Setting Up Your Own Photo Studio

There are three basic things that you need for setting up own photo studio. Though they are probably pretty obvious, they are as crucial as they are simple. First you will need a large room with enough space to set up your background and the camera which should be about twelve feet from the spot. Your background can be anything from a white sheet to an enlarged (or life-sized) photo of a location. This location could be realistic ("London's Picadilly Circus") or suggestive (under a tree in a meadow). You should have a frame (which you could build or purchase) that supports the hanging of your backgrounds and--depending on your budget--a pulley or winch system that can raise and lower them on command. If you use simple solid fabrics, make sure they are clean and well-kept as any dirt, stains, or even lint can (and probably will) show up on camera. Read the rest of the article to find out more about Setting up your own photo studio.

The second thing you will need is appropriate lighting and rigging. If you can get your hands on some professional equipment than this part is actually quite easy, but for the more frugal photographer you can makeshift your equipment using standard household items until it comes time for an upgrade.

You will need lamps with dimmers, shutters, and diffusers (which can be controlled through a simple computer system, or manually using hinged covers, templates and lenses).

You will also need a flash (which alone is actually relatively inexpensive) that you can separate from the camera so as to direct light. Reflectors also help you direct the light and you can actually use umbrellas and the dash protector from your car to aid you in this aspect.

Finally--and some might argue that this is actually the most important component--you will need a professional camera with a stand. Fortunately for the layperson, digital cameras are becoming more and more accessible as they reach their megapixel limit.

If you are starting your studio, you might get by with a higher-end digital with standard resolution and zoom options, but for truly masterful photography you will have to eventually move to a "single lens reflex" (SLR) camera which allows you interchangeable lenses. Whether you use digital or traditional film is up to you as they their differences can be subjective.

However, the major difference is that traditional film gives you the freedom to improve quality through lighting and angle, while digital is more stable and is easier to edit, print, and distribute (because there is no need to "develop" it).

These are the fine points of setting up your own photo studio. If you have access to a majority of this equipment in your own home (the room probably being the most difficult to come by), then you should have no trouble getting started. Again, the rigs and stands are probably some things you could make with everyday materials until you can afford professional quality equipment. Outside of the camera and the lamps, you won't need anything special to get started, so go for it!