How to Set Up a Photo Studio

Creating a studio can be a simple or complex task depending on the desired results, but in either case a few simple rules apply. You need sufficient space, a lot of electrical outlets, the ability to shut out light when necessary etc.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Brushes
• Reflector Boards
• Cupboards
• Full-length Mirrors
• Paint Rollers With Extension Pole
• Studio Lighting
• Air Conditioners Or Ventilator
• Dressing Room Curtains
• 9-foot-wide Paper Rolls
• Cameras
• Flash Meters
• Tripods
• Electrical Outlets
• Stepladders
• Cameras
• White, matte interior paints

Choosing the Room

1. Find a room that's 15 to 18 feet long to allow for at least 12 feet between the camera and the background, as well as room for lighting equipment.

2. Select a room that's at least half as wide as it is long.

3. Opt for a room with a simple shape for greatest versatility and a high ceiling to allow for soft, even lighting and high camera viewpoints.

4. Paint the walls and ceiling with a washable, white, matte finish.

5. Box in or take out fireplaces, alcoves and baseboards to streamline the shape of the room.

6. Install numerous electrical outlets or a single heavy-duty outlet with a distribution box on a long cable. Choose the walls you'll use as backgrounds before installing electrical outlets.

7. Install a ventilator or air conditioner to reduce the stifling effect of the lighting.

Arranging the Studio

8. Decide which walls will serve as backdrops and set up your camera opposite.

9. Construct or buy reflector boards (6-foot-tall boards with a white surface on one side) to use for reflecting light into shadow areas.

10. Collect a range of props and tools. Build a cupboard to store them in, as well as a dressing room with a full-length mirror if you plan to use models.

11. Set up your lighting.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a 9-foot-wide paper roll mounted on poles or a wall bracket to provide an ideal backdrop when the floor is part of the shot. It can be pulled out to a length covering both the wall and the floor in front of it with a curved transition between the two instead of a sharp angle.

[Winhar]

on 8/15/2008 What about the flooring? I had thought carpet but figured the backdrops would rinkle. Would you go linoleum? If so, what color?

[alma07]

on 4/12/2008 What are the appropriate watts used in a small studio 13 x 16 ft. I am planning on starting a small photo studio. Do 2 strobe lights w/ soft boxes with the total of 330 watts sound about right? my studio is going to be painted black. help

on 2/1/2006 Try going to the local theater and ask around for old backdrops they have used on stage, like velvet curtains or other large pieces of fabric. You might get lucky!

on 11/22/2005 Another way to have great backdrops for the pictures is to buy inexpensive sheets from places like WalMart or the Salvation Army. Dye or bleach the sheets and you can twist them up before dying to have the colors tie-died! This can give you the stone grey, black and others! Also, you can buy food coloring and the stamps for crafting and add designs to lighter colored sheets.

on 11/22/2005 If you don't have a whole room dedicated as a studio, you can hang plain picnic tablecloths for portrait back drops. Or you can go to a whole-sale fabric store and buy a back drop. You can use PVC to hang the fabric on the wall.