HELP Working in Small Spaces - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF

01/07/2008 10:13:15 AM · #1

Anyone out there have and tips or suggestions for working in small spaces? I've setup a studio in my basement (developed by the previouse owners) and have about a 20-30 square foot area to work in. I've got a set of 4 alien bees (the stands take up space) and I've got backdrops on a bar and stands that take up a few feet into the room.

What would you do to make sure you're still getting great shots (mine seem to come off too bright almost no mater what I seem to do.

pawdrix

Nikon D700

01/07/2008 10:18:44 AM · #2

That sounds like a 6'x5' space?

I believe even on the lowest power setting your room is to small for shooting almost anything. One light alone will blast the hell out of that room

What are you trying shoot?

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

01/07/2008 10:20:25 AM · #3

people usually... wish I had a pic of the space, but alas... for reference, I'd liken it to a small livingroom type of space

ETA: I'm much more comfortable doing outdoor stuff, but I'm getting asked to do indoor stuff much more often now. Wish I could rent a studio space but that's far too expensive where I live

Message edited by author 2008-01-07 10:22:29.

Strikeslip

Canon EOS-5D

01/07/2008 11:07:24 AM · #4

Originally posted by pawdrix:

Heh, my guess is that he means 20'x30' = 600 square feet. My closet is bigger than 6'x5'. :-)

pineapple

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

01/07/2008 11:11:16 AM · #5

Origami is a useful inspiration in such situations. Living in a dense place like NYC one learns a certain style of urban origami. The space suggests portraits - heads - rather than bodies. Unless you bend the bodies upwards... Am I joking? Not really. The space is limiting - but in a way it can be an interesting challenge and even an inspiration.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

01/07/2008 11:41:52 AM · #6

A small place can be very limiting and can make some types of portrait work downright impossible. But think about this -- your "studio" is as large as your apartment/home/etc. Do you have a sofa? You can shoot there. A bed can make a nice posing platform. How about using a kitchen table like a school desk. Your portraits don't necessarily require a backdrop, but if you wish to use one you can move it around your home too.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

01/07/2008 11:51:29 AM · #7

Originally posted by idnic:

Trust me... need the backdrop... behind that is some 'great' (please read extreme sarcasm) 70's style wood paneling... yet to be removed

_eug

Nikon D50

01/07/2008 12:07:52 PM · #8

Originally posted by Eyesup:

Originally posted by idnic:
A small place can be very limiting and can make some types of portrait work downright impossible. But think about this -- your "studio" is as large as your apartment/home/etc. Do you have a sofa? You can shoot there. A bed can make a nice posing platform. How about using a kitchen table like a school desk. Your portraits don't necessarily require a backdrop, but if you wish to use one you can move it around your home too.

Trust me... need the backdrop... behind that is some 'great' (please read extreme sarcasm) 70's style wood paneling... yet to be removed

What she's saying is use every space you got. Don't be limited in your thinking.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/07/2008 12:14:21 PM · #9

Originally posted by _eug:

Originally posted by Eyesup:

Originally posted by idnic:
A small place can be very limiting and can make some types of portrait work downright impossible. But think about this -- your "studio" is as large as your apartment/home/etc. Do you have a sofa? You can shoot there. A bed can make a nice posing platform. How about using a kitchen table like a school desk. Your portraits don't necessarily require a backdrop, but if you wish to use one you can move it around your home too.

Trust me... need the backdrop... behind that is some 'great' (please read extreme sarcasm) 70's style wood paneling... yet to be removed

What she's saying is use every space you got. Don't be limited in your thinking.

good point... thanks!

Kaveran

Canon EOS-50D

01/08/2008 10:07:05 AM · #10

Originally posted by Eyesup:

What kind of light modifiers are you using? Sounds like you may be having a lot of extra light bouncing around. You can probably get a bit more control of that using snoots, grids etc. Perhaps you can hange some black cloth on your non-backdrop walls to reduce errant light etc.