What Color to Paint my Studio Walls?

3 years 6 months ago #697486 by Justin Cramer
I need to change up my white walls and I need some creative input from you.  Which color would you paint your studio walls?


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3 years 6 months ago #697498 by Nikon Shooter
NO COLOUR, Justin.

Two points to keep in mind:
  1. the inverse square law and
  2. an extended set of tools.
1. the inverse square law
If you understand that law, then anything between pure white
and mid-light grey will be just fine… I preferred the first.

2. an extended set of tools
if you go for pure white, more flags will be needed but that is
a small detail considering the advantages.

Flags, diffusers & reflectors should be considered in any case.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
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3 years 6 months ago #697543 by Shadowfixer1
Middle gray. You can drive it to black or white depending on your setup and settings.
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3 years 6 months ago #697553 by Nikon Shooter
The whiter you get, the lesser flash power will be needed
when using the walls but the more when avoiding them.

The darker the walls… will flip the flash situation but not the
total power.

Light is free… capturing it is not!
Photo Comments
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3 years 6 months ago #697565 by CharleyL
My studio walls and ceiling are pure white. The can said "Ceiling White". Even my overhead light suspension system is painted ceiling white. I have worked in black studios and didn't like it, both for the spooky feeling, and for the complete lack of  reflection of the lights. You need much more light power when working in a totally black studio. Some photographers like this, but I don't. I have never worked in a completely gray studio, and have never even seen one. I think I may have seen enough gray when on the Navy ship.

I have several portable insulation panels that are painted ceiling white on one side and flat black on the other, so I can position and use them, and some foam core flags when I want more reflection or I don't want the reflection of the white walls or panels to affect the shot. I had considered a gray floor, but so far the brown wood floor has not been a problem. A totally white studio isn't spooky either. It's a bright refreshing place to work in.

A gray floor and gray backdrop can be colored with the lights and filters to make them any color. I've been doing this with the gray backdrop, but so far when a gray floor was needed, just some gray muslin on the floor has worked fine for the very few times that I've wanted this. If I should replace the floor someday, it will likely become a wood grain style medium gray tile. 

Charley 


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3 years 6 months ago #697626 by Photo Amigo
My photography room (not exactly a studio) has light grey walls.  


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3 years 6 months ago #697664 by Ian Stone

Shadowfixer1 wrote: Middle gray. You can drive it to black or white depending on your setup and settings.



:agree:   my thoughts as well 


Photo Comments
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3 years 6 months ago #697715 by Moe
I am more for the dark gray 


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3 years 6 months ago #697728 by fmw
Leave it white. It isn't social room.  It is a work place and white doesn't interfere with color photography.  The only other sensible option is gray.


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