Photography Portrait Studio Tour

A behind-the-scenes look at the gear we use in our portrait studio.
The wood-like backdrop can be purchased on Amazon: help.tc/woodbackdrop
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Lightroom video book $10 on Amazon: help.tc/l
Photoshop video book $10 on Amazon: help.tc/p
Photography Buying Guide on Amazon: help.tc/b
Worldwide use 10% off coupon 'KZbin': sdp.io/buybg
STARTER CAMERAS:
Basic Starter Camera ($280 used at Amazon): Canon T3 help.tc/t3
Better Starter Camera ($500 at Amazon): Nikon D5300 help.tc/d5300
Better Travel Camera ($500 at Amazon): Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark II help.tc/em10ii
LANDSCAPE CAMERAS:
Good ($550 at Amazon): Sony a6000 help.tc/a6000
Better ($1,400) at Amazon: Nikon D5500 help.tc/D5500 & Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 help.tc/s35
Best ($3,150) at Amazon: Pentax K-1 help.tc/K1 & Pentax 24-70 f/2.8 help.tc/p24
PORTRAIT CAMERAS:
Beginner ($950 at Amazon): Canon T6i help.tc/t6i & Canon 50mm f/1.8 help.tc/c50
Better ($3,000 at Amazon): Nikon D610 help.tc/d610 & Tamron 70-200 f/2.8 help.tc/t200
Best ($5,300) at Amazon: Nikon D810 help.tc/d810 & Nikon 70-200 f/2.8E help.tc/n200e
WILDLIFE CAMERAS:
Starter ($1,100 at Amazon): Canon 7D help.tc/7D & Canon 400mm f/5.6 help.tc/c400
Great ($3,200 at Amazon): Nikon D500 help.tc/d500 & Nikon 200-500 f/5.6 help.tc/n500
VIDEO CAMERAS:
Beginner ($500 at Amazon): Panasonic G7 help.tc/g7 & Panasonic 14-42mm help.tc/p42
Better ($1,400 at Amazon): Panasonic GH4 amzn.to/2p5dAmD & Panasonic 14-140 f/3.5-5.6 help.tc/p140
Best ($4,300 at Amazon): Panasonic GH5 help.tc/gh5 & Metabones Speed Booster XL help.tc/mbxl & Sigma 18-35 f/1.8 help.tc/s35 & Sigma 50-100 f/1.8 help.tc/s100
DRONES:
Beginner ($400 at Amazon): DJI Phantom 3 help.tc/p3
Travel ($1,000 at Amazon): DJI Mavic Pro help.tc/Mavic
Better Image Quality ($1,500 at Amazon): DJI Phantom 4 Pro help.tc/p4p

[@TonyAndChelsea]

⭐ A bunch of studio gear from Amazon⭐ Canon 5Dsr: help.tc/5Dsr Canon 70-200 f/2.8: help.tc/canonportrait Manfrotto Ball Head: help.tc/ballhead Dell P2415Q 4k Monitor: help.tc/4kMonitor PC-130A Mobile Computer Cart: help.tc/cart Paul C. Buff Cyber Commander: help.tc/Cyber Paul C. Buff Einsten E640: help.tc/E640

[@bird271828]

Chelsea, Tony, thank you for the tour. It's fun watching your studio equipment.

[@crocellian2972]

Thank you for this film. I am building a macro studio for my wife's glass art. It is a huge jump from adventure ( suicidal) photography of my last 3 decades. Your books, video, web, ebook, multimedia approach is the future. It works. Thank you.

[@oscarjara5852]

Great video! Just wanted to say thanks. You got me started on the right direction when I first picked up a camera. Your videos convinced me to buy a Canon 5d Mark III and a Canon 7d Mark II with a Sigma 18-35mm lens. I think it's such a good combo to have for portraits, wildlife, and landscape photography. Love all your videos! Don't ever stop making 'em. They're very helpful.

[@rayaanofficial8613]

I am a self-learned photographer and I personally found your channel very much helpful, frankly speaking there are no one to teach me but from you guys I have learned many things. Thank-you so much Tony & Chelsea for all the guidance. :) and if there is any way that I can reach you both please please please let me know be it any medium it is.

[@mixc8]

Great videoTony & Chelsea this goes to show you that you can have a great studio on a budget and like many of us we don't have the pleasure of having a large space. Been watching your videos for some time now please keep up the good work!

[@misterstratocaster]

Back in the film days, I used an Arkay camera stand that let me move the camera up and down quickly - also rolled around easily. Used air cushioned light stands on wheels with Photogenic Flashmaster strobes. Also used quickly adjustable posing stools (can't remember the brand name)

[@adriandumont1]

Really great video guys. Many thanks indeed. I have just spent an hour or two watching your videos and have found them really useful! Thank you.

[@MrCliffLemar]

I love watching your videos. Always informative and inspirational.

[@PhardonMedia]

Very familier and warm explanation for us. Thank you.

[@RedDirtAlleyPhotography]

LOVE your videos! You guys are absolutely hilarious! It makes watching and my sad face of "wishing" for all the great equipment I want for my studio a hellava lot easier :) Thanks for the great info!

[@StephanieLuff]

I'd love to see a video on shooting with the fog machine!

[@jtes1442]

Tony , you should (if you haven't already) do a tutorial on the Cyber Commander . You have a knack for breaking things down in an easy to follow manner. Keep up the great work.

[@jackwednesday]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 love these two!! They save me so much money on training!!

[@suj1945]

Pretty sweet setup !

[@rainbowclash1233]

Great video! This is just what I wanted!

[@cameragearstudio5720]

Hey Chelsea and Tony. Really enjoy your videos. Very insightful.

[@loridethlefs2514]

I am new to photography. Love your channel. Best photography channel on You Tube!

[@hackitbuildittestit4920]

love your videos!!! keep up the great work!!!

[@jimksa67]

Nice studio! ..and you guys really work well together- a miracle in the business world. I presume you have fire safety stuff and first aid kit - cold paks etc Thanks for the vid!

[@jaecha1857]

Awesome video, thanks for sharing such informal content!

[@merindaedmonds8730]

Love the shoes Chelsea!

[@iwave000]

Thanks! Awesome video! Keep it up guys. You are my favorite channel for this kind of stuff. Tony looks pretty cool with a beard. Just saying Chelsea.

[@RajivDesai1955]

Hi Tony and Chelsea. I have been watching many of your video clips. I am passionate hobbyist for photography. I am also artist doing sketching and painting. Your inputs through these video clips are very much valuable to me. Your style is simple and effective. I am still waiting to master manual settings as well as set up of home studio. I appreciate your best guidance for that. Best wishes. Rajiv

[@richardbryan2020]

Hi Tony, your videos are well done and easy to follow.............Thank You..Rick Bryan, Tiny Ontario, Canada

[@drewster]

great video guys, very interesting and informative.

[@VideoGamingPersona]

Watching this in 2020. Theyre an awesome couple.

[@benpossehl]

Looks great guys!

[@HimanshuMakwana007]

Hey tony i have seen a lot of video on youtube, but i found your videos are great, in depth, precise and with great reasoning...thanks for sharing. As i am a newbie in photography, i would like to start up a small home studio on a tight budget, can you tell me where to start, i would love to grow my setup in future but for now most basic lightning setup(Flash/continuous)? Thanks keep up the good work...

[@matsemillian]

Awesome videos, I really appreciate it.

[@NestoRides514]

Loved the video, would it be possible to do a video speaking of studio equipment for beginners? Thank you.

[@matsches]

Love your shoes, Tony ;)

[@smaakjeks]

Great video! Maybe one day I'll have a studio, too...

[@eddierey220]

awesome video guys!

[@cca33]

Would love an updated tour!

[@bobbyb38]

awesome information...thanks so much

[@HaouasLeDocteur]

Good stuff!!

[@mgrima91]

Hey guys. Love all of your work! Just a quick question: does the Paul Buff Commander and the CSRB+ receivers work for ALL flash types? I have multiple Menik FM strobes, SB-900 speedlites and 600EX-RT speedlights that I am currently using with remote triggers. However it would make like so much easier if I could control them all remotely! Can I do this using the strobes and a combo of the speedlights in one set up?

[@gollumxonpc5162]

Haha Chelsea pulled out the "I'm as tall as Tony" shoes ;D

[@PhotoshopMeNow]

+gollumxOnPc always. I love tall shoes.

[@gollumxonpc5162]

***** I tried my mums tall shoes a few years ago. Thank god males dont wear them ;D

[@kevindiossi]

Best tip? "Don't throw babies." hahaha Where did you get that faux wood sheet? I also used vinyl flooring panels. Cheap alternatives.

[@Darkreine99]

I use steel shot for shotgun reloads in my sandbags, it is very dense and clean.

[@gaijinhito]

makes me want to do some shopping :D

[@AudioAftershock]

Yes great, a fantastic video of all the equipment I can't afford, this is nice.

[@SsgtHolland]

This is a budget lighting setup, Paul C Buff is dirt-cheap, compared to professional brands.

[@AudioAftershock]

How much is an average budget lighting setup in total?

[@hawg427]

We used Photogenic lighting in photo school, expensive back in the late 70's. What are some good battery portable strobes? The ProPhoto ones look good but are not cheap. Now if I had an indoor studio and lots of money I'd love a studio full of Broncolor strobes :-) and a huge studio like that short bald guy from England. LOL

[@TonyAndChelsea]

hawg427 We use the Vagabond Minis from Paul C Buff.

[@hitmhard]

Ha, I don't know if y'all are aware of this, but today marks your 13th anniversary on KZbin!! Thank you! I was looking for a place to message a question.

[@stephenlikestools6846]

Thanks, nice to here when pros buy used, as that is my path too. Do you have a source or brand name for the heavy backdrop material?

[@jjbenz9633]

TN is a bad ass hats off

[@jeffdownfield1455]

Great share thank you. What kind of lighting do you use for your videos? Thanks again.

[@timmark4190]

Great video

[@paulybluenose]

Hi Chelsea and Tony, thanks so much for your amazing videos. I am trying to find a vinyl backdrop like the old weathered wood flooring one you have in your studio.... I looked on the B&H site but could not find one....Any idea where you bought yours, its perfect for a project I'm working on..

[@TonyAndChelsea]

+Paul Hill Hi Paul. You can get the wood-look backdrop here: sdp.io/woodbackdrop It's actually printed on a fabric-like surface with a rubber backing. I really like it because the lack of shine makes it look very real in photos.

[@curt248]

I noticed in a comment that you recommend a ceiling at least 12 feet high. Could you go over the advantages of using that over a nine foot ceiling (we were considering using a room with that height) and what I might lose out on by using a nine foot ceiling? We also have a room with 20 foot ceilings but had not considered that room since it is our main living room. Funny, I have many books on studio photography but don't remember this practical suggestion on ceiling height (maybe because it's not modifiable, I disregarded it). I do remember having problems with a softbox and an eight for ceiling.

[@sski66]

Nice informative video guys. I'm just wondering, knowing how meticulous u guys are how come it was so noisy, I noticed especially on the wall.

[@HeidiVarela]

What portrait studio lens would you recommend for a T6 or 70D cropped sensor camera? I’d appreciate options on affordability. Thanks for the studio light suggestion, bought the Paul C Buff Einstein’s for my classroom.

[@igetsmart]

awesome guys

[@johnfurious8419]

Another awesome video... So much to consider. Problem, solution, Problem, solution. LOL

[@Palmstar125]

Thanks for sharing

[@veselinvasilev9362]

Thank You!

[@brandonwarren4349]

hi can I just ask where you buy your back drops from please I really like the frist one you show with the bottom and I would just really like to know where you get them thanks :D

[@dzalien8995]

thank you tony

[@markpatterson2718]

oops the umbrella science of Photography : after making those comments how -many white umbrella reflectors hadn't really grabbed me to make an investment in an actual reflector style umbrella until Adorama, seeing Tony and Chelsea in the youtube line up instantly brought me back to remembrance, - Tony did a photo class with Chelsea sitting in a living room corner, I was impressed with with that tutorial, but sorry to say I didn't see any other tutorials in my searches I felt comfortable with outside Adorama on reflector umbrella Photography, soft boxes took over the world ,

[@redbuzzardbass]

Monster fans are also great if you're shooting a Bon Jovi video. Just a thought.

[@briancrawford9600]

Thanks for the reply but could you recommend a portable back drop that's portable and not wall mounted

[@nossacamera]

Great info! I've been always shooting on location but now looking to start a studio in my living room with speedlights... any tips on where to get good backdrops?

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Diego Nossa we use the vinyl backdrops from B&H.

[@nossacamera]

+Tony Northrup Thank you! I'm not used to studio setups is not really my style nossa.camera/ but I think is gonna be easier to set up shoots with my clients. I normally use 1 or 2 speedlites at their location. Do you have any tips or guides for studio lightning in a low budget with only speedlites?

[@auroragio]

Hi Tony, will you make a review of Tokina 24-70 f2.8

[@andrenj1970]

real nice:)

[@ravindrajahagirdar2701]

Great.

[@Camrographer]

How do you feel about LED panels for continuous lighting as opposed to strobes?

[@GBftw]

Do you have any recommendations for those outside the us? C buff doesn't do international shipping and your book doesn't cover light modifying brands :(

[@dansilviu3035]

Nice

[@honda619boy]

can you do a video on a shoot in your studio

[@matthewf9872]

What backdrop support stand/crossbar did you use to hold the backdrops?

[@KB2CWN]

Gezzzz...Someone is loaded $$$$$ I'd be satisfied with the 5Ds r!

[@jlgoins64]

maybe you're just a broke ass fucker

[@Neopulse00]

Heh guys, I remember you guys did the tethering video recently, but was wondering if the difference in speed with Lightroom and Capture One was with the Tether Boost or not?

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Neopulse00 I've never heard of Tether Boost, so I guess not.

[@Neopulse00]

Tony Northrup Check it out, supposedly it helps with tethering speeds. It's reasonably priced at $55 bucks. www.amazon.com/Tether-Tools-TetherBoost-Core-Controller/dp/B00T4SIGR8/ref=sr_1_sc_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440542100&sr=8-1-spell&keywords=thether+boost Not sponsored or anything, just thought it was something worth noting when you guys did the tethering video. I'd like to see if it made a difference between using Lightroom and Capture One Pro.

[@FelixGA9]

cute little studio. You may want to order yourself up black/white foam core for VFLATS. When you really get into it, the warm kick off the floor and walls will start to get annoying. A color neutral paint choice might have been better Its too bad that fan overhead is going to limit where you can put lighting. Grip 101, I couldn't help but notice that you are using C-stand arms in the wrong orientation. Yes there is a right way and a wrong way to use a C-stand. The Arm with the Einstein and dish is setup for a fall, the orientation of the arm should be so that gravity exerting force on the end of the arm will pull it down and tighten the knuckle joint at the stand. Right now you have it setup so that gravity pulling down on the head and dish will loosen the knuckle joint at the stand. It may seem like a small insignificant detail that many people miss but it will save you from bouncing some expensive strobe gear.

[@PhotoshopMeNow]

+FelixGA9 The room is still a work in progress. It was the last owners home gym, so we have to take down those mirrors and get the walls painted white.

[@FelixGA9]

white is an interesting choice. Personally i hate all white studios. it usually means fill and reflections come from places you don't want them to. Grey spaces are better they allow you to use only the positive or negative reflectors you need without having to worry about filling the space with extra stuff to mask out unwanted lighting effects. Use a proper boom with counter weight, safety line and a medium roller for that main light. C-stands are great but for liability issues you just don't want to take chances on anything that is near or above your talents head! A couple of v-flats black side stacked 12ft high in on the side of that sweep will kill the ochre fill from your current wall paint. another sheet of black foam core on the floor will kill the warm fill. Most people wont bother to do such things, but those refinements allow you to get the best effect from whatever your modifier/s of choice would be.

[@kitpennebaker]

That c-stand step up was driving me crazy the whole video. Of course your c-stands arms sag and fall. Its rigged completely in reverse and the grip head is being use backwards too. Avenger stands are too expensive no need to spend. A good old American or Matthews c-stand will work great if you use it correctly

[@curt248]

Do you control the ambient light in the room at all?

[@SaurabhBeedkar]

Can you recommend a wireless ETTL flash trigger system for Nikon d 810? Preferably radio frequency based

[@TonyAndChelsea]

+Saurabh Beedkar We're testing a few different wireless flashes at the moment, so stay tuned.

[@StephanEilert]

Hahaha backup camera: 5d Mk III. Damn :) Its kinda too tight over there, isnt it?

[@CatherineNueraRosario]

I am using a sony A7II AND A6000, i wanted to know if its possible to used a PHOTTIX ODIN transmitter and receiver to synchronize with the elinchrom bx 500 ri and use only the ODIN transmitter to control the setting of the strobe without touching the strobe , does anybody knew about it please ?? help...

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Catherine Rosario Cabalan You could trigger the strobe remotely with the odin and a PC sync cable, but it won't give you remote control of the output. Elinchrom has their own remote power control system (though I don't recall if it works with the BX 500).

[@barrycomer3688]

What about a sound system for music during shooting?

[@WarGardensForVictory]

what is the size of your room?

[@TripleMachine]

Cool video thanks for sharing. Who's hand is @ 5:58 ?

[@DREAMOFFlCIAL]

Justin's, perhaps?

[@chrishastings]

Tony Northrup what are the dimensions of your room HxWxD ? I have a small room that I am finding it difficult to fit the lights in 3 x 5 meters, any advice?

[@PhotoshopMeNow]

+Chris Hastings Our room dimensions (LxWxH) are: 23' x 13' x 12' Which lights are you trying to fit?

[@chrishastings]

***** I have 4 Elinchrom Strobes. soft box's a colapsable backdrop and the biggest problem is my Manfrotto Boom stand www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/546705-REG/Manfrotto_420B_420B_Combi_Boom_Stand.html

[@jrob_drums]

The "T" in Chauvet is silent :) Made me lol thanks

[@ireviewtech4you825]

What is the ball head that the camera is on please.

[@rialbb]

im comin' over

[@Dmsstudios64]

what do you when you need a fan on location? whats you good portable location gear Tony Northrup

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Dms Sutdios64 we often use Vagabond Minis for portable power, but you can also just have someone wave a big folding reflector to create some wind.

[@Dmsstudios64]

Tony Northrup I will have to look into that one cause i tent to be a one man crew most times so that power pack sounds interesting.

[@sabyfoz538]

😍😍😍😍😍

[@fromanabe8639]

I use sand in my sandbags, but I put it in Ziploc bags first.

[@derryk1]

I use bird shot or BB's the type you would use for a airgun just dont shoot your eye out.. Gravel is too rough will wear down the material after a while and will tear open.

[@AgnostosGnostos]

I always wondered if so specialized videos about photography have a place in KZbin. A person who uses or plan to use such equipments have already knowledge and doesn't expect to learn something more in KZbin. 👀 Nevertheless the video is very informative and nice. 👍

[@Dariovich]

+Agnostos Gnostos thinkin u know everything there is, its the first sign that you should search for the ground cuz you are walkin in the clouds already.

[@PhotoshopMeNow]

+Agnostos Gnostos A lot of people want to build a studio but don't know what to buy.

[@ruzzyshuya4832]

+Agnostos Gnostos I got a second hand 450D primarily for Astrophotography, but decided that 90% of the utility is going to waste. I'm not going to go on a photography course just yet, so videos such as what Tony and Chelsea make are incredibly useful for an absolute beginner. Bought their book and have enjoyed it. KZbin's just one of them domains; it isn't specialised at all. Even with something as important as changing brake pads in a car, I bet there's a video on here about it. It's very common now. If you don't know something you Google it, if you want to know how to do something, you KZbin it.

[@TecCkey]

You should use the pentax 645z with the hasselblad 110 f2

[@Neopulse00]

They shoot relatively fast subjects at times in the studio like kids where rapidfire is needed. i don't think the Pentax 645z would help them. Maybe the K-3II.

[@TecCkey]

Well i dont think their strobes can keep up with the rapidfire of a 5d mk3 so for like model shoots it would be awesome

[@Neopulse00]

TecCkey I remember seeing a video where the D5500 was being used with their Einstein strobes and it did fair well. Not sure what the max fps is on it, but 640W is a nice amount of power storage if you ask me when you use fast-freezing sync speeds.

[@MarceloTezza]

I though it was the same monitor as mine the 27" p2715q.

[@andre1k28]

Lasko...and now i want a beer...

[@ronniegogs]

What is the horizontal arm on the tripod... I have been looking for something which can handle more weight

[@MichaelKeeter]

ronniegogs I'd like to know the same thing.

[@CaliforniaTravelVideos]

ronniegogs That looks like the Manfrotto 131D Lateral Side Arm for Tripods, which has lots of uses including adding a plate for your laptop for tethered shots.

[@ronniegogs]

***** Thank you :)

[@hadar218]

The whole studio with everything in it is like 40,000$! Great video :)

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Hadar Youavian Well, you don't need the computer, and just handhold whatever camera you already own. Everything else in the studio is pretty rock-bottom cheap--you really can't get much less expensive than used Alien Bees lights (without giving up functionality).

[@raipe76]

Tony, what do you like Canon 7D MK ll Camera ?

[@TonyAndChelsea]

+That Canon Guy It's our favorite sports and wildlife body: northrup.photo/reviews/cameras/canon/7d-mark-ii/

[@raipe76]

+Tony Northrup i just buy it in last friday and i have taken few photos and i really like it... Just thinking if i sell my 1D X And buy then 5D iv When it cames... 5Ds and 5Dsr is the second thinking... But don't know would that 5D iv better choice than these two 5D's.....

[@briancrawford9600]

What do you hold your backdrops with??

[@TonyAndChelsea]

Brian Crawford It's one of these: amzn.to/1h91dBy and three of these (in different colors): amzn.to/1KfH1tJ

[@derplaga]

The geer is expensive, what about recommend for a low budget person like majority of people.

[@AndrewRaia]

"I'm a cheapskate" while standing next to equipment worth more than my house LOL

[@ChrisAdval]

4:50 you must be the luckiest guy on the planet. I spent months on ebay for used good deals on B800s, the best I can find is saving $20...seconds before the auctions end too! And years old saving $20... not worth it.

[@iGarni]

The first thing I do before watching your videos is like it 😉