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05/20/2008 11:26:23 AM · #1 |
We're looking at moving to a new location for our studio.
Question for you all is... What would you do with a 20'x60' unfinished space?
Some things on my list anyway. Bathroom, changing room, Backroom for storage (and a fridge/microwave... must have goodies)
Work areas for Editing, one wall for the virtual background system, one wall painted bright white for a projection screen, lots of electrical lines dropped from the ceiling so we can move flash units around without stringing extension cords around. And a motorized backdrop system... (main one being a 15x30 white vinyl that can be used as a room divider as well. And a seating area/waiting room.. Oi so many things (Build out includes everything from plumbing to AC and even where the backdoor goes) |
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05/20/2008 12:00:47 PM · #2 |
| Well, without knowing more about your business, what kind of work you do, the clients you work for, how often they're on-site, what you shoot and so on, it's hard to say. |
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05/20/2008 12:57:51 PM · #3 |
If you're going to be shooting little kids, then you might want a sturdy cage built into one corner.
Seriously, one thing that any studio can use is lots of storage cabinets. Personally, I would like some flat file cabinets to manage things like large foam core sheets and other paper goods.
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05/20/2008 01:34:59 PM · #4 |
| One thing I was going to suggest and since you're going to paint a wall white anyways, is to turn that wall into a cyclorama wall (white seamless wall/floor) for your main shooting area. Here's a nice article on how to build it, and be sure to check the cross section drawing link for a diagram. I used to work for a commercial photgrapher way back and he had a HUGE studio with 2 of these walls going into a corner, all seamless. The added benefit with this is if it gets dirty, just paint it with a long roller. You can also hang your motorized backdrops up at the top of it. Good luck and have fun! |
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05/20/2008 01:55:19 PM · #5 |
| that is not a lot of space when you add a bathroom to it (which i think is required by law?????) and your studio. Space gets eaten really quickly. you should get a diagram drawn to scale, then make little rooms that you can add to scale on it too. Empty spaces always look so much bigger. |
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05/20/2008 03:29:27 PM · #6 |
First find out hte rules - often the bathroom and hallways, etc must be handicapped accessible and that dictates size of doors, room to spin a wheel chair in the bathroom, etc.
1200sf isn't a lot. I'd consider a long, double ended shooting space, lights on wheels. Drop cords from the ceiling are a two edged sword - they'll hand right where you need to shoot and if hte ceiling is high enough for shooting then you can't reach it, etc. The solution is a rail system for the lights. keeps the floor completely clear.
I'd say 15x40 for the shooting space should work for most anything you need to do, double ended (one end being high key built in)
You need a waiting / reception area with display prints. It need not be large and can hold a desk to work out (edit) if needbe. You'll need a sales room - living room or conference room style is up to you, with shelving/walls for samples of everything you sell "This is a 5x7. This is a 10x10 album. This is a save the date card." etc. this is where you can project. you'll need a computer for that, so this can be a work station too if need be- depends on how busy you are. Screens are NOT white, they are a shade of grey/silver, "silver screen" ring a bell? It helps with the contrast.
You'll need a changing room for folks, and a baby changing table if you plan to shoot a lot of little kids and maybe even a play area. The bathroom may be able to double as a changing room.
YOu'll want an office for the boss - to privately meet with special clients, beat up bad employees, make confidential phone calls, etc, as well as keep teh office paper work (employee files, etc)
YOu'll need a working area for assembling orders, framing, etc.
You'll need an area for office supplies, a copier, etc.
And of course, editing computers (preferrably no windows, 18% gray walls, carefully lit) and perhaps a place for printers or matt cutters, etc.
Good luck getting it all to fit and not look like 5 pounds of crap in a 3 pound hole.
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05/21/2008 03:17:27 AM · #7 |
Originally posted by Telehubbie:
One thing I was going to suggest and since you're going to paint a wall white anyways, is to turn that wall into a cyclorama wall (white seamless wall/floor) for your main shooting area. Here's a nice article on how to build it, and be sure to check the cross section drawing link for a diagram. I used to work for a commercial photgrapher way back and he had a HUGE studio with 2 of these walls going into a corner, all seamless. The added benefit with this is if it gets dirty, just paint it with a long roller. You can also hang your motorized backdrops up at the top of it. Good luck and have fun! |
I based my cyc off those plans, ended up using drywall instead of plywood for the curve so it's not as durable but it works fine as long as no one tries to run up the thing.
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05/21/2008 03:23:23 AM · #8 |
If I had 1200 Square Feet I would like start like a photo book of square feet, like 1200 pages of square feet cause I think that is really rare cause normally feet are like well feet shaped, so it would be an awesome photo book and you could like even sell it and stuff. Just my thoughts on that.
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05/21/2008 03:27:38 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by chesire:
We're looking at moving to a new location for our studio.
Question for you all is... What would you do with a 20'x60' unfinished space?
Some things on my list anyway. Bathroom, changing room, Backroom for storage (and a fridge/microwave... must have goodies)
Work areas for Editing, one wall for the virtual background system, one wall painted bright white for a projection screen, lots of electrical lines dropped from the ceiling so we can move flash units around without stringing extension cords around. And a motorized backdrop system... (main one being a 15x30 white vinyl that can be used as a room divider as well. And a seating area/waiting room.. Oi so many things (Build out includes everything from plumbing to AC and even where the backdoor goes) |
Sounds like you have most of the basics of what you need, just need to figure out a clean way of keeping your layout open and accessible.
I don't know about painting walls different colors because shooting space vanishes quick when you're trying to create multiple shooting areas. You might be better off limiting it to just 1 shooting area and changing backgrounds. We split our studio into 2 shooting areas, and even with 1700 sq ft we've felt squeezed for space.
Regarding storage, again you want to keep things accessible. Don't tuck it into a corner or behind something for the sake of keeping things out of sight. Make sure it's easy and close to get to while working. We loaded up on rolling carts and shelves to keep things more on the mobile side.
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05/21/2008 12:56:05 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by virtuamike:
I based my cyc off those plans, ended up using drywall instead of plywood for the curve so it's not as durable but it works fine as long as no one tries to run up the thing. |
That's a nice looking wall Mike. Just out of curiosity, what can you do with a cyclorama wall that you couldn't do with a roll of seamless paper? It seems to me that paper would be a less expensive and more versatile option for the same effect. It comes in a multitude of colors and sizes, and switching colors is quick and easy. And, if you need to clear the space for something else, you can just roll it up out of the way. What's the benefit of a cyclorama wall that I'm missing?
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05/21/2008 01:53:26 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by Mick:
Originally posted by virtuamike:
I based my cyc off those plans, ended up using drywall instead of plywood for the curve so it's not as durable but it works fine as long as no one tries to run up the thing. |
That's a nice looking wall Mike. Just out of curiosity, what can you do with a cyclorama wall that you couldn't do with a roll of seamless paper? It seems to me that paper would be a less expensive and more versatile option for the same effect. It comes in a multitude of colors and sizes, and switching colors is quick and easy. And, if you need to clear the space for something else, you can just roll it up out of the way. What's the benefit of a cyclorama wall that I'm missing? |
Smoothness for one. No matter how careful I am with my paper, I've never been able to get it anywhere near as smooth and flawless as my cyc. Size is another. My cyc is 16' across. They make 12' rolls but they're significantly more expensive than the regular 9' rolls. Plus it's flat out easier to work on =)
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05/21/2008 01:55:49 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by Mick:
Originally posted by virtuamike:
I based my cyc off those plans, ended up using drywall instead of plywood for the curve so it's not as durable but it works fine as long as no one tries to run up the thing. |
That's a nice looking wall Mike. Just out of curiosity, what can you do with a cyclorama wall that you couldn't do with a roll of seamless paper? It seems to me that paper would be a less expensive and more versatile option for the same effect. It comes in a multitude of colors and sizes, and switching colors is quick and easy. And, if you need to clear the space for something else, you can just roll it up out of the way. What's the benefit of a cyclorama wall that I'm missing? |
A gallon of paint, mixed to whatever shade you want is cheaper and easier to get than a 12' roll of seamless and comes in more colors. You can paint it anyway you want too.
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05/21/2008 02:03:10 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
Originally posted by Mick:
Originally posted by virtuamike:
I based my cyc off those plans, ended up using drywall instead of plywood for the curve so it's not as durable but it works fine as long as no one tries to run up the thing. |
That's a nice looking wall Mike. Just out of curiosity, what can you do with a cyclorama wall that you couldn't do with a roll of seamless paper? It seems to me that paper would be a less expensive and more versatile option for the same effect. It comes in a multitude of colors and sizes, and switching colors is quick and easy. And, if you need to clear the space for something else, you can just roll it up out of the way. What's the benefit of a cyclorama wall that I'm missing? |
A gallon of paint, mixed to whatever shade you want is cheaper and easier to get than a 12' roll of seamless and comes in more colors. You can paint it anyway you want too. |
Unfortunately for my cyc, it takes about 4 gallons through the spray gun to paint it. Paint is still cheaper than a 12' roll though.
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05/21/2008 02:23:18 PM · #14 |
Just so you all know. I'm reading, scribbling, drawing, trashing, re-drawing, re-thinking and turning greyer with every post :)
Please keep the ideas coming.
The rail system for lights I think I would really like, but I've never seen one. Any linkys?
We've pretty well decided to NOT put in a dropped ceiling, so the roof will be anywhere from 15-25 feet, probably powder coated in 18% grey. |
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05/21/2008 05:05:46 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by chesire:
Just so you all know. I'm reading, scribbling, drawing, trashing, re-drawing, re-thinking and turning greyer with every post :)
Please keep the ideas coming.
The rail system for lights I think I would really like, but I've never seen one. Any linkys?
We've pretty well decided to NOT put in a dropped ceiling, so the roof will be anywhere from 15-25 feet, probably powder coated in 18% grey. |
Agreed, get rid of the dropped ceiling =)
Rail systems are nice if you have the ceiling height for them and do a lot of overhead lighting. A fixed grid rather than a flying grid would probably be cheaper and simpler to work with for a small studio. If you have the height, trombones (just a pole that slides up and down) are a sturdier way of adjusting your lights. If not, then accordions require less space (though they can be a little finicky depending on tension and weight).
Though it might be simpler to just buy a few stands ;)
Message edited by author 2008-05-21 19:52:24.
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05/21/2008 07:28:47 PM · #16 |
Originally posted by chesire:
Just so you all know. I'm reading, scribbling, drawing, trashing, re-drawing, re-thinking and turning greyer with every post :)
Please keep the ideas coming.
The rail system for lights I think I would really like, but I've never seen one. Any linkys?
We've pretty well decided to NOT put in a dropped ceiling, so the roof will be anywhere from 15-25 feet, probably powder coated in 18% grey. |
rail system
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