Studio Photography: Overview, Progressions, Tips and Future Prospects
06-Aug-2022
AUTHOR - New Delhi YMCA
Studio photography as the name suggests is a kind of photography done in a photo studio. It is one of the oldest forms of photography, also well-known as indoor photography. Studio photography sessions are conducted in a fully controlled indoor environment where everything is planned according to the subject's demand.
The individual clicking the pictures has complete control over each and every aspect around, such as lighting, camera angle, background, and other arrangements. Various photography enthusiasts including both amateurs and professionals opt for doing a professional
studio photography course to get skilled in this oldest form of photography.
Things that come into the ambit of studio photography
The ambit of studio photography includes a large number of subjects that include people, animals, objects, and products right from ornaments to automobiles. The setup for a studio photography session begins with a blank space in which the photographer creates backdrops and then determines all types of inclusions and exclusions. If it’s a case of model photography, then costumes for models and props become the main part of it.
The primary difference between studio and location photography
One of the major differences between location and studio photography is that the studio photographer takes control of everything during the studio photo shoot. On the contrary, during a location or outdoor photo session, the photographer has no control over whatever happens around, and he or she has to get contended with all the external factors such as wind, direct sunlight, rain, and other weather-related factors. During outdoor photo sessions, the photographer has no option other than remaining satisfied even with the less-than-perfect lighting as well as various distracting background objects.
What does it take to be a professional studio photographer?
A studio photographer is a professional who conducts photography sessions in a completely controlled environment. Studio photographers always work in studio settings for a large variety of projects. They take pictures of individuals, groups of people, or even objects. Frankly speaking, photography is not just a skill that one can wish to have to earn money or serve any other purpose. It is a pure passion that also involves an amazing artistic ability that occurs among various people naturally.
What a
professional course can do is it can just refine your skills taking your abilities to the next level. Studio photography calls for a creative approach, technical knowledge, cutting-edge methodologies, and out-of-the-box thinking. Most institutions offer different photography courses among which studio photography is the most prominent one. More and less, the given below points are part of the theory sessions of all courses:
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History of Photography
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Introduction to Digital Photography
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White Balance
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Depth of Field
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Composition
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Exposure Triangle
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Creative Shutter Speed
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Speed Light Photography
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Developing a Creative Eye – light, and composition
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Special Techniques – Candid and Smoke Photography
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Photo Processing
Advancement of lighting techniques for studio photography
Lighting is one of the most important aspects of studio photography. It is because whatever an object lacks in outdoor photography can easily be covered and compensated during studio photography. When you begin to
learn photography in Delhi, you will realize that everything lies in the light while you take on a studio photography session. Lighting can be considered the lifeblood of studio photography, and it is what makes even an average object great to look at.
The primary reason you need ample and vivid lighting combinations in your studio photography sessions is that it makes your pictures great and awesome. Each picture when taken at a lower ISO becomes less grainy. Since the photographer takes control of everything during a studio photo shoot, he or she can use it to the fullest.
Ideas that will help you become a great studio photographer:
Choose a studio space that suits your artistic vision
Choosing a studio is the very first step to click great pictures as a studio photographer. You can set up yours one or even rent an already established space to serve your purpose. The overall space requirements depend on the nature and size of the subjects as a large number of things come into the ambit of studio photography. If you are shooting for an e-commerce website, then you will need lesser space than the products like cars, bikes, and other bigger subjects.
Carefully consider your lighting sources
As discussed at the very outset, lighting is all that studio photography calls for. Based on your knowledge and experience, you need to think about your lighting sources very minutely. At various times, lighting requirements also depend upon the time of the day you take up a studio photography shoot. Lighting always works in your favor during studio photography. Therefore, make sure the studio you are hiring or establishing has them all in place.
Find an appropriate backdrop
During a studio photography session, the backdrop that you choose plays an important role. Make sure it fits all your shooting needs. In case you are shooting for a clothing line, then make sure the continuity is maintained. And to achieve this, you need to stick to just a single backdrop throughout. If you are shooting for different parties in a single day, then you need to be very particular about changing the backdrop as per the exacting requirements of the subjects to be pictured.
Concluding Remarks
In case you are planning to specialize in studio photography, then you will have a plethora of job opportunities as well as chances of working independently. Most of the golden opportunities are coming from the e-commerce domain where millions of products are listed on the websites. No e-commerce business can survive without photographs. You can also be a portfolio maker who creates portfolios of models, actors, and even politicians. You will also have an opportunity to be a commercial photographer. Commercial photography encompasses a large number of photography careers.
Scientific photographers on the other hand document a wide range of subjects for the appropriate recording of experiments, illustrations, and pieces of technical information. As a studio photographer, you can also get work on a freelance basis. It is something that most studio photographers love to opt for.