Remodeling the Studio
Upgrading the studio has been on my to-do list for a long time. I was running into many constraints when doing shoots.
- As my photography projects grew, I needed a better way to separate my shooting scenarios to better utilize the space when shooting with professional models. Having to quickly tear down and set up the next scene became too time consuming. I also had 2 locations my projects were being stored, the studio and the garage. Which entailed moving my lights from one area to the other to shoot.
- With only a 10,000 watt portable air/heating unit. It struggled keeping the place cool during the hot summer months. It was time to upgrade the unit.
- My digital photo/video library was growing faster than I was able to keep up. Before the remodel, all my images were kept on external hard drives. I had a total of 3 x 4-bay drives attached to my studio through USB3 ports. There was no redundancy or back ups if one of the drives failed. My photo library consisted of over 370,000 photos and over 6TB of BTS videos, ranging all the way back to 2004. I needed a better way to store and protect my data.
- I have way too many props. Currently there are 4 military style foot lockers filled with props to include guns, costumes, fish nets, masks...etc.
- When I first started out, working with non-traveling models, they would have a limited selection of outfits with them. I would usually acquire outfits for models to shoot in that better fit my projects. Over time, it became difficult to manage, wash and maintain. These days most models travel with outfits.
So for the past 2 months, I worked on resolving the above issues to best streamline my photography process and better utilize my space.
Skills
- Dry wall
- Painting
- Wood working
First steps...remodel the studio.
I had a platform where I did my "Seen Below" project. These were shot on a platform custom built to hold a 4'x8' sheet of 1/2 inch tempered glass. The platform was 6 feet high and most of my shoots were me rolling along the floor with an under car roller.
This platform was taking up about half of the garage. I needed to get it transferred to the studio. Here is what I did to get the glass into the studio.
- Extended the shelf, which was used for storage, to now hold the glass.
- Add additional bracing to ensure safety and stability.
- Rerouted some electrical wiring, to include lights and outlets.
- Patch holes, drywall, tape and mud.
Image of ladder re-purposed
Image of how the old ladder was used to get onto the new platform in the studio.
Image of all computer equipment removed for the remodel
Image of studio without the computer equipment.
Image of view underneath glass facing computer work station.
Image of work station where editing equipment used to be.
Image of finished bracing used to hold the glass
In order to hold the glass 2'x6's were run the length of the studio.
Image of 2'x6' studs used to brace the weight of the floor
The best way to brace the floor was to add 2'x6'x16' studs to run the length of the studio.
Image of bracing the 2'x6' stud to the wall
Bracing was added to the wall studs to ensure the 2'x6' were mounted and secure.
Once the holes were patched, drywall repaired and mudding was completed. I worked on painting the room. Seeing the finished painted room was such a relief. Here is the room with most of the computer equipment added back. Now to go through the equipment to get rid of what I don't need to keep in here. That will be for another post.
