Studio anywhere

Nwcid · Mar 27, 2019

As I have been growing in my photography I have begun to do more practicing with back drops and lighting.

I had to take over some of my shop space to make this happen, but proves anywhere can be a studio.

smoke665 · Mar 27, 2019

I can relate to shared space. My studio space doubles as a garage for two vehicles. When I set up one or both get evicted for the duration. I've been working toward streamling things. Just completed a built in storage area for equipment (lights, reflectors, modifiers, stands, etc.) Currently working on a storage rack for rolled backdrops and floor mats. Next up is a hanging rail system for lights, backdrops, etc. The ultimate goal is to be able to back a vehicle out, be set up in 30 mins and be able to get everything back in 30 mins.

Nwcid · Mar 27, 2019

smoke665 said:
I can relate to shared space. My studio space doubles as a garage for two vehicles. When I set up one or both get evicted for the duration. I've been working toward streamling things. Just completed a built in storage area for equipment (lights, reflectors, modifiers, stands, etc.) Currently working on a storage rack for rolled backdrops and floor mats. Next up is a hanging rail system for lights, backdrops, etc. The ultimate goal is to be able to back a vehicle out, be set up in 30 mins and be able to get everything back in 30 mins.

I have been working on setting up a new battery bank and inverter in my RV so my shop was a disaster. It took me about an hour to set up for this shoot. My shot was intentionally built with a small roll up door so I would not put a car in. Only my ATV's, Motorcycles, etc.

I have seen good roller systems for paper. Have you found a good roller system for canvas? That is my big hang up right now. I have 3 -10'x20' canvases and not having to unfold and get the wrinkles out would be nice.

smoke665 · Mar 28, 2019

Nwcid said:
smoke665 said:

I can relate to shared space. My studio space doubles as a garage for two vehicles. When I set up one or both get evicted for the duration. I've been working toward streamling things. Just completed a built in storage area for equipment (lights, reflectors, modifiers, stands, etc.) Currently working on a storage rack for rolled backdrops and floor mats. Next up is a hanging rail system for lights, backdrops, etc. The ultimate goal is to be able to back a vehicle out, be set up in 30 mins and be able to get everything back in 30 mins.

Click to expand...

I have been working on setting up a new battery bank and inverter in my RV so my shop was a disaster. It took me about an hour to set up for this shoot. My shot was intentionally built with a small roll up door so I would not put a car in. Only my ATV's, Motorcycles, etc.

I have seen good roller systems for paper. Have you found a good roller system for canvas? That is my big hang up right now. I have 3 -10'x20' canvases and not having to unfold and get the wrinkles out would be nice.

Sadly my 30x40 free standing shop is stuffed to the gills. One side holds a tractor, atvs, lawnmower, welders, generator....,and the other woodworking equipment and tables. Ive thought seriously that it might be time to clean it out, but I still enjoy/do a lot of my vehicle maintenance, metal working, and woodworking.

I've even thought at times about one of those free standing prefab buildings that could be finished out inside as a studio, but the garage is in a walk out basement, that's heated and cooled. When we built the house we went with 10' high walls and larger doors to provide clearance for our dually. The remainder of the basement is finished with a media room, bathroom, kichen/ bar/dining area. So basically everything I need.

There's several manufactures of rack systems out there, but it can get pricey. With the tools and skills I have, I'm looking at hanging two Unistruts https://www.lowes.com/pd/Superstrut...ld-Galvanized-Half-Slot-Channel-Strut/3128119 one on each side of a bay, just low enough to clear the HVAC. Then hang a couple of traveling rails below that using these https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Unis...ocphy=9012738&hvtargid=pla-350917843348&psc=1 they will be universal for hanging lights, reflectors, what ever I need. Lights will be on adjustable arms that fold down when needed and back up When I'm done.

On backgrounds I've started rolling my backgrounds on 1-1/2" pvc. Once rolled they will go in 3-1/2" pvc pipe with caps on each end and stored vertically in a rack on the wall. For hanging I'll use a 3/4" steel conduit suspended from the tracks. I have a compression chuck in mind that will hold the roll from turning, and facilitate rolling it back up.

Designer · Mar 28, 2019

For some reason I am reminded of something our family photographer did some years ago: He built an agricultural-style building out in the country, and set it up as a really large photographic studio. He had enough room to leave several sets all set up around the really large room. He also had a reception area and restroom. Unfortunately, he is no longer in business, and has sold the property.

It was nice, though.

My thought about canvas storage is this; make your rollers of sufficient stiffness that they hold the weight without sagging.

The main problem I see is the relatively low ceiling. My garage ceiling is at 9 feet, which I assume yours is as well. That is just not tall enough, IMO.

Dean_Gretsch · Mar 28, 2019

I like the expression in your second photo. Very sassy.

smoke665 · Mar 28, 2019

Designer said:
The main problem I see is the relatively low ceiling. My garage ceiling is at 9 feet, which I assume yours is as well. That is just not tall enough, IMO.

I noticed the octabox against the ceiling. Not sure if that was where it was used, but if it was, it's higher then needed. In the first image of the young lady, the highlights were all the way into the upper eyelids.

tirediron · Mar 28, 2019

Nicely done; I think your actual light placement might benefit from a little fine tuning, but you've got some good stuff happening there!

adamhiram · Mar 28, 2019

Nwcid said:
Have you found a good roller system for canvas?

I have a canvas backdrop permanently mounted on a steel pipe so it is essentially used and stored like rolls of seamless. Mine came pre-mounted, but it looks to be 2" diameter aluminum or steel pipe, like you would use for a chain link fence, held on with a long strip of tape on both sides - like gaffer tape but sticker (Gorilla Tape?).

Derrel · Mar 28, 2019

Bogen (now marketed as Manfrotto) makes the AUTO-Pole and background paper cores ( aluminum) and multi-roll backgound hook hangers of steel. A great system for setting up a temporary shooting area without drilling holes in ANYthing!

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Nwcid · Mar 28, 2019

Dean_Gretsch said:
I like the expression in your second photo. Very sassy.

That was one of the last images from our shoot. She was getting pretty comfortable at that point.

I told her to give me her best "smirk".

Nwcid · Mar 28, 2019

tirediron said:
Nicely done; I think your actual light placement might benefit from a little fine tuning, but you've got some good stuff happening there!

Lighting and posing is what I have been practicing. I have done a couple of lessons with a semi-local photographer and have a couple more scheduled.

Nwcid · Mar 28, 2019

My celling is just under 9.5' high.

Right now I have track up each side of the wall in the narrow part with a rail that runs between the two that is 14' wide. I can hang and clamp my canvas to it. Before this image was taken I did have the canvas rolled up on a 3" PVC pipe. The canvas was attached with gaffers tape, but it came loose about 1/2 way though the shoot. I could have used a different attachment method.

I need to relocate where I am mounting the canvas also. While I was able to get the horizontal shot, it is very tight with only a 10' wide background. I had to be in just the right spot so I did not over shoot the background. I would like to be able to mount them horizontally also.

I saw some studio systems that were using 1.5" galvanized plumbing pipe and mounting it to the walls or celling. I could mount a rail just over 20' long from my celling that would be about 8-8.5' high. This would give me width and still have over 1' of canvas to softly curve under my flooring. The down side is that it would pretty much negate using rollers. Any thoughts?

At some point I will be getting some seamless and will probably just buy one of the inexpensive 3 roller systems for it.

smoke665 · Mar 28, 2019

Nwcid said:
and mounting it to the walls or celling. I could mount a rail just over 20' long from my celling that would be about 8-8.5' high. This would give me width

Just a thought, but I've seen some pretty neat rolling backdrops some made with sheet rock on a wood frame and others using 1/4 sanded plywood. The plywood might be lighter. Here's a quick video not the best of the designs I've seen - a little on the bulky side. Building Your Own Photo Backdrop Wall Advantage is you can paint it, wall paper it, stucco it....... almost endless list.