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

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.

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

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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

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...

Headshotzx wrote in post #8711936
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

mcluckie wrote in post #8711939
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.

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!

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

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

TMR Design wrote in post #8713329
When I was in school the focus was on having a large and powerful stereo. TV wasn't at all a priority.

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

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

TMR Design wrote in post #8713329
When I was in school the focus was on having a large and powerful stereo. TV wasn't at all a priority.

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

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.

Wilt wrote in post #8713484
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

fivegallon wrote in post #8713487
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>

Wilt wrote in post #8713492
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)