Have you ever looked at a cyclorama before? A 360° view of a panoramic image. It is a seamless image of a panoramic photograph. But before a warehouse photography studio was used for a white cyclorama, let’s read a bit about how cyclorama came to be.
The cyclorama started as a panorama painting by Irish painter, Robert Baker. He painted the panoramic view from Calton Hill in Edinburg, Scotland. He then went on to open the first cyclorama building in Edinburg in 1787.
Today, cyclorama is used in photography, where usually a seamless white wall is used for photography or video recording. This gives the illusion that the room is a lot larger or the end of the room is far away.
A white cyclorama is used as a studio set or a stage background. With the perfect lighting, the room can look like it has infinite space.
Here are some tips for you if you plan on building your white cyclorama studio:
- You can obtain the cyclorama curve by using plywood sheets that are bent to curve against the wall and the studio floor. By placing the plywood in this position, you will get the seamless wall that will give the illusion that the room doesn’t have an end. Make sure you secure the wood in place so it does not move. If multiple sheets are placed, ensure they are aligned equally and bend with the same curve as the one next to it.
- Make sure you smooth out any harsh edges with plaster before applying paint. Doing this will give you a clean base for your paint and make your white cyclorama wall look perfect. Remember to apply plaster over any screws or nails that were used. Smoothen any space left between the sheets or if the sheets were layered over each other. This will give you a good seamless base.
- Painting more than one coat of white paint will be more effective when you are trying to achieve that perfect white wall. Painting one single coat may leave the wall looking patchy. Adding at least two coats of paint will make the paint look brighter and you can ensure the paint is evenly applied all over the wall and floor. Ensure that the white is the same shade throughout the surface that is painted.
- Ensure you have the correct lighting in your studio. Having the perfect lighting can make a monumental difference in your photos or videos. Placing and angling the lights in the right position can give you the best results. Make sure that no shadows are falling on the wall and adjust the positions of your lights accordingly. Also, try to avoid harsh lighting during the shoots. Softer and evenly spread lighting makes the white cyclorama look better as well as the subject of the project.
Turning an unwanted warehouse into a photography studio can be one of the best uses of the empty space. The vast space is useful for photography or video projects that require a huge background in a controlled environment. Not only can you block unneeded light during the day to make it seem like night, but you can easily add the appropriate amount of light for shoots that require a daytime setting.
The Different Uses of a Warehouse Photography Studio:
- Filming scenes for a movie- A warehouse can make an excellent location for filming scenes in a movie. A warehouse can be a set by itself or a set can be built inside a warehouse to look like what is needed in a specific scene that could not be found outside. The use of green screens is also very common in movie production as it would save a lot of money and the background can be easily added in post-production.
- Shooting scenes for a television show – A warehouse can be rented for a long term to be used as a set for a regularly airing TV show or for shooting scenes of different shows by a broadcasting network. A warehouse photography studio can be converted into a set for a television show. The props and set are so well made sometimes that viewers find it impossible to tell the difference if it’s a real place or a fake one built in a warehouse.
- Music video shoot – Making a music video can be easy or difficult depending upon the concept and idea. Using a warehouse photography studio can be beneficial for any concept that requires a setup built. It is also useful for filming performances where a green screen is involved.
- Photoshoot – A warehouse photography studio is ideal for photoshoots as you have enough space needed for them. By adding a white cyclorama, you can have a perfect backdrop for your photoshoot. You can even add extra props for the photoshoot that fits the theme. Even the natural warehouse space can be used as a photoshoot background. With the right lighting, any place can look beautiful.
Some photography tips for beginner photographers. These can be useful for your next white cyclorama photoshoot.
1. Learn to hold your camera correctly.
Holding your camera incorrectly could lead to blurry images as your grip could be shaky. By learning how to hold your camera properly, you can get better quality images even if your camera isn’t on a tripod.
Holding your camera with both hands is better than holding it with just one hand. Once you’re used to holding the camera, you can develop your own way of holding the camera that makes you feel comfortable. Until then, holding the camera by supporting its weight with one hand and gripping with the other is important. This will also prevent you from accidentally dropping your camera.
2. Understand the three elements of exposure.
The three elements of exposure, also known as the exposure triangle are the most important elements of exposure. Maintaining a good balance between the ISO, aperture, and shutter speed is essential if you are shooting in manual mode.
The ISO is your camera’s light sensitivity level. A low ISO is preferable when you are taking photos in a bright setting, for example, outdoor photography during the day. A higher ISO is necessary if you are taking photos indoors with less lighting or at night time.
Aperture is an opening in your camera’s lens that lets light come through. You can control the size of the opening and decide how much light should go through to the camera’s sensor.
The shutter speed is the amount of time the shutter stays open when you are taking a photo. A fast shutter speed is useful to freeze motion, whereas a slow shutter speed is good for taking blurred images or moving lights during the night.
3. Remember to check the ISO before you start shooting.
Always check the ISO before you start taking pictures or shooting a video for a project. It is not always possible to edit or recreate the photos after making a mistake, especially if it was a rare moment. It is better to be safe than sorry. Therefore, make it a habit to check if the ISO is correct before a shoot.
4. Pay attention to the background of the subject.
Aim to keep your background as simple as possible. Having too much happening in the background can draw the attention away from the subject of the photograph. Therefore, minimalistic backgrounds and neutral colors are preferable.
To fix a distracting background, you can try changing the position of your subject or your shooting angles. If a distracting background is not avoidable, you can use a wider aperture and focus on the subject more.
5. Try shooting with different perspectives.
Experiment with different perspectives, play around and explore creative angles. A change in perspective can make the result very different from what you originally envisioned.
A picture of a person the same height as the photographer can look different if the angle is changed. For example, when taking a picture while keeping the camera closer to the ground can make an average height person look much taller.
6. Always keep the eyes in focus.
Whenever we look at a person’s face, our focus usually goes on the eyes first. Similarly, when capturing portraits, ensure that you focus on the eyes. A clear and sharp view of the eyes can be really good, especially if you are taking a close-up picture of a face.
7. A tripod is an essential investment for a photographer.
A tripod can be very handy if you want to avoid shaky photographs. The tripod will keep the camera perfectly still and there are other benefits to this as well.
If you want to take long-exposure photographs, a tripod was very useful. You can keep the shutter open for several seconds and not have to worry about any movement ruining the photograph. A tripod is very good for time-lapse photography too.
8. Shoot during the ‘golden hour’.
Many photographers, amateur or professional, would recommend taking pictures with natural lighting. Sunlight, depending on the time of the day, can make a picture look so much beautiful compared to studio lighting.
Since natural lighting does change throughout the day, the best time to capture photographs using sunlight is at dusk and dawn. The soft lighting gives a good warm tone to the pictures that you would not get with harsher sunlight in the middle of the day.
9. Use good photo editing software.
Photo editing software is good to use when you have to enhance the pictures captured. You can get several useful tools in a good photo editing software that can change the image to look more appealing.
Using good software will also give you good results. You can achieve high-quality edited images that may not always be possible with lower-grade options.
10. Don’t be disappointed if you make mistakes.
To perfect any skill, trial and error is a part of the process. Do not give up if the results did not turn out as well as you expected. Mistakes can be a good teacher and hence we can learn from them. The next time you get a bad picture, observe what went wrong and you can try fixing it till you get it right.
Videography tips when you need to shoot a video in a warehouse photography studio.
1. Always use landscape mode while filming.
While filming a video on a mobile phone or a camera, always film horizontally. Videos are more pleasant to view on a laptop or television when it is filmed in landscape mode.
Remember to not flip the camera from horizontal to vertical mode during filming.
2. Use a Tripod or a Dolly for stability.
A tripod is essential for a stable video. A shaky video can be a let-down even if the content is excellent. Using a tripod will provide stability in longer scenes which would not be possible with a handheld camera.
If the camera needs to move ahead for a moving shot, a dolly should be used. A dolly is a cart with wheels that can hold a camera. It will provide smooth camera movement without shakiness.
3. Plan the Shots that are required.
Being prepared is always a good thing, especially in filming. Planning and figuring out what you want to film and what the shots should look like beforehand is a good practice. This way, you save time and energy on the day of filming. Getting spontaneous good shots is a bonus but if you achieve what you aimed for, you will not be disappointed.
I hope these tips will be helpful for the next time you have to make a film or a photo shoot. You can improve your photography skills with some practice if you have a project that involves a white cyclorama. Do not be disheartened if you are not getting good results. Everyone can improve with practice.
When you are filming a video, think like a videographer and not a photographer. Pay attention to the details and with practice, you can be an excellent videographer. If you are a beginner, start with small projects, and someday you might be shooting a great action scene in a warehouse photography studio.
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