Garage Studios: What do you use?

[orchjoe]

Do you have a garage studio?? What kind of contraptions/lighting do you use?
Feel free to post some pictures of your setups...

I am thinking about creating a garage studio that I can setup/take down.

 

[pointandshoot]

Hi,

I do not have a garage studio yet but have been looking into the same set-up. One suggestion is to rent a lighting kit first to see what configuration you might need.

I did this for a location shoot and played with the lighting for a few days. I used two monolights with umbrellas and a background. Set-up was at 45 degree angle to subject with front light from window.

With digital, you can re-configure until you get the effect you are looking for. Seems like two lights are minimal and three is preferable. Also, 400 watt output seems like enough power for an amateur. Kits and bundles are cheaper. Need to consider if you want to take the kit mobile and how to power.

Many brands to consider. I have been looking at mid-price units like Alien Bees. The good news is that most quality light kits that are well kept seem to hold their re-sale value. This makes we want to buy quality.

Like to hear from folks with studio experience.

Chuck

 

[Anewman]

I am still cleaning out one of our garages(through out an old stove yesterday). After I am complete I hope to use it as a home gym/studio, I have purchased some equipment that is portable(important to me) and hopefully still good enough to get decent results. I am also very cheap...

So far I have purchased.

RPS studio RPS Studio 480 watt, 3 Monolight Portable Strobe Kit $90 on ebay(including shipping) even though it sells for $399 at Adorama.

a small softbox with lightstand(and casters) with case.

and from a background support system EBAY(amvona)

Plus six or seven muslin backgrounds(amvona)

And wireless shutter release and strobe triggers(RF). Plus other stuff like tripod/head, reflectors and reference cards.

 

[MICKEY88]

I am still cleaning out one of our garages(through out an old stove yesterday). After I am complete I hope to use it as a home gym/studio, I have purchased some equipment that is portable(important to me) and hopefully still good enough to get decent results. I am also very cheap...

So far I have purchased.

RPS studio RPS Studio 480 watt, 3 Monolight Portable Strobe Kit $90 on ebay(including shipping) even though it sells for $399 at Adorama.

a small softbox with lightstand(and casters) with case.

and from a background support system EBAY(amvona)

Plus six or seven muslin backgrounds(amvona)

And wireless shutter release and strobe triggers(RF). Plus other stuff like tripod/head, reflectors and reference cards.

you should get the wi-pics system next and tell me how you like it, so I can decide if it's worth buying..

http://www.wi-pics.com/

 

[Anewman]

you should get the wi-pics system next and tell me how you like it, so I can decide if it's worth buying..

http://www.wi-pics.com/

Did you miss the part where I say I am cheap?

Seriously, that does look way cool but might be suited more for team location work instead of a garage studio.

 

[MICKEY88]

Did you miss the part where I say I am cheap?

Seriously, that does look way cool but might be suited more for team location work instead of a garage studio.

so what are you saying, that you won't test it for a dis friend ??

 

[Anewman]

so what are you saying, that you won't test it for a dis friend ??

Sure I will test it for ya... Will pm you my address so you can have it shipped to me.

 

[Lizziejane]

I don't have a garage to spare however, I'm just about ready to order some Alien Bees with a couple of umbrellas and a softbox. I'm just wrestling with the decision between barndoors or grids.

 

[MICKEY88]

Sure I will test it for ya... Will pm you my address so you can have it shipped to me.

if I'm paying...I'm playing...

 

[Miss Kelly]

I don't have a garage to spare however, I'm just about ready to order some Alien Bees with a couple of umbrellas and a softbox. I'm just wrestling with the decision between barndoors or grids.

DO IT! lol Alien Bee's are great!

 

[Miss Kelly]

Oops, forgot to reply to the original post.

I have 2 Alien Bee Lights, 1 Giant Softbox, and 1 Large Softbox. I've previously used umbrella's and a brolly box. Portable Backdrop Stand. Several rolls of seamless paper and Silverlake backdrops.

I don't have an official studio yet, so I setup and take down as needed. On Location or in our Family Room. Works for me. I only buy equipment that can be easily assembled and taken down.

No photographs of my setups, but I usually put my main at 7 or 7:30 o'clock and my fill at 2:30,3:00, 3:30 o'clock depending on the look that I'm wanting. I think a light meter is a must. Some will disagree.

If your wanting a simple setup, open the garage door and shoot via natural light. Slap a backdrop against the wall and go to town.

 

[Lizziejane]

Miss Kelly - which do you prefer - the paper backdrop or muslin? I don't have paper, so as wondering what (if any) advantages are over muslin aside from the no wrinkles issue! Pardon my ignorance, but I have no idea how to use paper - do you "dispose" of used portions? and are the rolls portable?

And speaking of muslins, how do you get all the wrinkles out?! lol

 

[extreme8]

You really don't need tons of equipment (unless thats what you want) to get nice results.
You can do some cool things with a hotshoe flash, a small portable softbox and a reflector.
These are some shots I took this weekend with that exact setup.

That said, I am planning on buying 4 Alien Bee's with softboxes and octoboxes within the next few weeks.

 

[SharonLowe]

Miss Kelly - which do you prefer - the paper backdrop or muslin? I don't have paper, so as wondering what (if any) advantages are over muslin aside from the no wrinkles issue! Pardon my ignorance, but I have no idea how to use paper - do you "dispose" of used portions? and are the rolls portable?

And speaking of muslins, how do you get all the wrinkles out?! lol

Paper rolls are extremely heavy and get very dirty so you have to dispose of the dirty bits. They also require more support than muslin. If your muslin gets dirty, you just wash it. If you keep your muslin hung (and rolled), they won't be as wrinkly. I use muslin, have two Boden mono-poles in my "studio" aka guest room and I use large clamps to hold the muslin rather than having a fancy system for rolls. My white muslin stays hung and I don't have an issue with wrinkles other than an occasional small one which is easily fixed post processing. My colored muslins - well, the wrinkles are part of the appeal and I stop down my aperture so they aren't predominant.

In terms of lights, I have 5 alien bees - 2 400s, 2 800s, and 1 1600. Various soft boxes and umbrellas, some grids, some gels; light poles including a boom; light meter and wireless receiver/transmitter so I don't have wires running everywhere. I use white board for bounce and also have some lightweight portable diffusers/bounce panels.

It is all quite portable but I pick and choose what to take on location.

 

[Miss Kelly]

Miss Kelly - which do you prefer - the paper backdrop or muslin? I don't have paper, so as wondering what (if any) advantages are over muslin aside from the no wrinkles issue! Pardon my ignorance, but I have no idea how to use paper - do you "dispose" of used portions? and are the rolls portable?

And speaking of muslins, how do you get all the wrinkles out?! lol

I like them both for different reasons. I like the variety of options and colors with the seamless paper. I use the small rolls so I can transport them easily and this way I have tons of color choices. The muslins are great because they are large, quite beautiful, and elegant (IMHO). If I had a full time studio (or permanent studio at all), I would have many more muslins on a track system. They are large and wrinkly though, whereas the seamless paper rolls get dirty easy (even though I do use plexi and fur rugs) and are not quite big enough for more than 1-2 people. That's not a problem for me though because I'm primarily a child portrait photographer.

To get the wrinkles out of muslins, you could use a steamer, a spray bottle with water or wrinkle releaser, or if your brave enough... lay the muslin on the grass and the dew will help release some of the wrinkles. lol I've had several people tell me thats what they do.

 

[Miss Kelly]

extreme8, those photographs are fantastic! The lighting and posing are awesome!