great to have a browse at your set up!

alfresco

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

11/22/2005 11:24:39 AM · #19

Cool setup Cindi - looks great!

I've begun to convert the old woodshop into a studio. Not being handy I'm left to my slow and plodding going, you have given me good ideas.

As to clients - everyone is a potential client. Treat them all like they are important and they'll appreciate and remember it. Customer service is job 1 - people want to feel imporant.

Sooooo -
I'll have one 'kraut-dog with extra onions please - time to annoy the cow-orkers :)

FYI -
this book as a starting point of schmoozing w/o schmoozing, a revised How to win friends and influence people

Sorry - enough thread hijacking. Great setup, you rock!!!!

11/22/2005 11:25:17 AM · #20

Originally posted by jenesis:

Question, What is airline cable and where do you get it?

Nice set-up, thanks for posting these. :-)

Its like metal clothes-line but larger (thicker) and you can get it from Home Depot CHEAP!!! I've spent $5 and got what I've used, plus about that much left over. You can also find little clamps at HD to make tidy little loops on each end of the cable, then just hang it over a hook in the wall. (Very nice gentleman at Home Depot explained it all to me and helped me find the bits).

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

11/22/2005 11:29:52 AM · #21

*distracts JP while adding jalepenos to his kraut-dog*

Yup, you'll annoy co-workers! :P

aKiwi

Canon EOS-7D

11/22/2005 11:32:51 AM · #22

Wow Cindi, that looks great! I'm turning green with envy as I need a room like that.
I am wanting to set up a studio, but we have a single garage that is needed for the car. I have an almost ideal room in the cellar which is about 7 m long and 5 m wide, but only 1.85 m high! Tall people can't even stand up straight in there. How do I fit a hair light in that then?
I like how you have done your paper rolls & cloth BG's.

Have you seen the similar thread onFred Miranda's site. Very good stuff.
I think seeing other peoples studios is a real encouragement to go ahead and do it.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

11/22/2005 11:45:46 AM · #23

i'd use my garage as well if it wasn't below freezing 7 months a year ;}

nice set up.