Studio Equipment

When the need arises for photography studio equipment photographers find plenty of options to select from. Should they buy new or used photography studio equipment? What type of background will they need? Is it better to buy monolights, flash meters, tent kits, or all three?

Which photo studio equipment to buy depends on what the photographer plans to do in his, or her studio. Some professional photography studio equipment is important to every setup. Many photography manufacturers, shops and outlets offer professional and home photography studio equipment starter kits for small object, or portrait photography.

The Alzo 250 three light Tent kit includes a cubed tent enclosure with a front cover to photograph small items like jewelry and glassware. It also includes two lights on adjustable stands with a third light, a micro-boom overhead light, which casts light on the tent from above. This type of photography studio lighting equipment costs just under four hundred dollars.

Portrait photographers require one or more backgrounds for professional results. Fabrics commonly used in portrait photography include muslin, canvas, velour, paper, and velveteen. Velour and velveteen add a two, or three toned look to a solid color in flash photography. Muslin backgrounds can be left plain, or dyed to resemble crushed velveteen in photos.

Larger photography studio spaces may want to use a camera dolly for shots with varying degrees. Camera dollies are little metal runways where the camera is balanced on a wheeled frame and rolled back and forth into position.

Digital photography studio equipment differs very little from traditional photography. Backgrounds, umbrellas, monolights and diffusers are all used in portrait photography. Continuous lighting sets, like those offered by Alzo digital, help focus the subject while bringing natural lighting into the photo. Flash and camera brackets, called flip brackets, hold the camera steady on tripods while the photographer rotates the camera in different directions for professional shots. Some kits include the flip bracket attached to a tilting umbrella.

Designate an area for the subject. Add a table for small object photography. Photographers use a stool, bench, or fabric covered chair for full body portraits.

Photography shows and websites list where to shop for photography studio equipment for sale. Many wholesale photography studio equipment retailers advertise throughout photography magazines and publications. Photographers on a budget might want to search the classifieds online or in the local newspaper for ads with used photo studio equipment for sale.