Who shoots with sets?

[KevinCarter]

How many of you use sets to shoot? or build sets? I notice some editorial shooters use/build them. Is seems awfully expensive no? what would it cost to build a set of a hotel room vs. renting one out?

[Ken Krehbiel]

Kevin, I have never heard of any "editorial" shooters building or even using "sets". Seems very counter to the very concept of what "editorial" photography is from my understanding of what editorial photography is. Perhaps that is just my photojournalism education; but I think what you are refering to is "advertising" photography. Totally different animal; advertising has much bigger budgets and pays way more the editorial. The days of the big budget editorial projects seem to be long gone, along with Life mag.

Ken

Renting is almost always cheaper than building.
Ken

[michaelnotar]

i only built an office set as a photo student in college. it was two 8x8 walls and a floor. it was few week project with 4 of us, cost was about $500-800 i think. we did all the labor, framed the walls, sheet-rocked, painted and carpeted (threw a loose remnant on the ground).

it depends on how elaborate the set is...for you, what is in the room...do you need to do more than 2 walls like my project, if so rent. how often are you going to use the set/location. if a few times, rent, if you are going to spew out alot of $ for rent, build it.

[KevinCarter]

Vanity Faire uses elaborate sets, and Entertainment Weekly among others.

But you agree this is an expensive issue. How much do they run?