portable portrait studio ideas

gecko0

I've been asked to put together a basic portrait studio for my company's employee photos (~1,000 employees). "Studio" may be a bit too fancy...due to the requirements and people that will be using it, it is more of a photo booth type request. High volume is not needed, as people will just have them taken over time at their convenience.

Any input knowing the info below would be great...


Budget: $1,500-$3,000 (all inclusive...camera, lighting, backdrops, etc)

Purpose: Headshots only (name badges, online images...nothing involving large prints)


Requirements:

1. EASY to use (probably people with NO photography background using it...I would just be helping to design and train them on it...not using it myself)
2. Most likely portable (or at least easy to tear down, setup)
3. As "professional" as possible results requested (of course, right?!?)

So, I think some type of basic white backdrop (maybe optional black as well), dSLR or higher-end bridge camera, tripod, and one or two lights (continuous instead of flash probably easiest for non-photographers to use?).

Thanks for any help!

ziggy53

How much space will you be allocated?

gecko0

not too much space...unless it's portable enough (and fast enough) to set up in a conference room...then there is plenty of space. otherwise, possibly just using an open office cubicle (maybe 8' x 8' cube) with the person sitting down.

ziggy53

That's plenty of space for this. I think you're right that some form of continuous burning light would be best, so I suggest using "daylight" compact florescent lights and 40" to 45" shoot through umbrellas mounted on light stands. Just position the lights high enough to make the shadows correct and use even and equal lighting for each side, positioning the camera to shoot through the middle.

Probably want something a little longer in focal length to force the photographer to be enough distance away to allow a simple angular change of the tripod head, so they don't have to worry about raising and lowering the tripod height too much.

Almost any dSLR would do, and I do recommend a dSLR just for AF accuracy. A Pentax or Olympus dSLR with a moderate telephoto would be a good choice. It would be best to use a portrait orientation if possible. If you provide enough light a smaller aperture will accommodate and compensate for poor focus technique.

I would not worry about walls and ceiling too much, but I suggest a white "runner" in front of the subject unless you happen to shoot in a location with white-ish floors. A white carpet runner would be nice if you can find something inexpensive. Treat it with Scotch Guard first to make it easy to clean later.

A cheap collapsible background disk would be fine, suspended from a simple stand.

Since the subjects will be seated, a smaller tripod would be fine, and you'll just need a pan-tilt head.

gecko0

that's great information, Ziggy. thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on this! i'm starting from scratch on continuous lighting (i spent all my spare time lately reading about using flash)...any recommendations or at least preferred brands?

thanks again!

ziggy53

I think a pair of these:

http://www.adorama.com/FPCL1.html

Along with a couple of light stands (air-cushioned is important):

http://www.adorama.com/SALSC10AC.html

And umbrellas:

http://www.adorama.com/LTU40T.html

That should get you close if you can get lighting control of the room. If you need more light go with a multiple tube model:

http://www.adorama.com/FPCL4.html

(If it was me, I would go for the 4-head model anyway since you can switch select either 2 or 4 bulbs.)

Art Scott

Might look at the different ID photo units like the DMV uses or places that do passport photos.....an all in one unit and 4x4 square of what ever color of cloth............

gecko0

I think I'll go with the 16" 4-way lights (http://www.adorama.com/FPCL4.html) for flexibility. To mount these to the light stands (w/ umbrella), would this be a good option?

Manfrotto Swivel Umbrella Adapter (Lite-tite)
http://www.adorama.com/BG2905.html


I see it comes with a diffuser, but am guessing that isn't adequate.

GadgetRick

Dang Ziggy, your ability to spew forth useful information never ceases to amaze me. I want to see who is able to stump you. Bravo on another awesome answer...

kdog

GadgetRick wrote:

Dang Ziggy, your ability to spew forth useful information never ceases to amaze me. I want to see who is able to stump you. Bravo on another awesome answer...

He really is a remarkable resource here. That might make a good thread. "Stump Ziggy". :giggle

GadgetRick

kdog wrote:

He really is a remarkable resource here. That might make a good thread. "Stump Ziggy". :giggle

I was thinking that but, honestly, I'm not sure we can when it comes to photography. I know I certainly don't have the knowledge/skillz to do so.