A question often asked by those setting up their photography studio for the first time, is which color is best to use for the studio walls, white or grey? While both colors are neutral, some professional photographers who have been in the business for quite some time say, the choice depends on one’s photography style and the subject one usually photographs.
Now if your photography style varies because your subjects are diverse, then it would be best to have at least one wall painted in white, and have the rest painted in grey. That is because a white wall background is excellent for commercial photography, particularly for products with texture or of a material that is not reflective. Some extra light bounced around by a white wall can give the right lighting effect.
However, if you will be tasked to shoot bottled products or those that come in shiny, glossy packages, a grey wall will serve as the ideal background. A white wall tends to produce extra light that is likely to bounce on the glass or shiny material, while a grey wall will absorb those extra lights, which eliminates unwanted light reflections on your photographs.
Stil, even if you decide on a white or grey color with which to paint your photography studio wall/s, there are several considerations to make before actually buying the paint material.
Important Pointers to Consider When Deciding to Use White for Studio Walls
Inasmuch as lighting is an important element in photography, deciding on a white or grey wall paint also depends on the amount of natural and/or ambient light that falls on the wall .If your photography studio has windows that bring in a lot of natural light into the room, a white wall might prove to be a less ideal choice.
Don’t Just Buy Yet In Case You Decide to Paint Your Studio Walls Grey
Another important thing to keep in mind is to buy matte white or matte grey, which is the same as flat white or flat paint. Matte or flat paints are non-reflective and are easier to apply aside from being less costly.
However, when it comes to choosing grey, bear in mind that grey paints come in different shades or tones, whilst having different capabilities in absorbing light. While there are lighter, slightly darker or darker shades of grey, the natural or ambient light that falls on grey-painted surfaces will reflect differently.
Photography studio owners who have been through this experience, give advice not to buy the whole lot of paint materials just yet. Buy sample sizes of three different shades to help you make the right decisions in buying the right shades of grey. Aside from the amount of light that will reflect on the wall, the size of the area in which the light comes also play an important in your decision making.
Test each paint sample on a patch that measures at least 3 square feet of the wall on which the paint will be applied. Wait until the patches are dry and smooth, because in that condition, you will at least have an example which color will turn lighter once the light reflects on the wall. If on the contrary, there won’t be much reflective light coming in into your studio, it will be easier to decide on the lightest shade of grey, which you can combine with the darker shade for your ceiling.
It’s a good thing that there are now articles that share pointers and tips when choosing and buying the color to paint on your walls, especially if there is a specific purpose to consider. If you are interested in sharing your own experience and ideas about home improvement write for us as we accept guests posts for our platform.
