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Forums > Photography Talk > Studio Information Reference

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Kevin_Connery

Posts: 3307

Fullerton, California, US

STUDIO SETUPS

Threads and articles related to setting up a studio, or studio-related threads, other than lighting-related.

(Lighting issues are compiled in the Lighting, Flash, Ring, & Battery Strobe Reference thread.)

Contents

Existing Studios for Rent

Studio Articles on the Net

MM Studio threads

General Studio threads
Home or Garage Studio Setup
Home or Garage Studio Legal/Social Issues
Alternatives to Studios

Backgrounds, Sets, and Props

General Background threads
General Sets and Props threads
Seamless Paper
Muslins and Canvas
Cycloramas / Infinity Walls / Coves
Setting up for Pure White / Pure Black

Hardware and Equipment Issues

Camera Supports & Tripods
Grip Gear (Stands and supports)
  Booms
  Background Supports
MM Threads-Other Accessories

Online Background and Prop Vendors

Jun 21 08 12:57 am Link

Jun 21 08 12:57 am Link

Retoucher

Kevin_Connery

Posts: 3307

Fullerton, California, US

On the 'Net

Photoshop template for lighting setups from Kevin Kertz available here

The online Lighting Diagram Creator, a studio/lighting layout generator.

Archive of the "Show us YOUR Studio" thread (150+ pages) from the Fred Miranda forums. (Seems to have gone offline. The original forum thread is here.)

Flickr’s Studio Setup photos

Strobox iPhone app for making lighting diagrams.

(Last updated 11/7/2010)


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Jun 21 08 12:57 am Link

Retoucher

Kevin_Connery

Posts: 3307

Fullerton, California, US

MM Studio threads

General Studio Threads

If you were to start a studio or have one (what would you have in it. 150+ posts)
New studio. What would you have?
studio lighting and setup question (What do I need?)
Studio ..... (What do I need?)
studio paint color
Models, a studio dressing room wish list? (What items do models want in a dream dressing room?)
Can someone learn me on V-Flats?
My new studio setup (Custom folding shooting table)
Homemade light modifiers.here's what works for me (5+ pages of ideas/examples. Mostly lights, but some studio stuff too.)

Show Your Studio

Archive of the "Show us YOUR Studio" thread (150+ pages) from the Fred Miranda forums. (Seems to have gone offline. The original forum thread is here.)

Show off your studio!
show us your studio set up (6+ pages)
Photos of your apartment studio
Pics of your studio?
Let's see your studio...

Home or Garage Studio Setups

How to build an in-home studio on a budget.
Taking the plunge... Garage Studio
Turning apartment to my studio!
The Apartment "Studio"
Small Studio?
10' x 40' Studio Size... too narrow?
Shooting at your home (Pros and Cons)
Home studio owners, does it work?
How much room does a home studio need?
In-home photo studios for fashion
Photos of your apartment studio
Building a small studio... advice? (Construction details converting garage)

Home or Garage Studio Legal/Social Issues

Home studio hassles? (Social & Legal issues)
photogs who shoot at home (Model perspectives)
Photographers With Home Studios(Model Question)
Photographers working from thier homes (Models’ views)
Home Studio...Safety? (Avoiding theft/robbery)
Dont be ashamed right? (…of shooting at home)
home studio?!?! what will the people say??? (Making the Home Studio experience more appealing)
Home Studio Shooters (Issues when shooting models?)
Independant Studio vs Home Studio

General Industry > Inviting models to shoot at your IN HOME studio.
General Industry > Is your studio at your home? (3+ pages)

Model Matters > Just turned down because of my home studio
Model Matters > photogs who shoot at home (3+ pages)
Model Matters > Shooting in the Photogs Home, What are you views? (4+ pages)
Model Matters > Photographers With Home Studios(Model Question) (3+ pages)

Studio Alternatives

Studios are hard to find and expensive
No studio, suggestions? (where to shoot)

(Last updated 1/5/2016)

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Jun 21 08 12:57 am Link

Retoucher

Kevin_Connery

Posts: 3307

Fullerton, California, US

Backgrounds, Sets, and Props

See also Background Support section in the Hardware and Equipment post below

General Background Threads

Backdrops on budget.
home made backdrop, what kind of paint can I use ?
Creative Background Ideas
Portable lighting...and maybe portable backdrops
Portable Backgrounds
Help! Seamless paper bg alternatives (and transporting long rolls)

MM Threads-Sets and Props

Set design
Show us your Sets
Cheaper ways to construct a set? (Construction and lighting tips)
props, backdrops, sets (Source for 3D brick backgrounds)
Building Sets?
building backgrounds in your home/home studio
Building sets on the cheap
Your most elaborate "in studio" prop set-up...
Stages, Sets and Props
Essential Studio Props.
Inexpensive Props
Studio Props - what should I have?
What's a good resource for props for shoots? Studio props?
Building Sets

Muslin vs Canvas vs Seamless Paper

Backgrounds: Muslin vs Paper
Paper vs Cotton backgrounds (Which is better for fashion and glam?)
best background - paper or muslin?
Backdrops: paper vs muslin vs cotton
Seamless paper or muslin for shooting models?

Seamless Paper

Keeping your white seamless paper clean and white (Extending paper life)
Help! Seamless paper bg alternatives (and transporting long rolls)

Colors
Seamless Paper Colors (With MANY example of gels on black/white/gray backgrounds)
Best Studio Background colour to use?
What color for my first Seamless Roll Paper???
What color paper for backgrounds? (Gray, black, white)
GRAY seamless paper - how dark

Size
Seamless Paper Questions (How wide for 3 people)
Seamless Background Paper (What colors, how wide, and how do you use)
Seamless Paper Backdrop rolls (in-between sizes)
53" Backgrounds Do They Work (for 3/4 length shots)

Muslins and Canvas

Muslin backgrounds w/ fold lines (Eliminating fold lines on NEW muslins)
Smoothing out wrinkles on a muslin backdrop
What Color Muslin for What Type of...
Painting muslin or canvas backgrounds... Help! (How to)
Where can i find cheap BACKDROPS
Anyone use Backdrop Outlet? (Vendor recommendations)
making your own muslin backdrops...question(s)
how to de-wronkle muslin

Smooth transitions and floors

Seamless paper setups? (Setting up over carpet)
Tips for shooting Semaless paper (Avoiding holes)
Different quality paper for backgrounds? (Ripples and unevenness)
plexiglass "flooring" over seamless paper ?
Reflective flooring
Keeping your white seamless paper clean and white (Extending paper life)

Cycloramas / Infinity Walls / Coves

Anyone use a portable cyclorama?
Infinity back grounds...building one
Building an infinity wall
'Infinity wall' build (Part 1—construction)
Infinity wall construction update & Big Bend, TX (Part 2—follow-up)
Cyclorama Wall? (How-to tips)
Cyc wall build (Finishing the final seam to the floor)
Time Lapse Movie of Seamless Cove Construction

Setting up for Pure White / Pure Black
(Also see Lighting Techniques in the Lighting, Flash, Ring, & Battery Strobe Reference thread.)

White background - what to use?
Super white back drop (Lighting to make a pure white background)
Black Black backgrounds (Getting a true black)
lil help, lighting for a black background. (Keeping it black)
Best Black Blackdrops?

(Last updated 11/28/2009)

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Jun 21 08 12:57 am Link

Retoucher

Kevin_Connery

Posts: 3307

Fullerton, California, US

Hardware and Equipment Issues

Camera Supports & Tripods

How important is a Tripod? (2+ pages)
Do You Ever Use Your Tripod for Models? (3+ pages)

Tripods

Inexpensive Tripod Options for my 20D?
A Great Tri-Pod at a decent price? ($100-$150)
heavy duty , strong tripod..your experiences? (for backpacking)
Tripod ques... (Difference between $20 tripod and $200 tripod)
Tripod Favorites
Which Tripod to buy?
Tripod (Medium size for travel)
ball head and tripod
What tripod should I buy?


Tripod Heads

Tripod heads
Ball Heads
getting good head (Which tripod head to get)
Ball Head (ballhead) recommendations.

Grip Gear (Light stands and supports)

I need a "portable/travel" light stand
Light stands.... Any favorites?
where can I get cheap light stands?
C stands
Calumet C stands vs Matthews
light stands recommendation
Sturdy lighting stand outdoors... (Keeping stands from falling over)
Sandbags
Sandbags -- dumb question (Where to get, how heavy)
My ghetto light stands (DIY Background stands)
Adapter to connect cir reflector to light stand?

Booms
Boom arms?
Boom arm options
Boom arm (Supporting ~10 lbs)
Safe Boom?
Boom arm suggestions sought
Red Wing owners (Photo and connection questions)
How much counter weight on boom stand
Specialized light stand? (Dedicated wheeled boom stand)
Boom Stand Experience Wanted (for B800 strobe & 22” dish)

Background Supports
Best,new,cheap,easily portable background stands
Alternative to background paper stands??
Hanging background paper
paper backgrounds without a background stand? (How to support)
What height do you like your background racks?
How do you hang your seamless?

Other Studio Accessories

Jewelry Photography question (DIY Shooting table)
Smoke machine
fog, fog, glorious fog (Generating fog on location)
The best way to shoot smoke??? (Getting and lighting smoke)
Fog Machines - any cautionary advice?
Fog Machine - anyone have experience with? (Chauvet Hurricane F-800)
hair fan
Boom Mounted Fan

(Last updated 10/11/2010)

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Jun 21 08 01:15 am Link

Retoucher

Kevin_Connery

Posts: 3307

Fullerton, California, US

BACKDROP AND PROP VENDORS on the ‘Net

Artistic Illusions
Aura Backdrops Muslin & canvas backgrounds, and props
Back to Back Design Works Custom 3D Props and backgrounds/sets.
Backdrop Alley - sells napped fabric backgrounds
Backdrop Outlet Canvas, Muslin, seamless paper, and props.
Backdrop Source – Canvas, Muslin seamless paper, and some specialty backdrops. Inexpensive.
Backdrops Fantastic Hand-painted, themed backdrops. Rental and sales. Very expensive.
backdrops.us Inexpensive muslins
Backgrounds by Bonnie
Backgrounds by David Maheu Some very nice muslins and canvas.
Esther Beitzel's Photo Backgrounds Canvas, Muslin, Featherlite, custom painting available.
Broderson Backdrops (Mostly rentals)
C and M Backdrops (Mostly rentals)
Chicago Canvas : raw material for photo and stage. Good selection of duvetyne and similar
Creative Backdrops
Creative Elements - Product and food props
Denny Studio – one of the oldest and most established backdrop manufacturer/vendors. Canvas, Muslin, Popups, Props, Custom computer-printed backdrops, supports, 3D props and sets...
Dreamworld Backdrops Handpainted and custom backdrops
Dozens of Muslins
Drop it MODERN (Specialty fabric backdrops, including damasks)
Eclipse Backgrounds Photorealistic backdrops, including from your images. (Seems to be down…)
FJ Westcott Muslins and pop-up backdrops
Foamway Custom props
J. Galt Design Theatrical backdrops, primarily rentals.
Homespun Wide Fabrics -raw materials
Horizon Backgrounds Muslin, pop-ups, seamless paper, graduated seamless
Mark Hunt Backdrops (Mostly rentals)
Kristian Industries - Misc backdrops. Based in Canada.
JL Originals Larry Peter’s senior props. Expensive.
MGI Studio - Sets and props (Sale or rentals, but the website hasn’t been updated since 2007)
Muslins Cheap .com Owens Original's discount line
New Creation Photo Supply Muslin, props, prop sets, costumes
Owens Originals - Canvas and Muslin backdrops
PhotographicBackdrop.com
Photo Tech Motorized backdrop supports, Muslins, Seamless paper, photo-seamless (bricks, granite, textured)
Photo Showcase (closed sad ) - Elegant backgrounds by Rick and Terry Larson (Beautiful work)
ProBackdrops – muslin and digital backdrops
ProCyc Custom cyclorama panel system
Pro Studio Supply Studio supplies, including backdrops and props (and albums, lights, frames, novelties, and...)
Rose Brand - Lots of theatrical materials, backdrops and such.
Set Shop Props, raw materials, seamless, muslins, etc.
Signature Muslin Backgrounds - Russ and Ann Martinez. Canvas and Muslin backdrops
Silverlake Photo/Photo4u2 on eBay) Muslins, props, lights, accessories.
Studio Dynamics Backdrops Canvas, Muslin, Pop-ups. Some props.
Tanner Backgrounds Canvas and Muslin
Garrison Wagner Company - Theme elements/sets and seamless, mostly.
Won Backgrounds Canvas, Muslin, and Pop-ups. I've got two of their 'drops, a brown and a blue/gray.



Seamless Paper Manufacturers
(See what’s available before ordering.)

Savage Seamless Paper
Superior Seamless
Calumet Seamless Paper

(Last updated 5/1/2015)

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Jun 21 08 01:16 am Link