Need a Studio Table - DPChallenge Forums

08/17/2004 03:38:59 PM · #1

Hi everyone. Okay, I have about a 4 ft by 4 ft space in the corner of my room I want to use as a mini photo studio for still life.

I need to get a table and some clamp lamps. I'd like to store all my cameras and stuff under the table. I was looking at these at Ikea: //www.ikea-usa.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10101&storeId=12&productId=15231&langId=-1&parentCats=10110*10255

but maybe there's something better suited for what I need. I would like to put the table about 1 ft from the wall or so in order to do back lighting and stuff. I want to do things like: //www.dpchallenge.com/image.php?IMAGE_ID=20998 by the great Jacko.

Does anyone know where I can get a good, skinny table and some lighting that can clamp on? Does anyone have any better suggestions for me? I don't want to spend too much money, but i am open to ideas!!!

Thanks,
Arie

08/17/2004 05:55:03 PM · #2

Will no one help me?

joanns

Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro

08/17/2004 06:57:05 PM · #3

Might I recommend a table with a glass or acrylic top - you can always cover it with something but you would also have the versatility to light your composition from underneath. Ikea has a lot of them.
I like this one because you an also flip it over and use the woven bottom as an interesting suface or imagine the lighting that would come through the weaves.

I hope you find the perfect table!

08/17/2004 07:01:38 PM · #4

Real quick I noticed that the table you show only has a depth of 16 7/8". I would try and get one a little deeper if at all possible. Or Maybe consider a flat board to lay over the top of it. It may be hard to try and set up for some shots with such a narrow table.

I will chack back with your thread again later when I have more time :)

08/17/2004 07:13:34 PM · #5

I like the table you showed me, but I do want something deeper. If I do have glass, it'd be nice to have more of it, for more light to show through. I like the idea of a glass table. I hope clamp lights wouldn't hurt it though. I will start looking for glass tables. I think something 48" by 20" would be perfect!!! Anyone know any places online or in LA county to get something like this? I'd also love it if it could be very versitile... like i could do my jewelry work (beading) on it too! Push my chair under it to work on things... I have such a small space to do things, that it would rock if I could find a glass table that I could put a wood or vinyl covering over for other crafts...

08/18/2004 12:52:45 PM · #6

RHoldenSR, Did you have any other suggestions for me? I am going out tomorrow to look for a table. I checked Ikea, didn't see what I needed. I am not sure where else to check really. I think I need an arts/crafts table, but Michael's doesn't sell anything like that. I am going to try Home Depot, Target and not sure where else. I would appreciate any suggestions, even online. I refuse to spend $400 at an antique store, just because that's all there is in the area. There's gotta be a better way :)

Arie

Brent_Ward

Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM

08/18/2004 02:09:37 PM · #7

try Calumet photo

08/18/2004 02:23:33 PM · #8

I have looked there, at Calumet. The mini-shooting table kicks butt, but it's $400+. I am thinking I need to stay around $150 for the table and $50 for the light/clamps. This table looks really simple too. I would love to find a make shift craft table just like it. Are there any creative people in LA on DPC that would build one for me?

08/18/2004 02:37:00 PM · #9

I was going to mention that in my garage to conserve space I use a flat board and lay it on top of an old dresser we have in the garage. The board measures 51" L x 30" D. When I am done I just stand the board back up against the wall and put everything away. You could try something like this if you have a dresser or etc. You could lay a piece of fabric over the dresser to keep it from getting scratched.

I like the height of the dresser/board combination because I am so tall and I do not have to keep bending over to a low table. This is great when I am doing a shot that takes a long time and numerous shots. I worked on quite a few that took 400-500 shots or more.

I also made a small light tent or light box so to speak out of PVC pipe annd I just drape a white sheet over it to get better lighting for small objects. I plan on making some larger light boxes for when I do various other shots.

I have both the clamp on lights and the weighted desk lamps with flexible necks that you can see in the pics below. I like the weighted lamps better. The clamp on lamps do come in handy for some shots and for fill in when I need it.

Here are a couple snaps of the light box and table I use.

I did this shot on the dresser/board combination and used the home made light tent.

In this shoot I took something like 600 shots before I got the one I really liked.

If you have any questions or need anything else just send me a PM or email and I will get back to you as soon as I can. This is a busy week for me with our 30th wedding anniversary party coming up Saturday :) I only get to look at DPC when I have a spare minute or checking my email.

Originally posted by mirdonamy:

08/18/2004 02:41:21 PM · #10

I forgot to mention the background. I use the rolls of photographic paper background. I hung a pipe from the ceiling and just pull the roll down for what I need. I can just unhook the support on either end and switch out the various colored backgrounds. This may not be feasible in the space you have but you can work something simple out I am sure.

Message edited by author 2004-08-18 14:41:36.

08/18/2004 06:29:07 PM · #11

Your set up is perfect! I want to know more about your pipe & photo paper roll, how it works, what I need and where to get the supplies. I have an entire 4 ft wall to myself that i can hang whatever I want back there! It's my "corner" in the shared office I have with my husband and his computer stuff. That 4x5 space is mine all mine! I really love the pvc pipe and white paper you have for the car. Is the blue paper the one you have from the ceiling? How do you switch it out? I have some velvet fabric in white, black, grey & silver that I have on hooks that go on a curtain rod that i was going to use, but this looks cool too.

Happy Anniversary. We'll talk soon!!!