Setting up a Studio

If you want to improve your object (Still Life) photography, you need a studio. Well, not a real studio, but a make shift studio. To create your make shift studio , locate a spot where you are staying at that has a lot of natural light coming in. Usually it will be by a large window. The light coming in will light one side of the objects more than the other side. You can always bounce light back in if the other side gets too dark, but that is the lesson after this one.

Part 1:

Your assignment is to take pictures of your studio set up. The box, table, pail or other base you are using to place and showcase your objects. Use a backdrop such as a wrinkled bags, fabric, coat, bed sheet, rug, large baking pan, whatever you think will look cool and be wide enough to get from edge to edge when you use your cell phone to take subject pictures. Do not place the objects right against the background, leave about hands width away to create some cool shadows on your background. That separation from the background will make your objects stand out even more.

Take pictures of your progress as you are setting it up. Include these in your e-mail.

Part 2:

Find cards of some sort. Pokemon, hockey cards, flash cards, dominos, band-aids, toothpicks, stamps, envelopes, as long as the objects are relatively the same size. Arrange these objects in interesting compositions at this studio setting you just created. Let the natural light bring out certain characteristics of the objects. If you have pets or other people around you, photograph them looking out the window so half of the face is lit more than the other. Take lots and lots of photos.

Choose your best 5 pictures and e-mail them to me. Then select your one best photo and write a little paragraph about why it is your best shot.

Part 3:

Answer the following questions and then include these in your e-mail.

1. What did you use as your background object?

2. How tall roughly was the box, chair, table you use to set up your studio?

3. Did you experiment with different textures? Why or why not?

4. What was the biggest challenge of setting up the studio?

5. How long did it take you to set up and take down your studio?

6. Will you use the same studio or will you try a different location for the next shooting assignment?

7. What time did you take your pictures?