Setting up a studio 101

If you're just starting out or starting over, setting up a studio can be fun and quite simple. If you're shooting stills it doesn't take much to set up an area to take photos. One can start off with just a few things and as you master your craft, buy equipment as needed. When I first started out, I didn't want to be like every photographer and besides I didn't want to spend a lot of money. For me photography was a hobby. I had no idea I'd make money at it. But it would be the non conventional usage of items that would become my trademark if you will. My backdrops pulled double duty, as shower curtains, sheets, newspaper, and drawing paper which I spray painted and hung from the ceiling. The paper was disposable and each person I photographed had a different background. There are few clients that I photographed that have had the same background. Let's begin with lighting, providing you've already selected your camera. You can start with one light, but you will want to get another. Most photographers use a main light and two fill lights or vice versa depending on the effect. The main light focuses on the subject, the fill light gets rid of the shadows depending on the position. So let's select a background. A dark color is always best to start off with. Get a black sheet or shower curtain, shadows usually blend right in. Position the light at least 2 feet from the subject. I prefer that my clients not wear a lot of make up because I want the pictures to capture who they are and not some fake image, making them look glamorous when in fact... Get a barstood or a chair with arms for your subject to sit in. You can cover the chair with a nice sheet or comforter to create an elegant look. When a photographer is working with people, he must use his imagination. Sure, you can copy other people, but its the originality that puts you in demand. You have to do what no one else is doing or close to it. If your backdrop isn't very long, find a rug that will compliment the backdrop. Keep in mind that you want people to look at the subject not the background. The same is true if you're framing a photo for a client. The frame is to compliment the photo not over shadow it. I can't tell you the times I've seen a great work of art, but the frame gets all of the attention. A good size room to start your studio would be at least 12' x 12'. You will have room to move and you can either get the entire subject in the frame of a wide angle lens or you can also do close ups withoutchanging lenses. If you have any questions feel free to contact me. Now go out and take some pictures. Thanks for stopping by, keep an open mind. Coming soon: 12, White Trash, No he didnt, and A night of intimate Art.