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You can convert any room into a photo studio in an hour or less. Further, you can turn the room back into the room it was before. Many photographers do this in their homes or in their apartment or even their dorm room. All you need is your camera and a few items.
Minimum Required for Indoor Photo Studio:
- space
- model or subject
- camera, digital, or
- camera and film
- natural light source via window
- artificial light source, via flash or strobe
- light meter
Indoor Photo Studio Preferred Equipment:
The photo studio is best empty. All you want is the open space so that you can photograph your model as she poses. I have done this in several apartments or houses throughout the years. If you have a room which is about 10 feet by 8 feet, that is a large enough space. You can actually do it with less space, although the more space you have, the easier it is to work in and move around.
Preferred items include:
- the room
- nothing in the room is preferred but not necessary
- a wall
- a window for natural light
- an electrical outlet if you use strobes
- a cloth backdrop, or,
- paper backdrop
- duct tape
- backdrop support
- strobe light
- reflective umbrella
- umbrella stand
- tripod
- wide angle lens and/or
- telephoto lens
- camera, of course
- model or subject to shoot
Flip the Bed Up Against the Wall or Use It to Pose on
If you have furniture in the room, move it to one side of the room if you can. If there are any chairs that you can temporarily move out of the room, do so. I used to have a king sized bed in the room which I would flip up and lean against the wall. It took ten seconds and a little energy.
If you have the backdrop stand, set it up and either hang your backdrop cloth on it or hang your paper roll on it. Pull it out about six or eight feet on the side opposite the wall, ie, toward the middle of the room where you are going to shoot from.
Set up your umbrella or umbrellas. Frankly, all you need is one light and one umbrella. Yes, you do not need five lights as you are often told. Most of my best photos were shot using only one light and one umbrella. Sometimes, I used two. As I will always remind you, there is only one sun in the sky. That one source of light does a very wonderful job.
Extend the Umbrella to the Ceiling
Extend the umbrella stand as high as it will go so that the umbrella is right beneath the ceiling. Obviously, be aware of any ceiling lights and do not get too close. Ask your model to stand as close to the wall as she can, on top of the paper or backdrop, as you take a flash meter reading of the light.
If you do not have an umbrella or light, it’s ok – open the curtains and let the light in and use the natural light. There should be plenty during the day, even if its low.
Conclusion
Do not concern yourself if there is low light. Work with what you have. Turn on the music and ask your model to smile and pose as you take your photos. When you are through with the photo session, simply take down all of your equipment, being careful with the paper backdrop paper so you can re-use it next time. You now have your first photo studio session.