STUDIO FOCUS: DAVID YIU
Headshot specialist David Yiu (davidyiu. com) provides his insight into the running of a successful studio HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD YOUR OWN STUDIO?
The studio was set up in September 2014 primarily as a portrait studio, but I’ve also used it for product work. Prior to having the studio, I would mainly rent studio space or shoot on location depending on what my client wanted, but as time went on, I wanted to have a studio space geared towards my needs as a photographer.
WHAT ARE YOUR SPECIALISMS?
I started shooting events and PR which slowly developed into portraiture. Once I had my own studio, portraiture became my primary speciality, focusing mainly on actors’ headshots. Headshots have become the crux of my business, although I also shoot fashion, portraiture and more commercial work.
HOW MUCH OF YOUR TIME DO YOU SPEND IN THE STUDIO COMPARED TO OUT ON LOCATION?
Having my own studio space has resulted in me having more jobs based in the studio rather than on location. Though the majority of my time is spent in the studio, around 95 per cent, I also have outdoor locations around the studio that I use for my clients’ headshots when a variety of backdrops and aesthetics are required for the final images.
WHAT ARE YOUR MOST-USED/FAVOURITE ITEMS OF STUDIO EQUIPMENT?
Profoto B1 – I use these brilliant lights in every single shoot because of their functionality and versatility. They are light and portable with a consistent light output, and as they don’t have cables, they also allow me to use them both in the studio and outdoors.
Canon EF 85mm f1.4L USM lens – for my own personal style, this prime lens is the only one I use for all my portraiture work as I find it’s an ideal focal length. I shoot most portraits at 2.8, so the face is sharp with a really nice bokeh behind the subject.
HOW DO YOU MAKE THE BEST USE OF YOUR STUDIO SPACE?
The key component for me in my studio is the lights and the light modifiers that I use. I have a small studio, so knowing the correct lights/modifiers to use to create the right look is important. Though the different backdrops that I have also help to make great use of the studio space, my lights are what create the diversity that make my studio work.