Create a Home Photo Studio for Less

You have that camera that you want to use, but you are by no means a professional and do not need a professional type studio. There are plenty of alternatives.

Steps

Tripods and Supports

1. Have a tripod.
2. Locate a portable table top that can be used as a place to anchor your camera.
   • When using something like this, it is a good idea to use a remote or an automatic timer. That way you will get less movement.

Lighting

1. Set your studio close to a large window or a glass door for natural lighting.
2. Do not depend on your camera's built in flash, which will create a harsh light.
3. Use various types of home lighting setups like floor lamps, swing arm lamps, etc.

Studio

1. Optimally, find an unused corner to set it up for photographs.
2. You will want to watch out for shadows created by your lighting.
3. Be aware that the setup will change (which is the beauty of it) depending on what you are going to shoot.

Surfaces

1. Take stock of what you have at home that you can use.
   • Dining room table
   • Extra coffee or end table
2. Look at it with an eye to what it can be used for in your studio.
   • The table with a tablecloth on it
   • Your furniture, like ottomans, reclining chairs, etc
3. Try your pet furniture. Your kitty condo (providing that it isn't too big) would work wonderfully.

Backdrops

1. Check out your linen closet for the presence of any 'backdrops' . Sheets will never work, because there any wrinkles will show, and so will the weave of the sheets. But a blanket might work nicely.
2. Use your wall if it is something other than stark white.
3. Know that there are different types of 'setups'.
   • Macro photography
   • Pet Photography
   • Portraiture
4. Take a sheet of large paper or polypropylene, tape it to a box, and put what you are wanting to photograph on it. (This works best for 'still life' photography.

Tips

• If you are the type to get involved with groups or forums, there are DIY forums everywhere. Use your favorite search engine and do a search for "cheap, photo, studio". Even if you don't want to join a forum (some can be quite large), there is no shortage of ideas to be found there.

Warnings

• You may find your studio growing and growing...right out of its 'corner'. Your significant other might get a tad upset with you.

Related Articles

• Design a Photography Studio
• Build a Photography Studio
• Use Portrait Professional Studio 10

Sources and Citations

See also

• Make a Custom Bokeh