Minimum room size for a studio

[Wes]

Another thread sparked a question in my mind: What do you think would be the minimum room size for a portrait studio? I've heard that a subject needs to be about 6' from the background in order to avoid harsh shadows. If this is true then I'm guessing that a 10x10 spare bedroom would not work. I'm curious as to what the pros here think.

Thanks.

[bondarnes]

10X10 might work if you like the wide angle look or if you can back down a hall and shoot through a doorway. Also, if you use a background light to eliminate shadows on the background you can have your subject two or three feet from the background.

If you mainly do close-up photography then 10X10 would be adequate.

[Jim]

I'm no pro, but I find my 2 car garage is big enough.

[adirty1]

I like to have a room big enough that i can do full length with the proper lens. you need room to move your lights around and 18 ft wide garage just isnt big enough to move my studio flash lights back far enough to get the lighting i like.

with a ten foot wide background one would like to have another 8 feet on each side. I would say a room 30 by 40 would be perfect with 15 ft ceilings. portraits you can get by with a lot smaller space. 18x21 would work out great..

[AndrewCCM]

I am "about" (maybe) to build a studio space above my garage. It's 3 cars in width...so the space should be around 20x30. OF course, part of the deal is I have to move my current office in there too.. (wife bargain).. LOL Still tying to decide how to lay it all out. I know that I am going to add a bathroom too, so that'll eat up a little space.

[adirty1]

use one part of your 3 car garage for the office and bath. you will want the full size to shoot in.... I just put in an office at the house. I split the garage in half and I have two full sized desks and a 60 inch deep work table for mounting and cutting mats plus a 8 foot sink and an enlarger. one side is for digital the other side for darkroom work. best thing i ever did now i dont have to go to office to work i can just go in to the garage. if the wife wants something or really needs something she can come get me.

you have to set rules that if the door is closed and locked that means dont bother me until i come out. It's great i can work late and still be at the house and close to the family and work when i feel like it instead of heading to the office. I get more done later in the evening when everyone goes to sleep and now I dont have to make time to work in the darkroom or on the computer.

[AndrewCCM]

Thanks for the advice..

Since the entrance to my studio (above garage) will be through a gameroom (and giving up big closet to make a hallway entrance)...My wife has a demand for part of it to encompass a closet for the kids stuff (NOT MINE).. LOL

Since I am on a corner and my garage faces an adjacent street, I am considering putting in a stairway entrance from the outside. We'll see how all that works out with the homeowners association and permits. Fun Fun.

Thanks for the advice!