Studio Paint Color?? - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

02/10/2007 11:40:55 AM · #1

I am in the process of building a studio, but I have not been able to find any information on paint color (I searched threads here and other sites). It will have a 10' high white ceiling and white oak flooring.
I'd like feedback on wall color, and I am considering white, 18% gray, or black. I am assuming flat paint will help keep light from bouncing around.

The studio is an odd shape, but big enough. It will be 20' x 25' with the corners cut off at 45 degree angles. Here are images of the whole layout (sharing space with my wife's coffee shop) and one of just the studio with a sample set up:

Tahnks for your help!!

here is a pano of the framing so far:

JD Anderson

ralph

Nikon Z9

02/10/2007 11:51:04 AM · #2

don't use black - very closed in & depressing

try white (& black curtains ) to min. some reflections

or grey N7 / N8 paint for true 18%

Baron152

Canon EOS-40D

02/10/2007 11:56:40 AM · #3

Lucky dog,

I'd go with the gray with maybe some color higlights (moulding, photos etc) to keeping it from being too drab.

nomad469

Nikon D700

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED

02/10/2007 11:57:42 AM · #4

Hi ... I just debated this a couple of weeks ago.
The camera room is being painted next weekend...

We went with a 18% with black ceilings...
I am slightly anal about light control and I felt that this would not give the tomb effect of all black. And actually I think that it will give a cool look ...

what is the sq ft that you are working with ???

Message edited by author 2007-02-10 11:58:44.

nomad469

Nikon D700

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8D ED

02/10/2007 12:00:25 PM · #5

Also what did you use to do the lighting diagram

02/10/2007 12:19:19 PM · #6

Originally posted by nomad469:

The square footage is just about 500 sq ft. The layout below has a grid with each square of 1 sq ft.
The whole shop layout has been tweaked slightly. The image with the lighting setup shows the exact measurments and wall placement of the studio.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

02/10/2007 12:21:30 PM · #7

Originally posted by nomad469:

Also what did you use to do the lighting diagram

The lighting setup is done in Photoshop (from a file another member at fredmiranda.com created).
PM me if you would like the file and I will send it to you. It has different layers with different equipment to choose from. It is a really neat little tool. You can create a binder of your lighting set ups with a printout of the actual setup, along with an image using that setup.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

02/10/2007 01:15:21 PM · #8

I painted my studio white - not just for the extra light bounce, but so it looks clean & crisp to my clients. Gray tends to look a little depressing.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

02/10/2007 01:24:46 PM · #9

As long as the color is fairly neutral, I don't think it matters too much. Personally, I think black, or even 18% gray would create a depressing mood. Bright white is kind of sterile. I'd stick with an ivory white.

If you're worried about the wall color shifting the color temp of your lights, as long as you stay away from intense colors and don't use the walls to bounce, I don't think you'll have any problems.

Another thing I have seen and used, is to make some movable, 4x8 "wall" sections that can be painted and repainted any color you wish. I made some for a studio I worked in, and basically I just framed a few 4x8 sections using 2x4s and covering one side with 1/4" hardboard. Then take some 3' pieces of 2x4 and attach them to the side at the bottom so it will stand. Casters are nice too, so they can just be rolled around as needed. You can paint the hardboard any color you wish. It's also easy to cover the back side and paint it a different color, or use pegboard and then hang gear from it.

Flat paint will help with glare, but the reflectivity of the wall will be mostly determined by the color you choose.

You don't say what kind of shooting you plan to do, but why only 10ft ceilings? You might find that somewhat limiting for certain things.