For the last year I’ve been tossing around the idea of renting some studio space. The main reason is that I often feel cramped shooting in the small corner that I’ve set aside for a studio. I often feel cramped working at my computer in the other small corner I’ve set aside for this. But, is buying more space the only way to get more space? I don’t think so. Eventually, I came to the conclusion that I can make better use of the space I have now, instead of increasing my monthly expenses. All it’s going to cost me is a lot of hard work. 😐
One of the things I have to think about is all my computer stuff. Computer stuff is important to me, so there’s no avoiding this. I don’t want to lose any functionality or convenience because I’m shifting things around.
Here’s how things are right now:
The first diagram shows all the computer stuff I need to maintain, and where it is located. The second diagram shows a very rough floor plan of my place, which is not to scale, or necessarily even the right shape. I notice that I even got the shade of green for the loft wrong. Nice!
I have realized that I do not need a huge bedroom, and that space would be better used as a living room. That would free up my current living room to be a studio. My current studio would become an office.
Here’s how it would look in diagram form:
Ahhh much more spacious. I’m also planning to redo the floors in the new shooting area and my kitchen/lobby/office area. Instead of carpet and vinyl flooring, it will be a laminate/hardwood. I’ve also picked out some paint colors to completely repaint the interior, all the way up to the 16 foot ceilings. But that is a story for another day. This is going to be a busy spring!
Awesome. lots of work but I bet it will be worth it.
Why did you decide to move the living room and not just move the shooting area into the bedroom?
I think using the living room will allow me to have more space to shoot, because I can still stand in the kitchen and shoot towards the bedroom if I need more depth. If I was shooting in the bedroom, then I’d be boxed in there. The living room will feel cozy when it’s moved into where the bedroom was. I’ll keep the carpet in there too. 🙂
What are you gonna do to solve the background issues of shooting in the former living room?
In the old studio, you had a wall in the back which you could cover with a sheet and you’d be set. But the living room is bigger, so what’s your plan for that?
In the current studio setup, I have a background support system. That’s what I’ve been using for years. It’s basically two tall stands with a crossbar for hanging things from. I can use that in my new setup too.
Dude you’re not using the reply button! 😛
That’s not bad then. How about adding a 3rd stand to make angular backgrounds (or more stands for dome-like coverage)?
And now that you’re gonna be sleeping upstairs, watch out when going down the stairs!
Yes, you are using the reply button, I r teh dumb and didnt notice the indentation.
Oh yeah, actually it comes with three stands, and I even have a spare background support, with an additional three stands and crossbars. I have a ridiculous capacity for backgrounds!
I remember this was an idea percolating in your brain when I was staying way back in 2005. I’m glad to see it coming more to fruition, good luck and I’m sure this will revamp your life in a huge way 😀
I’m excited for you!
Thanks Cath! It really has taken a while to get around to things! 😛