STUDIO DESIGN ESSENTIALS
Learn how intelligently designing and outfitting your studio helps you get more from the available space
In order for a professional photographer to get the most out of their investment in a studio and to make it work for them, the layout of the space is critical. Not only does the design influence client impressions and expectations, the physical layout of the rooms and sets has a direct impact on your ability to work effectively. The majority of professional studios follow an open-plan design, which permits equipment to be easily moved and also allows light to spread and be shaped to taste. In smaller areas, lighting is more contained and so is harder to control and diffuse – a significant problem encountered by users of home studio setups. The floor and wall space of a studio also affects the rapidity with which backgrounds can be changed and accessories such as v-flats and gobos inserted, influencing your productivity.
This extends to the ease with which you can freely move around the space during shoots. A common pro strategy is to move the camera position to gain multiple compositions and lighting styles, instead of moving the strobes or continuous lights, to save time and streamline the creative process. Therefore, anything which impedes that freedom can be considered a flaw in studio design. Similarly, your models need to feel comfortable and unhindered in their work in front of the
camera, so adequate space between lights and depth to move away, for feathered lighting, should be considered.
Common mistakes made by inexperienced studio users often centre around the fluidity of the space layout. There are occasions where keeping lights in a single arrangement is advantageous; photographers who regularly shoot many images with a standardised look may find greater benefits in the high image volumes that static positions allow. However, by making the environment too static – arranging lights and other equipment so that it is difficult to move – you limit how dynamic your portfolio can be. Inversely, moving your equipment too much adds unnecessary complexity to your routine and can present challenges when attempting to identify your signature style. Regularly reassess your studio to find new ways of using your resources.