What do photographers call a studio area with a backdrop, floor covering, and props?
Asked 3/10/2018
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I'm new to studio photography and still learning the terminology. If you set up a shooting area in a studio with a backdrop, floor covering, lighting, and props, what is that usually called? Is the correct term a set, a scene, or something else?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
8y ago
2 Answers
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It's a set.
It shares terminology with the TV/film industry.
The building is the studio. The definition would include pretty much any building with room[s] designed or modified to be used for photography/cinematography.
It contains one or more specific areas constructed for a particular shoot. Each of these areas - whether it's a mock-up of the entire interior of a stately home, or a simple backdrop & a small stand to rest a beer bottle - is a set.
This extends to even when you're not in the studio. Your chosen building or outdoor area is then your location. Any area within that reserved for the shoot itself is also the set, even if no construction was necessary except for lighting.
I think this naming convention is to save confusion for the many people who may not be in the same location two days in a row.
You start at base [which has parking, somewhere to relax, food, hair, costume], are transferred to location & when needed you go to set... wherever it is.
Originally by user57929. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user57929
8y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
The most common term is a set.
In photography, film, and TV, the studio is the overall building or shooting space, while a set is the specific area arranged for a particular shoot. That can be anything from a simple backdrop with a few props to a fully styled room scene.
In some contexts, especially for headshots or portraits, people may also say portrait setup. At events, similar arrangements are sometimes marketed as a photo booth, even if there isn’t an actual booth.
So for general use, set is the clearest and most widely understood term.
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