Newborn Studio

[dmann]

Hi,

Thinking about setting up a newborn studio in my basement.

I am looking at purchasing the following:

-backdrops
-backdrops stands
-flooring
-baskets, blankets, knitted hats, diaper covers etc
-lights and stands

I think thats pretty much everything I would need, if not let me know.

I would like to know the following:

-what brands you would recommend for what
-what prices are fair (generally speaking)
-websites I can order from (I am in Canada)
-if you know of any package deals that I could get everything at once

I have googled it, I was looking around. I just don't know exactly what I am looking for. I don't want to order some of these kits that are really cheap only to set it up and be dissapointed. I also don't want to order stuff I don't need.

Would you reccommend the backdrop stands that can hold three backdrops? or are they easy enough to change that you can get away with just the one?

I am not wanting you guys to do my research for me. I just want to get pointed in the right direction by you sharing your experiences with the equipment you have or have seen.

Thanks
Des

[zona5101]

need more info.

-backdrops - i imagine you're not looking to use a full length BG from newborns? Or yes?

-backdrops stands - this will depend on what the answer is to the above

-flooring - Home Depot, the plastic surround for shower walls

-baskets, blankets, knitted hats, diaper covers etc - i'd be more concerned where I'm going to find the babies

-lights and stands - continuous light or strobes? Any light modifiers??

[dmann]

-backdrops - i imagine you're not looking to use a full length BG from newborns? Or yes?

Is 10x20 considered full length? If so, what are my other options? 10x20 is all I could find. To answer your question if the price difference isn't too great I would like to do full length. That way if I ever want to do a shoot with adults or families I should be able to.


-backdrops stands - this will depend on what the answer is to the above

-flooring - Home Depot, the plastic surround for shower walls

I was actually looking at hardwood, laminate type flooring. I really liked some of the "floorz" options. But I do not know if that is good quality. They are about $135.00, is that a fair price?

-baskets, blankets, knitted hats, diaper covers etc - i'd be more concerned where I'm going to find the babies

Haha, I go to a large Church, no baby shortage there

-lights and stands - continuous light or strobes? Any light modifiers??[/QUOTE]

Strobes and would you reccommend any modifiers or can I go without?

Thanks a lot.

[Doug Sundseth]

If you plan to light only in studio, I'd recommend something like Paul C. Buff's AlienBees strobes. They're inexpensive and very reliable. For babies, I'd start with a B400 and a B800 and get a shoot-through umbrella and a decent-sized softbox. You'll also need stands for the strobes and some way to trigger the strobes. For triggers I use and like the Cactus V5s, but there are other choices with their own strengths. You'll also want sandbags to keep the light stands more secure.

[dmann]

I looked at the Alien bees and I don't think I want that sophisticated of a system. Also thats a little more money than I want to spend. I have no lighting experiece though so if I am only going to get crap results unless I go with something like that, then I don't think I will go about this. I just wanted it to be a fun on the side thing.

I currently have a 580EX II flash, could I get the 430EX II and set them up on stands?

Vu-Pro Complete Basic Home Photography Studio Package

I was looking at the above. However I don't want those kind of back drops. I want more wallpaper looking drops. Are these products decent? or produce cheap looking results?

That was kind of the set up I had in mind. I don't have a ton of storage so I wanted something portable and easy to put up and take down.

I also attached a photo of the lighting that is currently there. It is a small area and I used my 580EX II flash and had the lights on (fixtures in the house).

Don't mind the creepy baby, its a family heirloom......

[MindyRaeL]

For backdrops, I really like the bi- and tri-splits from Badsass Backdrops. Lemondrop also has some good ones, and are a little more affordable. You can also head to your local fabric store and look for canvas or upholstery fabric, which comes in really wide bolts.
For flooring, here's a great post with lots of options. I got some of the paper flooring and used spray adhesive to attach it to a piece of plywood. It works pretty good.

[Doug Sundseth]

You can absolutely get a 430 and put it and the 580 on stands. With those you can get excellent photos once you figure out flash.

You'll need stands, triggers of some sort, and modifiers, which will be very similar to what you would use with a monobloc like the AlienBees.

A B400 is slightly less expensive than a new 430EX II, brighter, less portable, doesn't do TTL, but is quite a bit easier to use. Either can work well, and either can work with the 580.

Frankly, a flash is just a bright point source of light with some controls. For most purposes, they're interchangeable.

Good luck with your studio business. I look forward to seeing more of your work.