Help Me Plan a Studio Room

[PixelRabbit]

We have a couple extra rooms here and I've decided to turn one into a small studio of sorts for taking shots w/o natural light. I'm just starting on my journey in off camera lighting techniques so I'm asking for a bit of help planning it out so I don't do something silly and have to redo major things down the line.

There is a corner in the room that is about 5ft wide by 5ft deep (think a small closet that was never closed in).

What would you say this corner is suitable for? I was thinking of putting a table in it and build a reflector frame to fit into the space.

I'm wondering if this is viable and if there is enough room, should I be leaving space between the frame and the wall or can it be built to fit?

Other thoughts?

Thanks in advance for helping me avoid some mistakes!

 

[KmH]

There is a corner in the room that is about 4ft wide by 4ft deep (think a small closet that was never closed in).

What would you say this corner is suitable for?

Small product photography.

 

[Designer]

Small product photography.

There you go!

Given the considerable difficulty in producing acceptable shots of small objects, this will give you plenty to do in a small space.

 

[PixelRabbit]

Thanks guys, I typoed in the OP, it is 5x5 but I'm sure that doesn't make a difference. I looked up some setups and see how it would work well It is definitely what I was thinking but wanted to make sure there wasn't a better use for the spot.

 

[TCampbell]

That's where the wine rack and mini-bar goes. ;-)

 

[KmH]

Or use it for storage of props, light stands, apple boxes, grip, etc.

 

[PixelRabbit]

Haha, another solid option Keith! I don't yet have the affliction of too many props/lights/ etc... and a need for somewhere to store them but I'm sure as time goes on it may tend to pile up lol.

 

[gsgary]

Changing room for glamour model

 

[PixelRabbit]

Ah the bedroom is right next door

 

[ClickAddict]

Not sure what setup you have for an office in the house, but 5X5 would be enough to put a small desk with computer to display shot ideas for your subjects so you dont have to go room to room.

 

[sm4him]

So, what are your plans for the REST of the room, and how big is the total space? If you have enough room in the main part of the space, then I'd tend to agree with KmH that using that as storage would be a good idea--because you WILL acquire stuff; light stands, props, fish tanks

I'm currently in the (exceedingly slow) process of converting my eldest son's bedroom into a "studio." It's too small to use for portrait photography, but I don't plan to do that anyway--for most of the stuff I do indoors, it'll work just fine.

I'd just try to think in terms of what you do NOW as well as what you plan to do in the future. If you plan to get into some indoor portrait stuff, then you might want to use that space differently than if you just plan to do all "product" photography--and I use that term loosely. I don't mean true product photography, but the kind of stuff like the oil & water and origami photos you've been doing lately.

If I had a space that size in MY "studio" I probably would use it for storage of all my props and materials.

 

[runnah]

A wading pool filled with chocolate pudding.

 

[PixelRabbit]

Not sure what setup you have for an office in the house, but 5X5 would be enough to put a small desk with computer to display shot ideas for your subjects so you dont have to go room to room.

Thanks ClickAddict, good thought, our desktop is elsewhere and I will likely be just using my laptop (it usually ends up on the floor somewhere nearby lol)

So, what are your plans for the REST of the room, and how big is the total space? If you have enough room in the main part of the space, then I'd tend to agree with KmH that using that as storage would be a good idea--because you WILL acquire stuff; light stands, props, fish tanks

I'm currently in the (exceedingly slow) process of converting my eldest son's bedroom into a "studio." It's too small to use for portrait photography, but I don't plan to do that anyway--for most of the stuff I do indoors, it'll work just fine.

I'd just try to think in terms of what you do NOW as well as what you plan to do in the future. If you plan to get into some indoor portrait stuff, then you might want to use that space differently than if you just plan to do all "product" photography--and I use that term loosely. I don't mean true product photography, but the kind of stuff like the oil & water and origami photos you've been doing lately.

If I had a space that size in MY "studio" I probably would use it for storage of all my props and materials.

Thanks Sharon! Great food for thought. I've been trying to think around this for a while and while I do have some inkling of eventually doing portraits this room is too tight for it I think. The rest of the room is about 8x10 without the 5x5 corner (I attached pictures below of looking in and out of the corner). I'm hoping to set it up for "product" and photography that I may want to do in the dark, this is the room with the least windows in it! If I do eventually get into portrait I can see setting up in one of the greenhouse rooms to take advantage of the gobs of natural light.

A wading pool filled with chocolate pudding.

ZOMG !!! Winner!! Chocolate pudding it is!
Thanks everyone else! lol



Looking out of and into the corner (couldn't get a good angle, it's a weird room)

 

[Big Mike]

I'd suggest turning that 'closet' into a well organized storage area for your photo/studio gear. Light stands, tripods, lights, umbrellas, softboxes, reflectors, cords, clamps, props, backdrops...and so on.

If you are shooting in the small room, you'll likely want every inch of space you can get, so it will help if you can tuck your gear away in the corner. Plus, if you are bringing people (kids) into the studio, you don't want a lot of clutter.

Setting up a (portrait) studio in a small room is very challenging, especially if you're shooting anything more than babies and head shots. It's a well discussed topic around here and on the net in general, so read what you can.

 

[PixelRabbit]

Hey Mike, thanks!
This room wouldn't be for portraits etc, the only person in there will be me. I have other locations in the house to set up for portraits with walls of windows for natural light. This room will be for smaller stuff, water drops, oil and water, product type shots. The thought of setting up a portrait studio is definitely under serious consideration but it will be elsewhere in the house.