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04/10/2005 08:07:13 PM · #1 |
| I have been working on my upstairs, for a studio and was worndering what kind of paint I should use. I will start with white, but do I do flat, gloss or semi gloss. Any ideals? |
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04/10/2005 08:13:28 PM · #2 |
Given the opportunity, I would use a gray flat finish paint. White gloss would be very reflective and may interfere with studio lighting. Some may even prefer flat black walls to eliminate any reflections.
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04/10/2005 08:21:31 PM · #3 |
| Well later I plan to use back drops, just wanted something to brigthen the room, but for now will be shooting with white. I think the gloss is a no no though. |
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04/10/2005 08:29:59 PM · #4 |
| I haven't tried it, but I remember awhile back that someone (Prof_Fate I think) posted a suggestion to take your gray card to the paint store and have them color-match it. I would use flat paint, also. Seemed like a good idea to me. |
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04/10/2005 09:41:00 PM · #5 |
It may depend on the kind of photos you want to take. I've got a room painted brown with north-facing windows that works wonders for certain kinds of still life photos. If you take photos that depend on strong shadows, dark walls will help. But in most situations, I think that the more light that's available the better. I'd choose white. And flat: you want the light to scatter, not bounce specularly as it would off a mirror.
You can darken the room or large sections of it with fabric backdrops. And few fabrics are as white as really white paint.
As you probably know, using available light sets one up for strange color shifts. If it is light from the sky on a clear day, it is very blue. And if it is light from the sun it has a warm yellow cast. If you want total control, you might just shut up all the window shades and use artificial lights. Again, unless you are trying to get strong shadows, you will probably be happier with white walls, since you will need less lighting.
Finally, if you are using lighting diagrams and setups designed by other photographers in an effort to get the same look, a small room with white walls may not produce that look. Shadows will probably be less strong. In this case, darker walls can help. This would be a compelling argument for 13% reflective gray, or perhaps something darker.
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04/11/2005 06:05:21 AM · #6 |
I'd personally go with black.
You can always add a bit more light if you're getting into studio lighting, it's very difficult to add a shadow, or increase lighting contrast ratios if you're fighting the light bouncing all around your studio space.
If you want a 'big white wall' get a simple wooden frame and stretch a large white sheet (as in bed sheet) over it. Or some sheets of foam insulation.
Just my two bits worth.. :-)
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