building a studio

[mschuur]

woohoo! i finally talked my hubby into letting me build a studio where his 'expanded garage' was to go. {insert happy dance} why am i moving, you may ask. well, my landlord is selling the building where my current studio is. why am i not buying from him? well, it's a very old building that needs MASSIVE work to be done {new roofing, all new electrical, insane about of painting + remodeling} plus the amount he is looking to get out of it is CRAZY !!!!

but before i start building {my idea of building is telling the contractor what i want }, i thought i would ask you guys a question ...

if you could build your own studio, how would you design it? where would you place your windows or would you have globe skylights with dimmers? how high do you think the ceiling should be? what colors would you paint the walls {my current studio is white}. how would you hang your backdrops?

we're not made of money, so i do have limitations ... but if you could build your dream studio WITHOUT having to worry about money, i would really enjoy hearing what you would do! please feel free to share your ideas and thank you in advance.

melissa

[scootermcq]

Drool...... cyc wall..... wipe chin..... 20' ceilings...... giggle....

[oldwolf]

Originally Posted by scootermcq

Drool...... cyc wall..... wipe chin..... 20' ceilings...... giggle....

Have to agree with that except for the giggling. It might be more of a maniacal laugh.

Anyway, depending on where you live, I'd get South or North facing windows. Fairly tall windows if possible and put blackout shades/blinds on them so you can control how much light comes in. You can get some great shots with just the window light or get cool patterns of light on the floor from the light streaming in.

Ceilings would be 20' but if you can't get that then get at least 14' ceilings.

The wall colors would depend on what you'll be using the space for. Are you going to have client consultations in there? If so then paint the walls white so it's more airy but I'd have lots of black scrims to control that light bouncing around. If it was strictly a studio where I was shooting then I'd seriously consider matte black walls just so I know light is not going to bounce where I don't want it to. That's just a personal preference though.

If you can split up the space then maybe paint the front area where you consult with clients colors that suit your personality but then the back part of the studio could be white or black depending on how much or a control freak you are.

Hanging backdrops. I'd rig some type of pulley system. If you don't have enough room to hang all the backdrops then just one pulley system to raise one backdrop at a time would work. You could either rig a rod for paper backdrops or rods and clamps for cloth.

Put in a walk-in closet so you can store your studio gear as well. Get cool looking doors or something for the closet so you can use them as a background as well. Put hooks on the walls for stands, scrims and what not. I wouldn't put those in the closet because I would want easy access to them without having to look through a closet to get them. I'd put props, lights and camera gear in the closet. Make sure the closet had an outlet so you can plug things in to charge and stuff like that.

I'd also make sure there was a counter or folding table that I can put my gear on in the studio when I'm shooting. That way stuff is laying on the floor and I have room to spread it out. It doesn't have to be huge; just big enough for a few lens and/or bodies, cards and batteries.

Is it going to be big enough for a loft? Would be cool to have a loft where you can put your computer and books and stuff in. A nice quiet place where you can work or even where you can lean over the railing to shoot down at your model standing in the studio.

Make sure you have plenty of outets too. That way you aren't having to worry about a long enough extension cord to reach your lights.

Congrats on being able to build your own studio.

[sk66]

In addition to what has been mentioned..
You might want an insulated garage door in order to bring in large props or subjects (i.e. cars).
I would have electrical supply in the ceiling with retractable cords.
You may also want a bathroom/prep room for models etc..

[CheaperKings]

Mine is about 55ft long, 25ft wide and 22ft tall...(it was a paint booth used to paint semi trucks)...

[Photologyst]

Congrats!

All the suggestions are good. I would go for North windows for steady light, light paint on walls and lights with dimmers to showcase your art.

I like to design things to do double or more duty. You may want to use the studio as a guest house. You need a small kitchenette with sink and frig, a large, dark closet and a bathroom too. A place for a lie down, table, chairs, maybe even a fireplace. A loft is perfect for guest or you when you work through the night.

Ventilation is very important. While you may not be using chemicals, the next artist might.

As a designer, painter and photographer, I would build the studio to accommodate other artists, because you may want to sell it one day and it would have greater marketability.

I have incorporated most of those ideas into my studio. Plan well, because you always “forget” something. Get a 3D program like “Sketchup” Google SketchUp

or make a model and walk through every conceivable work process.

Sketchup is very intuitive and easy to learn. The basic version is free.