The Evolution of the Studio - DPChallenge Forums

01/17/2008 01:35:40 AM · #1

So, a few here has seen my fledgling studio space from its infancy days, and I think more have seen as its grown..... I thought I'd share my latest iteration of the home studio.

For the last week or so, I have been revamping the studio from the floor up. I needed to cut down on visual clutter and make the space more versitile at the same time.

I organized storage to take less space, built a wall for the changing room, built a surround for the water heater (which was previously covered by drapery). I moved furniture in, robbing it from all over the house, and moved stupid amounts of STUFF.

Before I had storage (props, baby stuff, framing and matting materials, fabrics, costumes, stuff, stuff, stuff) of one sort or another on 3 of 4 walls. I moved all of it to one area, along one wall, which now surrounded by black felt drapes just vanishes. The new available spaces were opportunity.

The furniture pieces are all cool props, but now have a purpose when they're not being used as a cozy sitting area for clients. I added hanging lamps and accesories as if I were decorating a sitting room.

My white vinyl backdrop is being washed so tomrrow I'll have to rehang it. Then a bit more painting and I'll be able to take a break for a while.... yeah right!

After days of hard work, Taylor and her friends helped me prove the new sets work. Here are a few shots from tonight with a look at the "new" space...

This is across the room and what you first see when you enter the door. I can move any of these pieces as needed for a shot.

And around the room...

This:

Equals this:

This:

Equals this:

And the black felt covering the stroage area is awesome, it absolutely eats light! :)

fotomann_forever

01/17/2008 01:48:24 AM · #2

I'm really beginning to think she's taking performance enhancing drugs... SC!!!!

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D

01/17/2008 02:00:49 AM · #3

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:

I'm really beginning to think she's taking performance enhancing drugs... SC!!!!

My muscles ache so much any enhancing drugs would be a godsend.

Lessons learned:
Drywall is heavy. Very very heavy. Especially when working alone.
One shouldn't undertake construction alone at 2am.
That dust gets EVERYWHERE.
If you get an overstuffed-chair totally jammed in a doorway, someone will eventually come help you move it.

Edit typo

Message edited by author 2008-01-17 09:27:43.

fotomann_forever

01/17/2008 02:35:10 AM · #4

It all looks great Cindi. Really coming along.

You should really be careful with the drywall though. That stuff IS heavy.

taterbug

Nikon D300

01/17/2008 03:00:29 AM · #5

Looks awesome Cindi! Very inspiring. :-)
Where did you get the forest/trees backdrop?

Nikon NIKKOR Z 24-120 f/4 S

01/17/2008 09:26:55 AM · #6

Originally posted by taterbug:

Looks awesome Cindi! Very inspiring. :-)
Where did you get the forest/trees backdrop?

That one is from Denny Manufacturing - was one of their $99 specials. I use that one LOTS with kids, especially girls, but can work for boys too.

bassbone

Nikon Z8

01/17/2008 09:33:19 AM · #7

Thanks for sharing with us how the studio is progressing. I am trying to set up a studio area in my basement and your photos and descriptions have given me a lot of good ideas for working with the space I have...

smurfguy

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/17/2008 09:39:59 AM · #8

Very cool! Thanks for sharing!

What's up with the red lights - are they AB's? Where's your pink one(s)? =D

Message edited by author 2008-01-17 09:40:08.

01/17/2008 09:42:19 AM · #9

Originally posted by smurfguy:

Very cool! Thanks for sharing!

What's up with the red lights - are they AB's? Where's your pink one(s)? =D

They are hot pink (Martian Pink), not red. Its hard to light the lights! Yes, all 3 of my strobes are ABs and all 4 are hot pink. :)

smurfguy

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/17/2008 09:46:42 AM · #10

Originally posted by idnic:

They are hot pink (Martian Pink), not red. Its hard to light the lights!

Ahh, check. Well, maybe I'm feeling color blind this morning! =) Anyway, thanks again!

Prof_Fate

01/17/2008 10:05:53 AM · #11

Nice work!
Now can you come over and help me out? I'll do all the heavy lifting, I promise! :D

I need better/more tables/chairs/couches and props (I like your books and candles on the table). I don't have the time to go looking and I'm too cheap to spend the big money on this stuff when I could really use new bedroom furniture.

01/17/2008 10:20:53 AM · #12

Jeesh, Cindi. Why do you have to put us all to shame?

;)

01/17/2008 10:21:01 AM · #13

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

PA is a little out of the way..... ;)

Really, you don't need to spend a bunch for props & furniture. Most of my stuff was robbed from around the house for the studio. Some items came from yard sales / flea markets, and the big chair was a trade with a neighbor for something she wanted. The leather chair was $40 from an office furniture store going out of business. The chaise (sofa) is the only piece I bought new just for the studio. I watch clearance aisles at the major stores too. Often they will have discounted items that while I would never use them in the rest of my house, work great in the studio.

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

01/17/2008 10:21:48 AM · #14

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

Goodwill? Thrift shops? Books a Million?

Spork99

OM System OM-1

01/17/2008 10:29:00 AM · #15

Originally posted by idnic:

Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
Nice work!
Now can you come over and help me out? I'll do all the heavy lifting, I promise! :D

I need better/more tables/chairs/couches and props (I like your books and candles on the table). I don't have the time to go looking and I'm too cheap to spend the big money on this stuff when I could really use new bedroom furniture.

PA is a little out of the way..... ;)

Really, you don't need to spend a bunch for props & furniture. Most of my stuff was robbed from around the house for the studio. Some items came from yard sales / flea markets, and the big chair was a trade with a neighbor for something she wanted. The leather chair was $40 from an office furniture store going out of business. The chaise (sofa) is the only piece I bought new just for the studio. I watch clearance aisles at the major stores too. Often they will have discounted items that while I would never use them in the rest of my house, work great in the studio.

DAMHIKT, but consider yourself warned.

Be careful buying stuffed furniture at flea markets and garage sales.

What you get may give the term "Flea" Market literal meaning.

01/17/2008 10:37:06 AM · #16

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

DAMHIKT, but consider yourself warned.

Be careful buying stuffed furniture at flea markets and garage sales.

What you get may give the term "Flea" Market literal meaning.

My thoughts are about OTHER pests residing inside said furniture.

01/17/2008 10:38:35 AM · #17

Originally posted by Spazmo99:

DAMHIKT...

Damn I had to google that one... Don't Ask Me How I Know This

fotomann_forever

01/17/2008 02:32:24 PM · #18

Originally posted by _eug:

Originally posted by Spazmo99:
DAMHIKT...

Damn I had to google that one... Don't Ask Me How I Know This

I thought he had a major typo trying to type Damn!

Sooo, uhhh, Chris...

Sunshine86

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

01/17/2008 02:52:39 PM · #19

Great setup Cindi!
Are you AB's, 400,800, or 1600's?

Olympus 50mm f/1.8 MF Normal Zuiko

01/17/2008 03:11:04 PM · #20

Originally posted by Sunshine86:

Great setup Cindi!
Are you AB's, 400,800, or 1600's?

Thanks, Jamie. The one with the largest softbox on it is an AB800, the other 3 are 400s. :)

emorgan49

Olympus E-5

01/17/2008 03:20:38 PM · #21

I remember them, but not everyone has seen the BEGINNING of the evolution - How about posting a pciture in this thread of the garage in its early stages of growth?

01/17/2008 03:32:03 PM · #22

Wow, your question made me look and I found these images from 2 years ago. I believe these were shot the day I laid the floor. It was a celebration day for me because once the flooring I permenantly removed all non-studio storage & equipment. I was no longer sharing space with the lawn mower or a bicycle. Can't believe its only been 2 years since it looked that way, seems like forever ago.

Not long after these were taken I covered and upholstered the garage door and made it inoperable (and not so ugly).

hanneke

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/17/2008 03:35:02 PM · #23

that looks cool!

coming summer I'm gonna move my studio to the bedroom (bigger and higher) and the bedroom is going to the attic.

Actually, I cant wait...

Greetmir

Nikon D60

Sigma 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS for Nikon

01/17/2008 04:42:20 PM · #24

I am SOOOOOOOOOO jealous.

P.S. WOOT! ... LOVE the Canadian flag!