Setting up a studio?

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Hello,

Was wondering if anyone had any useful links for equipment required in setting up a studio.

I have told a friend i will purchase whatever equipment she needs (as she wants to be a photographer) to set up a studio in return for her taking all the product photography (this would be the primary focus of it although it'll also be used for portraits etc) i need for various online shops i run.

She is obviously looking into this too however its quite a step up for both of us so was wondering what equipment you guys would recommend, she currently has a canon eos 400d with the standard lense, all other equipment we need to get (tripod, other lenses, etc).

Any help would be appreciated, im aware this will be a costly exercise.

Thanks

 

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Will you be my friend too?

What type of products are you shooting? Size is also another matter. You’re going to need to look at the whole studio range and depending on the photographers experience this is going to be what’s tricky. It’s no good going out buying all the latest and greatest studio gear without the experience to actually use the Kit. Im sorry if she knows her stuff but its something to consider. I would start with a basic Bowen’s setup as these are surprisingly good for the money and build up from there. Most of my kit has been brought along the way as I do more projects. It’s no good blowing all your money if you have brought stuff you’re never going to use.

If you’re shooting smaller objects obviously a lighting tent will come in useful too. Also hiring a studio for a short time before you go out yourselves is something to consider that way if your hiring from a Pro you use the kit before you buy and that way you will know what you want and need and the stuff you don’t need. Also hints and tips!

 

[glitch]

I have told a friend i will purchase whatever equipment she needs (as she wants to be a photographer) to set up a studio in return for her taking all the product photography (this would be the primary focus of it although it'll also be used for portraits etc) i need for various online shops i run.

I'm taking the 'wants to be a photographer' line as meaning she has no previous experience rather than 'she wants to be the photographer' and actually having some. Either way she ought to know what equipment she required if she was ready to start kitting out and shooting in a studio environment.

If she doesn't know what equipment she needs then your first purchase ought to be to send her on a studio lighting course run by a professional who will give her all the advice about technique, equipment and cost that you'll both need to succeed with this little venture of yours.

Good luck, and if you have any spare cash floating about - mine's a Esprit 500 Digital DX Two Head Kit.

PS. Steve Aves lighting courses are (apparently) quite good. Google them.

 

[AndyBorzi]

I'm taking the 'wants to be a photographer' line as meaning she has no previous experience rather than 'she wants to be the photographer' and actually having some. Either way she ought to know what equipment she required if she was ready to start kitting out and shooting in a studio environment.

If she doesn't know what equipment she needs then your first purchase ought to be to send her on a studio lighting course run by a professional who will give her all the advice about technique, equipment and cost that you'll both need to succeed with this little venture of yours.

Good luck, and if you have any spare cash floating about - mine's a Esprit 500 Digital DX Two Head Kit.

PS. Steve Aves lighting courses are (apparently) quite good. Google them.

I went on the FlashCentre course and found it pretty good value. They do a bit of a product sell but with no pressure and show you how to use various equipment. They will also let you know what you need and don't need when you are starting out. They also give a discount off their stuff should you order with them.

http://www.theflashcentre.com/

This is the one I went on. (The model is very nice!

http://www.theflashcentre.com/portrait-lighting-courses-i9.html

 

[MrSix]

What sort of products will she be shooting for you?

Just to give you an idea of a basic set-up, I'm going to be shooting a secondary school ball in a couple of months and I'm currently kitting myself out with some gear.

Firstly, start off with a backdrop - I'm buying a large roll of plain white cloth, about 3m wide by 5m high, which will be supported by a couple of stands with a crossbeam.

Then the lighting can be provided by a number of sources - I use off camera strobes fired by eBay slaves, I have a canon 420EX and Nikon SB24 and I'll soon be getting another SB24.

Then accessory wise I have a 42cm silver umbrella, a couple of diffusers and a silver reflector. I'll be buying another silver umbrella for the second SB24 I buy soon.

This is enough to shoot a group of up to 5 people - The set up I would use for this would be:

1x Umbrella'd strobe to my upper left
1x Umbrella'd strobe to my upper right
1x Diffused flash set to +1 exposure on the background

That way I get a nice soft light on my subjects and my background appears to be solid white so isn't distracting.

You can then use this same set-up for macro shots:



This was taken using the "10p macro studio" which consists of 2 or 3 bits of A4 paper and a strobe set high above it at 1/8 power.

If you want any more info, just yell

 

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In terms of what we're going to be shooting it will be starting off mostly small items such as cosmetics, candles etc however while we are doing this i'd like her to be learning about how to take good people photography as soon ill need to take photos of models in lingerie and stuff like that.

Correct she doesnt have much experience and it would indeed be silly to go off and buy top of the range right now, so a modest start would probably be preferred.

The course is definately a yes and its something we've talked about so thanks for the suggestion, any others used other courses which may be of interest?

So essentially if you had to write a shopping list for what we need from start to finish minus the camera to take cosmetic size photography, what would you recommend?

Thanks for the advice so far, its much appreciated.