What do you call your shop? Woodshop, Woodworking Shop, Man (or woman) Cave, Studio? I have always just gone with the simple “shop” moniker.
“Honey, I’ll be in the shop!”
“C’mon Alex, let’s go to the shop.”
“This weekend? Oh I hung out in my shop and got a whole lot of nothing done.”
It is a generic term of endearment for me. My shop serves so many purposes beyond woodworking and like one of my favorite (now defunct) woodworking podcasters said “it is like a clubhouse”. Except I added a little something to my shop recently that is making me change my mind about all of this. It seems that with a new camera in the works, a second point of view camera, improved audio equipment, and now new lighting I need to start calling the shop a studio. That sounds so professional and makes me think I had better up my woodworking game to live up to that lofty title.
I have been plagued with poor video lighting from day one with such low ceilings so I sprung for a studio lighting kit that will allow me to shut off the overheads while I’m filming and ideally improve the overall quality of my videos, especially the detail shots. I think a little 3 point lighting is long overdue. I feel so grown up…now if I can just prevent myself from bumping into lights and tripping over cables I’ll be good.
Sorry about the poor photo stitching in this panoramic shot. It’s always hard to get it right in such a small space.
Excellent! I have the same problem in my shop and I need to take some quality still shots (in addition to video). What kit did you get and are you happy with it so far? Also, what is the wattage of each light? I’m nervous about dumping a bunch of cash into some lights only to find they aren’t bright enough.
It was an entry level kit (I have the same fears as you) from Steve Kaeser that uses 85 watt compact fluorescent for the key and fill lights and a 65 W for the hair light on the boom arm. I have only had it for about 12 hours and started playing around after WoodTalk last night. So far so good. Def bright enough for stills and close framed shots like I do in my tiny shop. It is because I lights the bench great and leaves the rest of the shop in shadow thus driving focus. And I’m not washed out under my overheads a mere 6″ above my head.
You may have you safety topic for 2013: Cable management and safe filming in the shop.
I thought you were onto something when you made the “Sandy” lighting system. I guess filming by candle light wasn’t getting it done? Thanks for a great web site and have a Merry Christmas.
Looks good. Maybe better lighting wood help my dovetail skills. I suck the last two times I worked them.
Looking good Shannon! You’re going to put me out of business!