Lens suggestions for small studio

Here are pictures of the completed room. Thanks for all the replies, folks! In picture 1, it's ~13' from the chimney to the window.

1. facing north west

I don't think the area near the window is usable. You need room on either side of your subject to place lights and, importantly, no walls near the subject where a cross light can reflect off.

The corner architectural feature. You can virtually drop straight lines from where they meet the the ceiling, straight down... that space won't be too usefull, imo.

bohdank wrote in post #7276180
that space won't be too usefull, imo.

Oh, I wouldn't call it totally useless These are a few of my wife from tonight (full disclosure, a friend of mine snapped these and was OK w/ me sharing)

1.

No, not totally useless but you can only take so many 1/2 body shots up against a brick backdrop with 1 light from camera right.

Nice shots.

Not to make your signature prophetic, but we did do full body shots on a background with 2 lights. Just didn't post 'em (on my buddies memory card). Where I will certainly be limited is multiple people. Family portraits with more than 2 people are out.

ps. these were with a Canon 24-70 on a 5D.

Was that in the area in Pic #3. camera right, subject, left ?

Yes, all these shots are from the #3 facing east vantage point. We also did some work facing where that rocking horse is with a black backdrop.

Most portrait photographers with experience will try to keep a backdrop at least six feet behind the subject(s). They also will try to keep at least six to eight feet between the camera and the subject(s).

I don't see how you are going to be able to get the distances I've described in the space you've shown us and still have room to position lighting, etc. Those ceiling corners are going to seriously get in the way of positioning lighting equipment.

As bohdank said, you'll get very tired of working right against the bricks as a backdrop with no ability to control the shadows falling on the backdrop.

My recommendation is to use the space you've shown us in a different way and find another location for a portrait studio. If you have a decent sized garage, that may be a lot better space for portrait work.

About the only practical way I could see your using the space you've shown us for photography would be for tabletop photography and/or a place for your computer to do photo editing.

Using the garage is out, I live in Wisconsin

mrludecrs wrote in post #7440963
Using the garage is out, I live in Wisconsin

So do I (Grafton), but for anything serious in the way of portrait work, our attached garage is my choice. It's the only way I can get enough space for my lighting equipment and required distances between camera/subject/backgro​und. I can heat the garage with a forced-air kerosene heater if I really need to use it as a studio in the winter.

I use an area in my basement for table-top photography, but it's way too small for portrait work and it's got more clear space than the area you showed us.

You are going to run into unflattering distortion if you're shooting at wider focal lengths.

Yah, detached drafty garage built in the 20's with the original cob webs and oil stains. Add in the smell of kerosene... not so much (garage is small in size to boot). My first floor might be a better opportunity. 9'5" ceilings and 25' long. Only problem is I have nowhere to go with a dining room table and the other furniture. Well, I'm going to give the attic a few more chances and I'll post what I come up with. I hope I prove you all wrong!!! LOL

Lets be a bit realistic here...mrludecrs is using the space he has to its best advantage and kudos to him..Not everyone has the luxury of a barn sized studio.. It's a case of realising your limitations..

In the '80s I had a permanent studio in my home measuring 22' x 15' x 10' high ceilings.. I did some of my best work there..