DIY Home Photography Studio With One Light
Last Updated on November 6, 2024 by Erin Donahue
When it comes to commercial photography, the image of a large studio space that’s well-equipped often comes to mind. However, such a studio can be costly, whether you somehow have the space at home it comes with its own rental lease. But fear not! With a little creativity and some smart investment decisions, you can create a professional-quality home photography studio without breaking the bank.
Use What You Already Have
Identify a small space in your home that you can dedicate to your photography setup. You don’t need a large area; even a corner will do. Next, assess the furniture and equipment you already own. I use a small janky foldable table from Walmart. It doesn’t have a lot of surface area, but since I mainly photograph small products it’s enough. Remember, it’s all about being resourceful.
Essential Equipment
Camera Body and Lens
While having a good camera body is important, the lens plays a more crucial role, especially in minimizing distortion. Aim for a lens of 50mm or higher, and if possible, consider investing in a macro lens. I use Sony’s 90mm for detailed close-up shots.
Artificial Lighting
While natural light can be great, and many commercial photographers start out this way, it’s unpredictable. If you want to level up your work and not be at the mercy of the weather, you need to learn artificial lighting for more consistent results. There are a range of options for artificial lighting, from higher-end brands like Aputure and Profoto to budget-friendly brands like Godox and Neewer.
I use the Godox system because their quality is good enough for me and gets the job done. The main light I use is the Godox FV150. It’s a hybrid strobe and continuous light that can be used for both photos and videos, making it ideal for content creators like me. When it’s on continuous light, the fan is quiet and the color temperature is set to 5600 kelvin, which equals daylight. It’s dimmable and has a Bowens mount for modifiers. For strobe, it supports high-speed sync speeds with a transmitter. I use a compatible Godox Wireless Flash Trigger Transmitter and also have a Godox Hotshoe Flash. It’s a strobe light that I can use as a second light source in the studio and I also bring it with me to photograph events.
Whiteboards
White foam boards are inexpensive alternatives to professional light modifiers. They act as large, soft light sources that bounce light, creating flattering and even lighting for your subjects. They are particularly useful when working with limited lighting equipment.
There are whiteboards from companies like V-Flat World that are more necessary when working with people unless you make one from scratch, but I just use some foam boards from Walmart since my subjects are smaller. You can get these at any local crafts or dollar store.
C-Stand
Now to hold the camera, I’ll use either a tripod or a C-stand. A C-stand is a versatile tool for holding your camera and other equipment. While not necessary at the beginning, it becomes valuable as you delve into commercial photography and need to ensure sharpness in your images through compositing.
Compositing is when you take multiple pictures of the same scene, but focus sharpness on different parts and stack them together in post-processing. Attention to detail is extremely important, especially with products.
Backgrounds
When working with liquid or cream products, consider using vinyl backdrops for their versatility and wipeable surface. I usually get mine from Club Backdrops, a UK company that has free shipping in the US. I like that there’s a variety of backgrounds and they do a lot of bundles, which helps save money.
Additionally, I use a Neewer wall mount to hold four Savage Universal seamless paper backgrounds. I got it during the pandemic when everyone was home more often and did a lot of self-portraits, but since things have been going back to normal and I’m outside more often, I haven’t found as much use for it. But that’s just me, if you find yourself using the studio more then this is great. You always want to use backgrounds that have a matte, non-reflective surface. Another option is to use a roll of wrapping paper that’s just sitting in your closet if you have one.
Go-To Product Photography Styling Ideas
- Keep it simple – less is more. Use up to 3 props max
- Flatlays
- Mirror play
- Water splashes, water shadow
- Product smear
- Shadow play
- Floating products
- Add a human element like a hand
- Light reflections
- Repeat patterns
Creating a professional home photography studio doesn’t have to be expensive or take up too much space. With a bit of creativity and thought equipment decisions, you can achieve professional-quality results right in your own home. Experiment, try new things, and most importantly, have fun with your photography!
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