A
photo studio is a space wherein professional photo shoots take place. Most are
equipped with backdrops, professional shooting lights, grips and mounts.
A studio may have more than one shooting space. Based on requirement the
photographer can choose a space and the client’s art director can decide the
creative approach for the shoot. The
photos need to mainly carry his camera and lens kit on the day of shoot, unless
he is hiring that as well. Some studios have experienced in-house
photographers. A typical photography shooting space consists of an expansive
room with white bare walls. Ideally, the floor should be concrete and painted
with industrial grade white paint. As most of the equipment is electrical,
carpets and rugs are avoided in the floor space. Some studios are just
warehouses. In there, fabric or acrylic backdrops are set up. The studio should
not have a problem of outside lights slithering inside through windows, doors
or crevices. This can affect lighting conditions severely and spoil the output.
Three umbrella
lights or soft boxes can easily fit into a professional studio space. This is
the average requirement light source, which create the continuous lighting
‘temperature’ for product shoots. You can adjust height of the lamp, tilt and
swivel the light stands accordingly to your shot. Flash or strobe lights are
activated with the remote. You can synchronize this with the shots with the
configuration of the shutter button. This is all due to the IR sensor and the
connectivity with wireless strobes. There are ring flashes available too which
can put around the lens.
Studios will
also be equipped with lots of extra lights, batteries, light tents, light
stands, tripods, ladders, fans, extension chords and plug points for your use.
There are also sturdy trusses (metal frames) in studios to suspend lights from
above as well. Depending on the scale of the studio the number and the size
will differ.
A stage area or
raised platform may also exist in some shoot floors. Others will have acrylic
or fabric backdrop suspended from trusses above and which can roll down and
spread out across the floor. Studios may or may not supply reflectors, cutters,
gel papers, butter papers, thermocol sheets, white balance card etc. These will
also be charged in the total studio package.
It is always
necessary for the client to visit the studio for race or do a virtual tour before
the actual shoot. If he already works for the studio or owns it, then things
are a lot easier. A good working environment is very important to deliver
quality output. There can be no compromise with regard to the ambience, the
facilities and the equipment at hand. To pull off a successful photo shoot
studio conveniences are essential. It is important to have all the best
resources to complement one’s talent. A proper studio with a professional set
up and assistant / attendants can add a lot of production value.
In addition,
apart from studio spaces, there are also photography firms that call themselves
photography studios. This is another word for a photography agency as well.
Therefore, while booking a studio shoot floor one must be sure of what one is
booking.
