Today on The Slanted Lens we are going to talk about 6 tips for setting up a home or office studio.

We will show you how to make a backdrop holder you can put on the wall that takes up very little space. How to control your window light and even how to make lights at home. Finally, we will show you how to set up these lights for a 2 light video interview.

#1 We start with an empty bedroom. This one is great because the walls are a neutral color and there is great window light. If your walls are not neutral, you first need to paint them.

#2 I put down a tarp to protect the floors. I put the brown side up since it is also a neutral color and won’t bounce light around.

#3 You can use simple parts to hang a backdrop. A half-inch galvanized pipe with a plate can screw into the wall or ceiling. Screw a 3” pipe and an elbow into that. Then, add a 6” return (or longer). That is a very simple half of a backdrop holder. Also, add a 1” conduit from which to hang your backdrop.

#4 This is a simple white fabric backdrop. The wrinkles need to be steamed or stretched out.

#5 A stool is one of the first things you need for you studio. A 3’ stool is good. Another option for a backdrop is a 9’ wide seamless. A seamless is very easy to use, but it will not last as long as fabric.

#6 Eclipse blackout curtains are great to blackout your natural window light. This allows you to set up completely controlled light in your room.

#7 There are several options for homemade lighting. This is a softbox made out of a laundry detergent bucket. It has an overall fill in the room with a key light on the face.

#8 This is a Styrofoam cooler softbox. The light doesn’t bounce as much as the laundry detergent bucket. The front diffusion is a little further away from the bulb, which gives us a little more directional light.

#9 This lighting is from a Bankers Box softbox. It’s a very soft light. It doesn’t bounce as much as the Styrofoam cooler softbox.

#10 The DIY softboxes were great, but started falling apart quick. For a great professional light, I recommend something like the Photoflex StarLite. Thanks for watching/reading. Keep those cameras roll’n and keep on click’n.