Does anyone have a custom designed camera gig for photobooth?

[picard]

Does anyone have a custom designed camera rig for photobooth?

I would like to see your rig if possible.

[picturecrazy]

So many people make such elaborate setups for photobooths. I mean, some people actually construct an actual booth and dismantle it. Even bringing a backdrop and background stand it a lot of work! And on-site printing? Extra monitors to preview photos? Talk about complex!

When I'm requested to set up a photo booth, I basically use basic equipment most already have.

My photobooth gear is:

-40D
-whatever kit lens you may have laying around. I like to be around the normal mark (35mm crop, 50mm FF)
-wired remote shutter release (I use a cheap $5 ebay one)
-studio light (I use BX500Ri, though any cheap studio strobe will do. Because you're close, you don't need gobs of power. Even a speedlite and off-shoe cord would probably do it)
-sync system. Either a cheap PC cord or a radio system.
-another light (optional) if you want to brighten up the background
-Sturdy Tripod (I use Manfrotto 055 series)
-Study Lightstand (Manfrotto large stacker series)
-Umbrella (I use a cheap Photek 60" umbrella) and umbrella bracket.
-Duct Tape
-Zipties

All I do is set up the camera and lights. Then I duct tape them to the ground. That makes it VERY difficult for someone to knock over your equipment. You can even use black duct tape so it is more stealth. Then I tape a box on the ground for people to stand in.

I made a sign with instructions. "1. Stand in box. 2. press button"
The remote release is attached to the sign. I set my camera on 2 second timer. People take their own photos all night. I don't have to hire someone to babysit it. I cut a hole in the sign for the lens to pop through. With the camera out of sight, people don't touch or fiddle with it.

Because there is no supervision, people got crazier and acted more silly and we got better pictures as a result.
Since there is no actual booth, some shots had like 10 people in it. With an actual booth, you're lucky to get 3 maybe 4 people in.
No prints means no limit to photos, no supervision required. Bride gets all high res photos on disc. On this wedding, she used them for Thank you cards.

No prints, no background, no preview monitor, no actual booth, but still just as fun.

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Many people commented on how it was the most fun they've had with a photobooth. I think it mainly is due to the lack of an operator/supervisor.

[nicksan]

The guys I shoot with occasionally has a photo booth option.

White paper backdrop on backdrop stand.
AB800 shooting into medium sized umbrella.
Props.

We all take turns manning the photo booth.

[picard]

how do clients choose their images? how do they obtain images?

[picturecrazy]

I just give the photos to them on a disc with their wedding idsc. Don't need to cull these or anything. I have the WB and exposure set so no processing either, I shoot these only in jpeg and deliver straight off the CF card.

[scorpio_e]

Stupid question coming. Do you bring the props or does the bride and groom supply? Do you run the photobooth the entire reception or does it start when all of the main events are over?

[nicksan]

Originally Posted by scorpio_e

Stupid question coming. Do you bring the props or does the bride and groom supply? Do you run the photobooth the entire reception or does it start when all of the main events are over?

It can be both. Some of the guys I work with bring their own. Photobooth usually begin after the reception begins when there's space where the cocktail hour was held.

Question to Lloyd. So you have the remote attached to that sign. It's on a 2 second timer. Is that long enough for the person pressing the button on the timer if he/she is going to be part of the photo?

[Tigerkn]

Another question to Lloyd. How do you deal with outdoor and umbrella when there is absolutely no indoor space?

[jonwhite]

Lloyd I think your wedding photography is awesome, really inspirational stuff ...... your photo booth stuff by comparison looks very amateur I am afraid.

I realise that the photo booth isn't your main focus but I am still really surprised at you offering such an amateur photo booth with below average photos.

Even just a backdrop of some sorts would take things up a notch, those vertical lines (presumably a temp wall that folds away) look dreadful.

[PinballBlizzard]

Thread bookmarked!

I'm making a photo booth for a Woodstock event at school and this thread is perfect!

[siddr20]

Here is my photobooth setup:

Nice and simple..

[bjyoder]

I just got back from a party my sister-in-law threw for Cinco de Mayo, and I took my new photo booth (all the way to Toledo from Columbus) just to give it another test run.

Unlike the posters here so far, I went the complex route and made a booth that encloses all the hardware, and a curtain surround for the people. I had a similar setup at my wedding a year ago, and I liked it much better as a participant (vs. the open concept "booths"), so I went that way with my own design. Everyone I talked to before building the booth had the same train of thought: in an enclosed booth, people tend to be a bit more open than if everyone else at the party were to be able to see them.

As for the setup, I wanted to try and have the look of an old-school booth from a photo standpoint (think flat lighting from straight ahead), but give it a bit more of a "photographer's" slant, if you will. I have a Rebel T2i mounted on an Alien Bees ABR800 ring light. Added to the ring light, I have the MU30 30-inch softbox. This setup has the advantage that it still keeps the old school "look," but kicks it up and gives beautiful light!

I've got a touchscreen monitor to get things started, and a high end dye-sub printer that will automatically cut the 4x6" sheets into 2x6" strips. The whole booth breaks down and fits into the back of my SUV; it only stacks about 3' high by 4' wide when all broken down (not including the accessories).

I've got a little way to go as far as getting things set up and torn down smoothly and quickly. However, the whole booth can be set up/taken down without the use of tools (save the bench, whose legs - that come off for storage - use allen screws).

Because I was participating in the festivities last night, I unfortunately didn't concentrate too much on getting photos of the outside of the booth (though the wife may have, I'll have to check it out and see). As I'm at work right now, I can't get anything uploaded, but I'll check back into the thread once I get the photos off the card. The Photobooth page on my website shows the photos the booth can produce, at the very least.

[snakeman55]

Yours is awesome Sidd.

[siddr20]

Thanks Adam. Just a simple setup Thats all you need.

As wedding photographers we are already carrying so much equipment around and sometimes we hardly get the time to sit down at receptions.
My setup takes 5mins to get up and running including my lighting. One strobe in a beauty dish can light up everyone easily.

Might invest in some different coloured backdrops next, but my clients seem to love the current setup anyways.


Ben - I disagree with you saying that having an open photobooth might not get people opening up. It really comes down the personality of the people. I had taken some really funny photobooth pics as well as some really naughty ones with my setup.

But with the open photobooth it does take a little bit longer for the people to come down and get some photos. But once they see a few people everyone lines up.. Even the oldies

[jonwhite]

I use a large Hi-Like background (8' x 7') 4 speedlights (2 in the background and 2 with umbrellas to light people from the front) and an ST-E2 on camera to trigger them and also for its AF assist as I quite often shoot these in the dark and or outside in the summer months.

3 of these 4 were shot outside in the dark