Studio Shoot Help

mant01

mant01

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John
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Im thinking about trying a studio shoot but it seems abit daunting to be honest. I dont know what to expect lighting wise etc or anything else and dont want to waste money messing it up. Any tips and advice for someone who's never used a studio, anything you wish you knew when you started, all advice welcome and appreciated.
 
Book a studio learning day with the pro's tbh. Or even just a few hours, plenty of places do them. Group sessions will be cheapest and give you some moral support too.

Alternatively, online video tutorials and/or good dvd' can be a good starting point too. :thumbs:
 
I did get in touch with a local studio and he said they dont really do instructional days but would come in on a shoot for £50. So when you hire a studio is all the lighting part of the price? is it set up or do you already need to know how to get it all up and running? I think your right, gonna have to find a group shoot tuition day before an actual shoot.
 
If you are in the NE, you might want to have a look at the ISL link at the bottom of the homepage. Alternatively, photolearn do some DVD's containing lots of info about how to set up and use lighting.

Studio hire will depend very much on the studio, it usually includes the lights, backdrops, etc, but best to talk to them first, especially if you have never done anything like it before. I would definately look at getting some kind of tuition or knowledge before going into a studio on your own though, like you say, its very daunting at first.

Mind you, I am saying all this...I just went out and bought studio equipment and got stuck in, and thanks to the members here, manage a few ok shots once in a while. That isnt the way for most people though, having half an idea first is normally a good idea :lol:
 
I wish I knew how much I was going to spend :)!

A lot of reading and practice. Lighting comes with its own issues but posing subjects is an area that you need to learn. Best way is looking at images and trying them out - you can add your own slant when you feel more capable/.

Budget is a big factor - I started small but ended up spending way over what I thought I would (and still spending)! Luckily I've had a few jobs mostly for friends and their families and friends that have helped pay for a lot of my gear :)

Good luck :)
 
Mant, where are you based?

If you are offered a studio for £50, that will be for the studio and usually the lighting for probably half a day. It will NOT include any tuition or support from the photographer unless he's kind enough to give you a few quick pointers. For half a day tuition from a pro you'd pay more like £300.

I know of a photographer in Newcastle who may do a tuition based session for you and a few others if you want to spread the cost. He's based in Byker, Newcastle.
 
I live at Durham mate, the studio was £50 for 2 hours to hire and the guy said if I give him another £50 he would come in on the shoot and help with advice, set up etc.
£300 seems abit over board, the ISL half day course in leeds is only a £100. I know Id have to travel more but the train ticket works out at £33 so seems like it might be my best option to get started.
 
Doing some tuition shoots is the best way, I have just started getting into Studio Photography, and have been doing it that way, the studio I use the owner charged just under £300 for 2 hours, but that included everyting i.e. studio/lights/model/his time on a one to one basis, I found this to be a good way as the tuition is dedicated to you and your learning pace, have been a few times now and the cost drops the less help you need.
 
mant01 said:
I live at Durham mate, the studio was £50 for 2 hours to hire and the guy said if I give him another £50 he would come in on the shoot and help with advice, set up etc.
£300 seems abit over board, the ISL half day course in leeds is only a £100. I know Id have to travel more but the train ticket works out at £33 so seems like it might be my best option to get started.
Click to expand...

You get what you pay for in training just as with other forms of hiring Pros. There's a big difference between being able to use a well equipped studio and having good tuition on what & why

£300 for a day's 1-2-1 I'd consider either too cheap (the tog's not that good) or a real bargain from someone who doesn't know his worth; the last course I was considering (couldn't go in the end) was £425 plus VAT for the day and I would have been one of 12 on the course - and it would have been worth it too :)

DD
 
neo2810 said:
Mant, where are you based?

If you are offered a studio for £50, that will be for the studio and usually the lighting for probably half a day. It will NOT include any tuition or support from the photographer unless he's kind enough to give you a few quick pointers. For half a day tuition from a pro you'd pay more like £300.

I know of a photographer in Newcastle who may do a tuition based session for you and a few others if you want to spread the cost. He's based in Byker, Newcastle.
Click to expand...
im from north tyneside... could you pm me some of the details...
 
mant01 said:
I live at Durham mate, the studio was £50 for 2 hours to hire and the guy said if I give him another £50 he would come in on the shoot and help with advice, set up etc.
£300 seems abit over board, the ISL half day course in leeds is only a £100. I know Id have to travel more but the train ticket works out at £33 so seems like it might be my best option to get started.
Click to expand...

Hi

The course at ISL is run over the course of 6 hours and has recently been revised to be more hands on work and less classroom based work. We break the groups up now into small numbers and work in 2 different studios (both equipped the same).

A one on one session (intense lighting) is £350 and works around the photography/subject/style of your choice.

We've done 30 courses now and had nothing but praise from all people that have attended. We've been doing some work for Bradford Photographic Society recently and have a couple of guys from there booking in next month.

Value for money, you won't find anywhere locally that gives more assistance and tuition to amateur photographers wanting to break into the studio scene :)

Lee (one of ISL's owners)
 
PS - studio hire is from £20 per hour and £15 per additional hour afterwards. And help is on hand and FREE!
 
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