Small Home Studio setup and needing advice please.

I had originally posted this in the accessories and storage thread but I may get more views and suggestions here, well at least I am hoping.

My budget is around $2-3K Max including taxes and shipping and I currently do not have any lighting gear at all. I have been reading a lot especially the light. magic and science book which I recently picked up, however I am also looking for some input from members who can advice on certain or particular equipment.

I will be shooting portraits, kids, pets, and families. At first I thought about going with the Hilite background and then decided against it and now I am firm on getting background that would allow me to use 3-4 different backgrounds. I was thinking autopoles as well, but cieling might be an issue for me I am thinking based on the pic below? SO I am looking for recommendations and suggetions on background stands that will meet my needs and I am not looking for portability at all as I do not intend on taking this with me anywhere.

I am also looking for lighting gear and softboxes, reflectors, as well as light stands which I have somewhat narrowed it down to what I want but would love to hear a few opinions. I have looked at Zack Arias's site as well and also went over the entire thread of Dwight McCann to pull some ideas from what he did.

Ok, so I have decided to use our laundry room for now which is unfinished and convert that into my small home studio. It is 21'x13' which gives me a lot more room, however the ceiling is also unfinished and the beams are exposed which I may need to cover I am assuming. Here is a pic of the basement in the laundry room and yes, it is very messy right now but I am thinking this might be the room to set up my small home studio and go from there.

Looking forward to your suggestions on background stands and some mid-high end lighting gear.

Many Thanks ,
Karim.

Why you need autopoles? Why not put those back ground hanger hooks directly to the wall or the ceiling? Also why do you think you need to cover the ceiling?

Another member from UK just posted a very nice studio setup in small space. Check out that thread also.

I put up a post here this week, have a look:

https://photography-on-the.net …47&highlight=sm​all+studio

This is also a good link:

https://photography-on-the.net …52&highlight=sm​all+studio

As is this:

https://photography-on-the.net …64&highlight=sm​all+studio

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When you get through them, you might have some pretty good ideas to choose from.

I will say though, that you are going to struggle with that budget.

If you want a fully self contained studio.

But if you just want to blank the walls, buy a backdrop and some AB's, you might get away with it.

If I had that budget, I would just concentrate on getting the two side walls covered, the backdrop and floor (floor would be fine with tileboard) and spend on the lights.

To do all the walls, ceiling, floor and lights on that is going to be tough, you could do it, but you really would have to shop around for low cost materials, lights etc.

And make sure you use your 21feet for the length.

Thanks Mark for your input. For the moment, I have no plans on doing the walls at all. I am just trying to get a decent backdrop and invest in lights. My main concern was just the ceilings and I was wondering if I would need to cover that up with some sheets instead of doing all the dry wall stuff and make a full fledge studio out of it. Floors would not be a problem I think as I will be using the white tile sheets. I am trying to replicate the studio settings from Zach Arias's blog http://zackarias.com …torial-part-1-gear-space/ The $2K-$3K budget is strictly for the lighting gear and backdrop stands and softboxes etc.

By the way, your studio looks great...I have read all the links you posted above and still go back to it just to get more ideas.

For backdrops I recommend closet shelf brackets like this and 1 1/4" galvanized electrical conduit. The conduit comes in 10 ft. lengths at home improvement stores, which is perfect for hanging a 9 ft. roll of seamless paper. Screw the brackets to studs 112" apart, as close to the ceiling as possible.

You'll want to maximize your headroom, which means getting rid of those fluorescent fixtures and installing can lights between the joists.

To avoid a color cast from light bouncing off the walls, you'll want to cover them with drywall and paint a neutral color (medium grey is a good compromise). Before you drywall the ceiling it would be good to move those wires and pipes on the left, over to the right with the ductwork so you can build a bulkhead around the whole mess.

If you're serious about turning this into a studio space you'll want to relocate the washer and dryer, too. This can be quite a job because you'll need to relocate plumbing, drain pipe and dryer vent duct work.

Karim1980 wrote in post #13553970
Thanks Mark for your input. For the moment, I have no plans on doing the walls at all. I am just trying to get a decent backdrop and invest in lights. My main concern was just the ceilings and I was wondering if I would need to cover that up with some sheets instead of doing all the dry wall stuff and make a full fledge studio out of it. Floors would not be a problem I think as I will be using the white tile sheets. I am trying to replicate the studio settings from Zach Arias's blog http://zackarias.com …torial-part-1-gear-space/ The $2K-$3K budget is strictly for the lighting gear and backdrop stands and softboxes etc.

By the way, your studio looks great...I have read all the links you posted above and still go back to it just to get more ideas.

No problem, thanks for the compliment.

I would look at getting some black foamcore 8x4 and just use them on the walls to the sides as a temporary measure.

If you can stop light bouncing back onto the scene you have greater control over your light.

It will also help prevent any colour casts.

I covered my walls with black fabric I purchased at Walmart that was only $1.00 per yard. Cost me about $25. I used my crown stapler to attach it to the studs.

KCMO Reefer wrote in post #13562669
I covered my walls with black fabric I purchased at Walmart that was only $1.00 per yard. Cost me about $25. I used my crown stapler to attach it to the studs.

Good idea.