Portable Studio Setup

drewdrew

drewdrew

Messages
128
Name
Drew
Edit My Images
No
Hi All,

My mind is a mass of stuff, after searching google to try and find out the following, but every website says different things, so I thought I would post here, to see if I can get a consensus of opinion.

Firstly, I have never shot using a studio, have never used studio lighting or backdrops. The only time I have been in a studio, is with the family for portraits.

I have been asked if I can provide a portable studio at a venue, for the shooting of animals. The animals will be pets, so will range from cats, dogs to mice, gerbils, rabbits etc. These would be for portraits of the animals.

It doesn't need to be anything over the top, just enough to start with. If this one is a success, I may do more, so don't want to be spending loads on studio equipment I may never need again.

I need the picture background to be white, with the animal standing out. What background would be the best? Seamless paper? muslin? lastolite? (thats google serach confusing me)

Also what lighting would be needed? And how many lights? I know it doesn't help not knowing the venue, but the ambient light will be fluorescent tubes.

I'm ok with the camera and other equipment, just the studio bits I have no idea with. I've got about 6 weeks before this is due to go ahead, so ahve time to get the equipment and practice, practice, practice, and just in case I have some spare time, practice some more! :)

Thank You
 
Hi Drew,

I can't really make too many recommendations as to lighting kit. Bowens and Elinchrom would be my first recommendations, but they're not the bottom end of the market. Interfit and suchlike are much cheaper, but the kit isn't built to last.

Ideally, if you want a big white background for that high-key effect, then I'd use four lights - two on the subject and two on the background. Forget about the ambient light - if you don't use flash with your background (assuming you're not going to overly photoshop everything), your studio shots will look crap. However, if that isn't possible, you might just about be able to cheat it with two - but it wouldn't look as even as four, and you'd be shooting in a much smaller area, which might give you trouble if animals are wandering around. At least people are easier to control!

For material, you can use paper - just be aware that it rips and gets dirty very easily. An animal constantly walking over it may mean that you have to keep replacing it throughout the shoot! I'd recommend either a Lastolite background, vinyl or something like that - but again, it's a question of your budget and how long you want it to last.

There will be plenty of other people with more experience of studio shooting than me, but I hope that gets you started!
 
Thanks for the reply photo plod.

I am after the high key effect, so 4 lights it is then. What sort of power do they need to be? I've seen so many lights on offer on eBay and trade sites, it just gets confusing.

I'm going to look at getting a Vinyl background, as I presume it can be wiped clean?

Thanks
 
You can do it with 4 flashguns. You don't need to run out and buy studio kit, in fact you could get away with 2.

One flash into a reflective umbrella would be a main light. White background could then be lit by another light. Maybe vinyl would be better as wipe clean, but again depends on budget.

What kind of space are you doing this in, is it indoor? outdoor? How many animals do you plan to shoot? A little more info on the conditions would help people be able to advise you better
 
ding76uk said:
What kind of space are you doing this in, is it indoor? outdoor? How many animals do you plan to shoot? A little more info on the conditions would help people be able to advise you better
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. The shoot would be inside, in a commercial premises. The ceiling height would be 'normal' ceiling height. I didn't measure it up, but its just standard ceiling height. Sorry I can't be more specific than that.

The area I have to work in, is about 5 x 5 metres.

The plan is to book in as many shots as possible, over an 8 hours day, with appointment every 20 mins, plus any drop ins that appear. I do not expect, that even if we do manage to fill every slot, that everyone will turn up.

Hope this helps a bit more.
 
Ding's setup is what I'd do, if you're going to do it with two lights. However, 5 x 5 is quite a large space for only two lights, and you may find that your light doesn't quite give you an even look like you see with so many high-key shots.

The ceiling height won't really come into things - you won't be bouncing flash off it anyway.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top