If you intend to regularly shoot portraits or need more than a ring light, or are expanding beyond a ring light studio setup, a space in your home must be dedicated for use as your studio. Furthermore, basic equipment including camera, tripod, multiple lenses and photo editing software will be necessary in order to get started.
Natural Light
One of the key skills in photography is learning how to manipulate light. Lighting choices will have an enormous effect on everything from how well your photos turn out, to their composition, mood setting abilities and much more. Many professional photographers spend thousands on lighting for their studio, yet home studio photographers can still capture breathtaking shots using natural lighting alone.
Natural light from the sun varies greatly in intensity and quality, creating light that can vary greatly between moments. If you shoot during what’s known as “the golden hour” (the period shortly after sunrise and before sunset) for instance, its warm light produces soft shadows against your subject as opposed to midday sunshine that casts harsh shadows and causes uncomfortable glare.
Another variable to keep in mind when photographing people or product images on overcast days is whether or not the sun is shining directly overhead. On overcast days, the light will be soft and almost bluish in tone – ideal for portraiture of people as well as products requiring subdued colors schemes. On sunny days however, direct lighting creates harsh shadows or highlights and should therefore be avoided whenever possible.
Indoor photographers need a window with an unobstructed view of their subject or use a mirror with proper angles so the light does not reflect directly onto them. A painter’s drop cloth or another sheet of white or frosted plastic may help soften light through windows as an option as well.
Remembering how light changes over time when working with natural lighting is of utmost importance when creating beautiful natural images in your home studio. Clouds move across the sky, and as soon as the sun rises or sets it can shift from hard to soft light instantly. Acquainting yourself with its qualities at various times will enable you to master its qualities and produce beautiful, realistic-looking photographs in no time!
Light Modifiers
Light modifiers are devices designed to either focus or soften flash photography and help create the lighting you envision in your image. Depending on your desired mood, hard or soft modifiers such as grids may help concentrate the light into tight beams while umbrellas provide abundant and even lighting.
Your choice of modifier will depend heavily on what kind of photography you plan to do in your home studio. If you plan on shooting people primarily, soft modifiers are ideal to soften harsh shadows and produce an even glow on subjects; while for product photography a hard light with grid may provide better control of light exposure while keeping products focused.
There is a range of light modifiers on the market, and some cost more than others. Reflectors are generally the least costly solution – simply large pieces of white foam core designed to reflect light onto subjects from natural lighting sources – though you could also purchase continuous lighting kits including umbrellas and softboxes as an economical way to control light quality more directly.
Light modifiers come in all forms. A grid, for instance, focuses the light in a tight beam that can be attached to softboxes for more precise lighting. You can also buy snoots which produce similar results but are smaller for use in more confined areas. Another popular type is beauty dish lighting which uses dish-shaped devices mounted to studio strobes to direct direct lighting directly onto subjects – an effect you may have seen on celebrity portraits as it creates an ultra glamorous glow.
Other light modifiers include gels, which are colored sheets of paper that change the hue of light sources. Orange and red gels create warm tones while blue or green ones give cool ones. Gels can add interesting effects to images that truly set them apart from their peers.
Backdrops
No matter where your studio may be – be it the spare room, garage or even just in your bedroom – having a backdrop is an essential piece of equipment that helps bring your vision into existence. There are various home studio background options available such as seamless paper rolls, fabric and vinyl backdrops; choose versatile options with neutral colors or textural surfaces as this will allow multiple genres of photography. A reusable backdrop may also save both time and money in the long run.
Muslin backdrops are cost-effective solutions that are easy to set up and pack away, making them ideal for newborn and family portraits as well as creating more dramatic effects. For something truly distinctive, try painting canvas photo backgrounds; these types of photo backdrops create custom looks to help distinguish yourself from other photographers.
Paper backdrops offer a cost-effective and lightweight option; however, their limited durability means they should be protected with sturdy tripods and umbrellas to provide extra support.
Collapsible backdrops are also great options, being easily set up and collapsed away after each photo session. Ideal for beginners without much room in their homes, collapsible backdrops also make traveling much simpler as well as being portable enough to use in many different locations.
Black backdrops can help create darker scenes, and provide a great option for anyone who finds white backgrounds too bright or garish. LYLYCTY offers various sizes of black backdrops ranging from 8 x 6 feet (2.4×2.4 meters) up to 10x 20 feet (3×6 meters).
When selecting a backdrop, take into account your budget and space restrictions when making a selection. A reusable backdrop can last a lifetime; therefore it is crucial that a wise investment be made. Also keep weight into consideration; heavy fabrics like vinyl and canvas may prove cumbersome when moving around, while lightweight options like muslin or painted floor drops may prove easier to manage.
Props
Home studio photography has become increasingly popular during this pandemic, particularly among freelancers unable to afford rent. Home studio photography provides freelancers with an efficient means of saving money while remaining flexible while still meeting client demands for images quickly. But how can one set up and ensure its effectiveness? Here are a few key tips.
As a beginner photographer, it’s crucial to identify your goals and what images you intend to capture. Doing this will allow you to decide the most effective lighting setup and props, while also simplifying finding appropriate equipment.
An essential piece of any home studio photography set-up, a good quality tripod is essential for long-exposure photographs and compositional shots. A tripod with sturdy bases, adjustable height settings and quick release plates is best; remote shutter releases also come in handy so that photos can be taken without touching your camera directly.
Lenses are essential in creating a home photo studio and you may require multiple lenses. A wide-angle lens is great for capturing wider scenes while prime or zoom lenses will let you capture close-up shots. When choosing lenses for your studio space and how much zooming in and out you require (i.e. 70-200mm lens may not work in smaller environments).
Other items you will require for photography sessions include a makeup station, changing area for models and storage solutions for the props you will be using. Blackout curtains may also come in handy to block out ambient light for more dramatic shots.
Home studio photography requires the use of tethering cables that enable instantaneous viewing and evaluation of your images on a computer screen, providing instant feedback on sharpness, colour balance, composition, etc. You can then utilize photo editing software if additional adjustments need to be made.