Studio Question.... Please Help

[Necrocide]

Hello. I am in the process of venturing into the world of studio photography. My question is whether or not the space I have available will make due until I can hopefully construct a larger area.

Here are the dimensions: The room is 24 feet long and 14 ft wide with 8 ft ceilings. I know from what I have read that an area must me bigger, but you have to make due with what you have. I have a window in the end of the loft area that allows in natural lighting. The window is a 3x6 ft window.

My subjects will be mostly single and no more than 3 person's at a time. Again, I am asking if this area will work until I can hopefully build a larger area in the near future. I can almost attest that every photographer didn't start out in a 60x30 ft studio with 10 or 12 foot ceilings and some maybe in a room smaller than the one I have available.

Any help or tips you can provide will be appreciated. Thank You

[jra]

If that's what you've got, I'm sure you can make it work. You'll just need to work in the limits of your space.....and it really shouldn't be too awful limiting. Many have done great work with quite a bit less. Good luck.

[Necrocide]

Thank you jra for the response. I appreciate it.

[RandyMN]

I think your biggest downfall will be the eight foot ceilings.

[Necrocide]

Why is it a must to have 10ft ceilings? What benefit does it provide versus 8ft ceiling? Thanks

[JMHPhotography]

you are limited for sure... but you can use that space if you're creative enough. The length is ok... the width concerns me but you would have 2 feet on either side to accomadate lighting . Doable.... but tight. Single person portraits would be a cinch. The ceiling is low. Not unusable, but limiting.

@Necrocide when you are using say a 36x24 softbox... or umbrella, you put the center of the light at about 6 feet which is roughly eye level for most adults with a ceiling height of 8 feet. For portraits, you want the lights above eye level . Plus you really have no room for an overhead hair light.

You can make do by seating your adults, and of course, kids would be ok as well. Also, if you use low kickers to do separation you can make due as well. But it's limiting. I prefer 12' ceilings or higher to be honest. I prefer overhead hair lights to backlighting in most traditional portrait cases.

[Necrocide]

Thank you for the information forkball. I am hoping I can make due with this space for the time being until I can pay off my jeep, which is another year and construct a room attached to the house with the high ceilings and room I need.

[chris1965]

My studio is 11 feet wide and 25 feet long but I have 12 foot ceilings, my lights are a little tight so I just use a main and a fill and a hair light but I have shot family portraits of 7 people without a problem.