**Studio set-up in my small dorm room!!**

[cbacarella]

Well, its not really a 'studio' but i built it to practice my studio type photos. Im a photojournalism student at Central Michigan University who is also a Resident Assistant which allows me to have a 4 person room to myself! (yes, 4 people are usually in here. Each room is 12ft x 10.5ft. Crazy i know!).

The Set-up:
- Two light stands with umbrellas that can be shoot through or reflect
-Backdrop is charcoal Grey @ $1.50 a yard. I bought 10 yards long by about 3 feet wide. Cut in half at 5 yards long, then seemed together to make 5 yards long by about 6 feet wide.
-6 self adhesive stick small hangers. 3 on one wall, 3 on the other wall which allows me to setup the backdrop for headshots, or full body shots depending on what wall i use.

Thats it!

Anywho, since i live alone i decided to construct some things that allow me to further my knowledge with the ever so important lighting setups!


Here are some pics! (Keep in mind the shots I took and put up do not actually illustrate how i would normally set up lights...they are just like that for the pictures.)


Setup number one. Backdrop on far wall in its 'resting mode'. When i use it to shoot, i can tighten the backdrop to get rid of the wrinkles as well as drap it along the floor.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2611/3954442869_aaea7d8aac.jpg


Set up two. The backdrop is now where you see the bike in this picture as well as the one above.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3453/3955233236_d9630a1113.jpg


Its a little thinner to work with but with one person it will work fine. With this i can stand in my living room and shoot through my door to recieve full body shots. Lights are set up just for show. Paper and things taped to the top light to help diffuse a little when using setup 1.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3468/3954442845_9f93e843ec.jpg


Shooting through my door....

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2491/3955222478_5375b084eb.jpg



Full body shot using a 70-200. With some cropping, good lighting setup and moving the dresser out of the way...itll work!

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2545/3955222454_85e019b531.jpg


Quick pic...crappy light setup...

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2586/3954442787_895b557d5f.jpg





Well, overall im pleased with the setup!

Full cost including light stands, flashes, wireless receivers, and all other things:

$320


woot woot!

Now all that is left is lots of reading and trial and error with light set up and things like that.



Thanks for looking!



.Chris Bacarella.

[cbacarella]

Also...in case anyone was wondering how the rest of my room looks, here it is!


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2444/3954443103_644e101e4c.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3444/3955222396_95e9be88aa.jpg




.Chris.

[Headshotzx]

Buzz Lightyear! Sweeeeeet.

Oh, right, studio.

Imo the worst thing you'd want to have is crumpled backgrounds. You did a good job fitting small flash into such tight spaces, but perhaps the way behind would be a better background ( i know it's poppy and rough because of the texture, but still... )

Your second tighter shot looks good ;)

[mcluckie]

Very cool. Looks like you got all the issues covered. You could use another light or bounce card over this guys left shoulder -- you lose his head in the background. On the cheap, so maybe some PVC clamping deal that could serve as an articulated arm and get a bounce card in close. Get a pair of Bogen Superclamps, put 'em together and this is simple.

Or lean some foamcore on the dresser...

[cbacarella]

Buzz Lightyear! Sweeeeeet.

Oh, right, studio.

Imo the worst thing you'd want to have is crumpled backgrounds. You did a good job fitting small flash into such tight spaces, but perhaps the way behind would be a better background ( i know it's poppy and rough because of the texture, but still... )

Your second tighter shot looks good ;)


Thanks! I also have to iron out the crinkles in the backdrop because i agree with you, it does not look good. All things to do tomorrow! haha

Very cool. Looks like you got all the issues covered. You could use another light or bounce card over this guys left shoulder -- you lose his head in the background. On the cheap, so maybe some PVC clamping deal that could serve as an articulated arm and get a bounce card in close. Get a pair of Bogen Superclamps, put 'em together and this is simple.

Or lean some foamcore on the dresser...


Thanks! Ill definitely try out what you suggested! Im going to actually 'place' the lights in good spots when i really try out the setup. Hopefully i can make something like you described above to help!





.Chris.

[chestercopperpot]

ahhh dorm rooms. I miss them in a bizarre kind of way. Or should I say I miss the debauchery associated with dorm rooms... :) anyway....

nice work on your makeshift studio! I always think it's cool seeing how people make do with their circumstances. Make sure to post some pictures when you are entirely up and running. Will be interested to see your "final" results!

[Wilt]

I am encouraged to see that the values of the youth of America has not changed so very radically...fridge for the beer, microwave for the popcorn, big screen TV overwhelming a wall, yet room for the lighting setup :D

[TMR Design]

When I was in school the focus was on having a large and powerful stereo. TV wasn't at all a priority. :D

[Wilt]

When I was in school the focus was on having a large and powerful stereo. TV wasn't at all a priority. :D

Me, too. But having just put thru the last of the kids though college (graduated and not paying those huge UC student fee increases that Arnold and regents have threatened), and having helped the roomates move in this 50" TV screen into the shared house... :)

I still don't understand the decrease in audio fidelity that today's young generation seems to accept so willingly so the sake of size...MP3

[evilryu530]

excellent setup for yourself there. now bring on the college girls...........to test your studio that is.

[57hardtop]

When I was in school the focus was on having a large and powerful stereo. TV wasn't at all a priority. :D

Yeah, how about it...I had a sweet Sansui receiver, Pioneer turntable, a huge reel to reel tape machine and four speakers, each 24"w x 18"d x 36"h, but only had a small 12" B&W TV :lol:

[Wilt]

So why do people have to own huge TVs now, yet the programming is so cr*ppy that even those in the age demographic for whom TV is written think the programming sucks, too?! (it is not simply a generational gap)

...I get it, the TV writers are the boneheads.

[fivegallon]

So why do people have to own huge TVs now, yet the programming is so cr*ppy that even those in the age demographic who TV is written for think the programming sucks, too?! (it is not simply a generational gap)

for sports of course!! hehe ;)

[Wilt]

for sports of course!! hehe ;)

I guess that's why I spend my time with photography, rather than getting fat sitting in front of the TV <yawn>

[fivegallon]

I guess that's why I spend my time with photography, rather than getting fat sitting in front of the TV <yawn>

yeah i have several big screens at home but just don't spend enough time in my own country to put many hours on them.... so it's lugging lenses for me too! (and i'm more than happy to do that)

[cbacarella]

Thanks for the comments everyone! I too am excited to see the 'final' results of the make shift studio...haha...

I was out all day shooting in the rain at the Central Michigan University football game so i'm just going to relax for the rest of the night! Hopefully get some free time tomorrow to shoot some portrait work.


As for my TV, i rarely watch it. Between working for the local newspaper, classes, and other university involvements i'm rarely home. When i am home, i'm usually on here. Last year, i didn't even have a TV. Over the summer though an Uncle of mine bought a new TV and said he would sell me this 50inch for $200. Its only about 2 years old..and the picture is great! So i bought it!



.Chris.

[fivegallon]

Hey Chris i think you prove a good point in your first post when you have used your 70-200 in that tight space.
Way too often theres comments here about lenses being too long indoors, whereas you have made-do with what you have. Good work

[cbacarella]

Hey Chris i think you prove a good point in your first post when you have used your 70-200 in that tight space.
Way too often theres comments here about lenses being too long indoors, whereas you have made-do with what you have. Good work


Thanks! I actually stand in my bathroom and shoot through the living room and into the bedroom to get full body inside using the 70-200. If im just doing head or half body..the 70-200 is fine. My 17-50 is useful in tight spots as well.



Hey, anyone have any info on how i should setup the lights? As of now, im shooting one of my strobes at my background through an umbrella and also shooting one at my subject usually upper camera left. I know i need to buy a reflector of some type, but my images just are not working well. How can i achieve more rim lighting? I also do not have a light meter so ive just been playing with power level differences on each of my flashes....idk..its not working to well. Im still doing lots of reading though and experimentation...pics just are not turning out the best.

Here are examples:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2460/3949946924_cd6c3251c6_b.jpg



.Chris.