Studio Problems.

Backdrop being dirty and a bit ragged is so far (touch wood) my only problem so far

In a parallel with similar discussions about unreliable models, I wonder if you need to be more selective in your choice of studio, perhaps?  I've never encountered any of those problems.

I understand where you are coming from.

I guess it depends on the studio but many just offer a space to use for photoshoots and do not provide any lighting equipment as they are expecting commercial clients who will rent lighting equipment separately. Smaller studios should provide some equipment as they are unlikely to attract large commercial jobs.

Out of date images can be a pain but you can just ask if they have something you are looking for.

I've been using Peerspace.com, it's like Airbnb but for creatives to rent space. There are many studios and unique properties available (in the London area anyway). Hourly rates vary and like Airbnb, it has a rating system for users.

Scott Bowman said

I've been using Peerspace.com, it's like Airbnb but for creatives to rent space. There are many studios and unique properties available (in the London area anyway). Hourly rates vary and like Airbnb, it has a rating system for users.

Thanks for that tip - very useful!

I read Number 1 with amazement. What kind of cockamamie studios don't have at least 2 lights and some modifiers PMSL. 🤣

I guess what's happening is the infestation of totally online sellers with totally BS claims with nothing to back it up is spreading outside of the internet into real services.

I feel your pain! and I love doing studio photography in a good sized well equipped one.

Sadly I've had some similar experiences, why my 'studio' ( aye it's getting colder and weather in UK is "variable" at the best of times) is now some spare space I'm lucky enough to have at home which is dedicated to being a studio, it's bijou or cosy depending on one's perspective but not only are there relatively few studios in a reasonable travel distance but I sort of "gave up" with similar unfortunate experiences.

Such as one studio where I paid extra for the heating to be on (winter rates) and it wasn't, owner also turned up 45 mins late "car trouble."

Filthy floors and needing to almost pull out an entire background to find a clean spot got to be a common occurrence.

The lighting provision in one was probably the 'final straw', the owner got really p****d when I started moving the lights! they ran "model nights" and clearly they had ubiquitous set ups that never moved, until some numpty like me started wrecking the place. The lights themselves were an unknown, to me, make and afterwards I discovered no two flashes necessarily had the same colour temperature or even output power.

Even having a small one bedroom house I decided to get my own lights. £400 Elinchrom set lasted 14 years before upgrading a couple of years ago. Well over 200 shoots later I have saved so much in studio fees. Yes, it isn't perfect but so worth doing. Amazing what you can achieve. The only studio I ever used, in order to do dance jumps, was the brilliant Inspire (sadly now closed).

ClickMore 📷 said

Even having a small one bedroom house I decided to get my own lights. £400 Elinchrom set lasted 14 years before upgrading a couple of years ago. Well over 200 shoots later I have saved so much in studio fees. Yes, it isn't perfect but so worth doing. Amazing what you can achieve. The only studio I ever used, in order to do dance jumps, was the brilliant Inspire (sadly now closed).

+1 TBH, I've lost count of how many shoots I've done my various home studios over the years. My current set-up is only 25m² and the 2.4m ceilings are a bit of a pain. But I love my home studio. I particularly enjoy the sheer convenience of being able to shoot whenever I feel the urge to point a camera at something, 24/7/365. Not no mention the fact that it's safe, everything works and importantly, I feel I can experiment a lot more in my own place than I could using someone else's.

Perverse as this may seem, I also enjoy working around the technical limitations and challenges that home studios inevitably present. Not sure how much I really saved in terms of studio fees because I am continually adding-to/modifying the studio. But from my perspective, that's all part of the fun too. :-)

Edited by waist.it

As a studio if you come to ours you will be falling over yourself with the amount of lighting, modifiers etc we have plus props, a large white infinity wall, backdrops etc

As a studio owner I’m always on hand to assist on shoots as it’s part of my job.

When we change sets in the studio we always send out updated images.

As a former studio owner I do find using so many studios frustrating. I have seen it all, dirty backgrounds, floor covered in hair and dirt. A floor that’s so rough it’s a joke. Dirty changing rooms, dirty facilities. I have paid deposits only to find I have been double booked on arrival.

I have owners insisting how to light an image, studios that you must not touch a light let alone move it! Had others clueless to what basic studio equipment is when I ask do you have a beauty dish for example. I have planned to use x set only to find it was removed months ago even though it’s listed.

Some have some brilliant lighting equipment that’s you are welcome to use and others barely anything.

I now tend to bring everything I need. If travelling by car. And I tend not to use many studios. It’s a shame that the good ones are tainted by the bad.

I had a studio years ago, clinically clean, properly equipped, built a curve, panelled corner, black area, put removable shutters on windows, full make up area with sockets mirrors stools and all bits and bobs needed, spacious mirrored changing rooms with clothes rails. Wheeled deep parabolic, huge boom, wall booms, 20 heads, damn near every modifier known to man. Not even a bit of fluff or hair on the floor, cleaned after each shoot and first/last thing everyday. All equipment dismantled, unplugged, no crap anywhere. I knocked rental, model days, and camera club on the head just cba, it was more satisfying as a personal indulgence which is how it was ultimately used. With being in a Mill it had other issues outside of my control, toilet facilities not up to the standard I found acceptable, uninsulated so space heater required which is something else I was not happy with.

The dodge is people who use them very often have little understanding of what they are doing, often not shooting enough that way on a regular basis to learn. They struggle to grasp that walking on the white shoot floor is forbidden with muddy boots/shoes and you don't drag gear across the painted floor.....there is no pleasing some either.

Reading this I feel spoilt to have stumbled into Rawpics Studio rawpics studio a couple of years back.  Amazingly big, lots of backdrops, tons of kit and the most amazing owner who always goes that extra mile to help.

Gothic Image it would be difficult to be selective with studios in York -

We don't have any. Not a single one. Nada. Lol

The last one shut up shop during COVID and moved to the countryside and didn't reopen.

The closest one after that was Sherburn in Elmet which wasn't too bad but then he shut up shop and moved over to the other side of Leeds.

So York and the surrounding area has nothing. We'd take any standard of studio we could get 😄😄

waist.it said

ClickMore 📷 said

Even having a small one bedroom house I decided to get my own lights. £400 Elinchrom set lasted 14 years before upgrading a couple of years ago. Well over 200 shoots later I have saved so much in studio fees. Yes, it isn't perfect but so worth doing. Amazing what you can achieve. The only studio I ever used, in order to do dance jumps, was the brilliant Inspire (sadly now closed).

+1 TBH, I've lost count of how many shoots I've done my various home studios over the years. My current set-up is only 25m² and the 2.4m ceilings are a bit of a pain. But I love my home studio. I particularly enjoy the sheer convenience of being able to shoot whenever I feel the urge to point a camera at something, 24/7/365. Not no mention the fact that it's safe, everything works and importantly, I feel I can experiment a lot more in my own place than I could using someone else's.

Perverse as this may seem, I also enjoy working around the technical limitations and challenges that home studios inevitably present. Not sure how much I really saved in terms of studio fees because I am continually adding-to/modifying the studio. But from my perspective, that's all part of the fun too. :-)

Edited by waist.it

You have a giant space compared to me. I use my 3.5 X 3.5 Kitchen Dining area. But who would know from the images?

Timmee said

I read Number 1 with amazement. What kind of cockamamie studios don't have at least 2 lights and some modifiers PMSL. 🤣

I guess what's happening is the infestation of totally online sellers with totally BS claims with nothing to back it up is spreading outside of the internet into real services.

It's common for studios which cater to commercial clients not to carry any lighting or camera gear - they only provide an empty shooting space alongside a kitchen, lounge/viewing and makeup areas. Sometimes, the studio is on a secure site with parking to cater for celebrities. You'll tend to run into those studios more so in London. The client will hire in whatever lighting and camera equipment they need for the shoot.