How to Set Up a Basic Photography Studio

The most important feature of a basic photography studio is the lighting. How much you spend is up to you, but it’s not necessary to spend a fortune to get good portraits. An 800 Strobe light with sync cord such as the one sold by alienbees.com is sufficient for the main light. You will need a light stand of course, and they will advise you on this. Or you could use ordinary tungsten shop lights of 150 Watts. Two minor lights are needed apart from your main light; three in all.

Set one light on either side of the camera - shining on the subject of course. These should be your main light and the fill light. The other light should be above and behind the subject, so that the light is shining either on the back of the hair or on the wall behind. The light needs to be reflected onto the back of the subject. Have the lights as close to the subject as you can without it being uncomfortable. Lights are hot, so always be aware of safety precautions.

You can get a softbox and the fitting to attach it to the light, or you can make do with a 52 inch white umbrella – no, not the one belonging to Gran, but a shoot-thru. Adorama.com have one for under $75.00. Otherwise sheets of white cardboard or foam will do. Another trick for diffusing is to suspend some thin, white fabric in front of the light. You’ll need some clamps and gaffer tape, a horizontal rod and a couple of stands to hold it all up.

Apart from lighting, you’ll need a few props. Some chairs and a stool or two would be a good start. Not ordinary kitchen chairs. Have something that will look a bit classy in a photo. You could probably pick up something at a sale, but make sure it doesn’t look dumpy or have wide arms. If you have a family portrait to do, the arms will be in the way of posing the subjects close together. The stool is good for sitting shorter people or kids on in a group, if they would be too low otherwise.

Background is another thing that will make or break your photo. You don’t want an old brick wall or paint coming off in flakes. Set up a curtain rod and have several different kinds of curtains to pull across. If you are creative, you could paint some fun backgrounds, but keep it fairly simple, otherwise it will detract from the subject. Flooring is another necessary item, even if it’s just for looks. If you want to become a pro, don’t expect people to come back once they see a raw cement floor in a shed. Make it look attractive with a piece of carpet.

Last but not least – apart from your camera equipment, of course – is a light meter. It will save you valuable time if you can get a light reading quickly and know exactly what lens and settings you need on your camera. With this basic equipment you should be able to take some really good portraits.