A question for those of us who dabble in and operate in studios...
What are basics of equipment that you use in the studio? Low cost versions, wholesalers, etc??
Also, car to share a bit of your workflow for those of us wanting to stick our toes in??
Thanks in advance for our input!
-Wes
Equipment:
1. Tripod - Not the little flimsy jobby you carry about in the field, but a truly stout support. I use the same Bogen 3058 that I used with my 4x5 view camera.
2. Camera - Well, it's the same Canon G5 I use for everything. At least until I can afford a Leaf digital back for the 4x5 (yeah right, my cars don't cost that much)
3. Lights - I currently use these clamp on worklights with a spun aluminum reflector. I think they were about $5-$10 each. I think I'll get a set of Smith Victor hot lights. Maybe someday I'll be rich and can buy a gob of Speedotron powerpacks and strobes, but the only way that will happen is if I ever start my own studio.
4. Background - White and black sweeps are the basics. You can make your own muslins.
5. Spring clamps - utility item #2 right behind gaffers tape.
That's just the basics. Every photographer has different things in their bag of tricks, so......
My "studio" which is actually a corner of my office, consists of;
a table, numerous risers of different shapes and sizes, many pieces of different coloured cloth for backdrops, 3 flashlights, a laser pointer, two halogen desk lamps, two silver reflector shades w/ photo flood bulbs, white and black foam core, and a lot of odds and ends of glass and plexi.
Plus; a tripod, sturdy, light table, 4 angle braces at different hights to clamp the light to or hang things from, duct tape, masking tape, tack wax, spring tweezer, and well, tons of props.
I am just recently getting interested in studio photography. Friends/family ask me if I do portraiture but I don't have the proper equipment. But now that I have aluminum light stands, 2 of those), 250 watt bulbs with 12" reflectors. I also got a 550EX lens for my digital rebel and a 50mm prime f1.8. The only think I don't need is a diffuser. Anyone knows where can I get cheap diffusers as I can't afford soft boxes. I heard about the cheesecloth, but how thick should I get. Would that not catch fire when using with 250w. I can make a reflector ouf of aluminum foil. Should the foil be straight or crumpled.
mine's in my leaky basement, and anyone who has seen "The Silence of the Lambs" has a pretty good idea of what that looks like...
"it rubs the lotion on its skin...."
Hey, I think we have the same basement!! I did have my choice, I could have setup in the garage. Unheated, uninsulated, excellent ventilation, home to several critters, and the top is headed southwest while the bottom is sinking slowly into the earth....
