Featured Article

Make your own studio - part one

Make your own studio - Take great studio shots without spending a fortune

You may think you need lots of expensive equipment and a fancy light set up to get a decent studio shot however this is not true. In this months issue we take you through tricks of the trade, the short cuts, so you can take great indoor studio shots, all in the comfort of your own home.

Studio photography is all about lighting so although a top lighting rig will provide impressive results this can also be true with a little improvisation with lights from around the home and some basic photographic equipment. Learning how to use these items with some fundamental knowledge is where we come in handy and by the end of this six page tutorial guide you will have gained the necessary skills to capture excellent studio shots.

Setting the space - No need for an expensive studio…

It is all about improvisation! Adapt what you have around the home in order to get the necessary shot.

Professional background drops always look impressive however, in reality they take up a lot of space, are expensive and there are many other cheaper options to utilise. Card and material can be dropped into the background simply by pinning it up. Lighting need not be an issue as natural light or lamps from around the home can be excellent resources. 

To set up your own studio space there are a number of different items that can come in handy. Tin foil, cardboard boxes, pieces of material and props can all be adapted to fit into your living space and undoubtedly the most useful piece of home studio equipment is a roll of sticky tape!

Whether you want to photograph an item to sell on the internet or you want to try to get some family portraits than follow these easy steps and you may be surprised at just how professional you can make them look.

Checklist- what you will need

Camera -Whether you have a DSLR or a compact camera all these shots are achievable.

Light sources - A mixture of different light sources can be acquired throughout the home.

Tripod - As indoor lighting is usually dim a tripod is a must have accessory.

Background drops can be fastened out of card or material. 

Props can be a great way to jazz up portrait shots. 

Flashgun -Flash can be an effect tool for creating even light however it is a hard art to master. 

Selecting the right background

The right choice of background is vital to the shot depending on what type of atmosphere you want to create. Remember some backgrounds will absorb the light and some will reflect it and this makes a difference to your exposure. If possible than meter the background separately so you have more control over the final result. Backgrounds can be made from a variety of materials however in these examples we have simply used pieces of card and pinned them up. This is an incredibly simple technique to use and can produce some fantastic results.

A white background is the first choice for any natural looking shot. A good tip if you want your background to be completely white than light the backdrop heavily from both sides as well as lighting the model. The background metering will read overexposed compared to the model however this is what you want.
   
A dark black background can be seductive and encapsulating to use and can produce some intense results as black creates atmosphere. To get the full effect of the black do not light it heavily as you do not want it to turn grey.

Coloured backgrounds can be harder to use but can give significance to the image. For example red is a very poignant colour and represents many things including passion and love. With coloured backgrounds remember to consider the models complexions.  

Move away from the norm. For fashion shots or something futuristic than a gold or silver background like this one can produce some great results and can complement eccentric costumes or make-up.  

White balance - How to set the WB

In colour photography than the white balance or WB as it is abbreviated to, needs to be set depending on what light source you are using. This setting is not just found on a DSLR model as many top end compacts include a WB mode so it is worth looking through the menu options. A good trick and top tip is if you can’t get the white balance right then change your images to black and white.

The WB can be applied to a variety of light sources. The trick is to look through the menu options on your camera and select the closest setting to what you are shooting in. 

Part two of this tutorial to follow later in the week...

Return to features archive »