dimensions for a studio?

My wife an I purchaced a new (to us) house just before christmas and we are thinking of extending the garage, what better use for an addition to the house than a studio!

I'm just after some ideas as to what size I might need this room to be a useful working space, It will most likely be used as office space with an area for a bit of portrature and small group photos

This idea is in it's early infancy (it came to me in a dream last night) so I don't know much more than what I written above.


Thanks

Jason

I have a white seamless on a PVC stand in my living room. The ceiling is 8 ft. and the working space is about 10x10. This is about the smallest one could get by with I would think. I've seen others recommend a minimum 9ft. height (for full-length portraits) and a minimum width of 14 ft. I would estimate a minimum of 10 ft. depth. It's sometimes tricky to not show the ceiling, and get the working distance I would like in my little space.

The bigger the better.

For length...
Allow 2-3' for backdrop
allow 5-6' between subject and backdrop, space to set b/g lights and to blur the b/g and not have shadows land on b/g
allow 2' for subject
allow 8-10' camera to subject typical distance, based upon most prevalent FL in use for studio portraiture
allow 2-4' camera and photographer to walk behind camera

Total: 19' - 25'

Height: 8' is restrictive better 10' or 12' ceiling

A 32mm lens captures an area 7' x 4.6' at subject distance of 10', perfect for full length standing or 3/4 length. At 15' (where the b/g is) the lens sees an area of 7' x 10.5', so you understand the reason for ceiling height to support a b/g sufficiently tall to not have its edges captured by the lens.

A 65mm lens captures an area of 3.4' x 2.2', which works for head and shoulders shot at 10', and at 15' at the background the lens will see 5.1' x 3.4'

So you can see how the style of portrait shot greatly influences the amount of space and size of backdrop needed. You can reduce the size of the backdrop by using a longer FL, but that brings a correspondingly long shooting space!

If you really want a space that can be used for portraiture and small groups figure 30x20x15 as a minimum.
You need space for the lights, as well as for other stuff that is going to have to be there, including room to move around. 15 feet is a minimum for ceiling height if you want to get the modifiers in the proper position without concern about banging into the work lights, etc. that will be up in the rafters.

30 feet of depth is really closer to a minimum. Remember that portraits, even full length portraits are better with longer lenses which means you need space. I did a shoot a week or so ago with full length and was using something around a 100mm on a 70-200 zoom. from camera to backdrop stands was probably close to 40 feet.

Here is a ling to a thread post with an image from the shoot for reference; https://photography-on-the.net …p=15680503&post​count=4070

Hi there, thanks for the info, the area i'm looking to build would be about 15-18 ft deep by 10-12 wide so maybe not ideal for a studio, but it would be a nice space to use for an entertaining area anyway
and something is better than nothing I guess

I think you might really regret building a room only 10 ft across. I think even 12 would be worlds more useful.

And I am talking inside dimensions, not outside dimensions which lose the thickness of the walls, drywall, etc. With 2x6 construction that is over a foot!

I have to agree that 12' would be a lot more useful then 10'. I shoot in an area that is 12' wide and it isn't great but it is workable. 10' would be a lot more difficult.

Also, keep in mind that is 12' interior wall which means with standard framing, sheetrock, etc you would be closer to a 13' wide exterior.

dmward wrote in post #15734514
If you really want a space that can be used for portraiture and small groups figure 30x20x15 as a minimum.

I'd say 20x30 is about right. I don't think you need a 15 foot ceiling but you'll certainly regret going any less than 10. Part of the key is using recessed lighting that doesn't hang down and get in your way.

Lord knows, plenty of fine portraits have been produced in much smaller spaces. But light stands, modifiers, props, chairs, costume changes and extra backdrops all have to go somewhere.

Curtis N wrote in post #15735164
I'd say 20x30 is about right. I don't think you need a 15 foot ceiling but you'll certainly regret going any less than 10. Part of the key is using recessed lighting that doesn't hang down and get in your way.

Lord knows, plenty of fine portraits have been produced in much smaller spaces. But light stands, modifiers, props, chairs, costume changes and extra backdrops all have to go somewhere.

Reason for suggesting 15 ft ceiling as minimum is to have room for modifiers around and above a person or group. 10ft ceiling offers very little room for getting a modifier above a standing 6 ft subject.

I've done many shoots in living rooms and made it work. But, if I'm planning an addition to my house for a studio, as the OP mentioned, I'd go for as much space as I could.

OP, you said garage so I didn't mention it, but maybe I should, make sure you have large door(s). And also, make sure the garage door tracks and opener rail are out of the way relative to the shooting space.

My minimums
ceiling- 12 ft
background to subject 8ft

I have a space 15' x 18.5' with 8 foot ceiling and recessed lights that I have set up. I am making use of an existing space. I did not build it with this in mind. It is pretty versatile and allows me to use a 9' or 10' backdrop on stands leaving room for lighting stands.

butterfly2937 wrote in post #15737178
I have a space 15' x 18.5' with 8 foot ceiling and recessed lights that I have set up. I am making use of an existing space. I did not build it with this in mind. It is pretty versatile and allows me to use a 9' or 10' backdrop on stands leaving room for lighting stands.

I've shot full length in a living room using 80" PLM modifiers, white background on stands with fill and kickers. I was under the dining room table with a 70-200. It can be done. Its not the way to build a studio.

Unless you shoot little people, it's almost all about the ceilings...

Just one question in relation to the ceilings, If I had an 8ft ceiling and it was painted in a non reflective paint of the same colour as the rear wall, would this show up in photos? Im thinking the rear wall would be something like 5-6ft behind the subject . . . just a thought . . .