Lighting, Equipment, Power and Wi-Fi
The house lights, and the equipment provided
About Lighting, Equipment, Power and Wi-Fi
Lighting and filming equipment at Queen's Butler The Studio means the continuous light (Amaran 300C) and softbox (Aputure Quick Dome 90) provided, the lights of the house itself (the nine-light Maria Theresa chandelier, the six- and three-light JOGLAR, the bronze standing chandelier and the candelabra), and the house power supply and Wi-Fi.
In a windowless house, deciding the light first makes for a steady shoot
Lighting a windowless house means composing the scene from the house lights and continuous light, without waiting on the weather or the hour outside. When you book, the butler asks your purpose (portraits, furnishings, products, video) and what equipment you will bring.
The Amaran 300C and Aputure Quick Dome 90 are the pairing for placing soft light on people and furnishings. The house has the nine lights of the dining room, the three lights and floor lamp of the study, the six lights of the fireplace room and the four of the bedroom, which support the brightness and mood of the background.
Choosing equipment is not a matter of the brighter the better, but of deciding what to show first: a face, a costume, the grain of the wood, silver, glass or flame. With a person as the subject, place the continuous light first and leave the chandelier and candelabra as a background layer, and the depth of the house comes through.
See the guide to light and composition
Lighting equipment and the house lights are combined by role
| Continuous light | Amaran 300C (RGB, 300W). Mounting hardware and operation to be confirmed in advance |
|---|---|
| Softbox | Aputure Quick Dome 90. Dimensions and mounting conditions to be confirmed in advance |
| House lights (dining room) | Nine-light Maria Theresa chandelier (dimmable), five-light candelabra, a pair of single candlesticks |
| House lights (study) | JOGLAR A0920 three-light, bronze standing chandelier (H 1,640 mm), brass desk lamp |
| House lights (fireplace room) | JOGLAR A0822 six-light, electric fire, candelabra on the mantelpiece |
| House lights (bedroom) | Majorelle four-light, Rococo wall brackets, four-light crystal drop |
Power and Wi-Fi are confirmed once we know your equipment
| Item | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Power | House power supply. Location and capacity to be confirmed in advance | Please tell us the equipment, number of units and power required |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi available. Connection details given on the day | For streaming or heavy data use, please consult us in advance |
| Device connection | Share the devices and their use in advance | Please bring any cables and adapters you need |
| Load-in | Via the building lift | For large equipment, please tell us dimensions and quantities in advance |
| Floor and wall protection | Consult us in advance about equipment that needs the floor or walls protected | Furnishings are moved by the butler |
| Parking | Building parking conditions and stopping for load-in to be confirmed in advance | Please tell us vehicle dimensions, number and load-in schedule |
The priority of light, sound and network changes with the purpose
Photographing people and costume
Place continuous light on the face and costume, and leave the chandelier and candelabra in the background. Check from the brightest areas so that white gloves, a black coat and gilded furnishings all read at once.
Read more
Photographing products and furnishings
Wood, silver, porcelain and cloth each return light differently. Place small subjects in the study or on a tabletop, keeping distance from the background furnishings to define their outline.
Read more
Recording interviews and video
Beyond lighting the subject, decide the microphones, tripods, the opening of doors and the butler's serving route first. For streaming over Wi-Fi, please tell us the content and the devices to be connected in advance.
Read moreEquipment is arranged through five checks, from load-in to load-out
Tell us the purpose and the intended result
Photography, video, an interview, streaming or a meeting, and the person or furnishing you wish to make the subject. The butler suggests the space best suited and the house lights.
Share the equipment you will bring
Tell us in advance the type, number, dimensions and power requirements of cameras, lights, tripods, microphones and backdrops. For large items, the load-in route is also checked.
Decide where things go inside the house
On arrival, decide with the butler where equipment, cases and costumes will be placed, keeping clear the swing of the double doors and each room's door, and the routes for escape and movement.
Set the house lights first
Switch on the chandeliers, candelabra and desk lamps you will use and check the brightness of the background. Candelabra with live flame are handled by the butler.
Place the continuous light on the subject
When using the Amaran 300C and Quick Dome 90, check the distance to the subject and the direction of the shadows.
Equipment in the house
- Lighting equipment provided (Amaran 300C, Quick Dome 90)
- Dimming of the house lights and the candelabra (handled by the butler)
- House power supply and Wi-Fi. Location, capacity and network conditions confirmed in advance
- The butler's assistance with set-up: moving furnishings, operating lights, opening doors
Equipment you bring
- Cameras, lenses, tripods, microphones, recorders (please bring your own)
- Backdrop paper, stands and other tools specific to your work (may be brought)
- Smoke, open flame and high-volume equipment
- Large equipment or high-power equipment not confirmed in advance
Near the antiques, distance is checked before light
The rules for placing equipment exist to secure the positions needed for a shoot or recording while protecting the furnishings, floors, walls and people. The furniture and silver of the house are the backdrop to your shoot, and at the same time pieces the butler actually cares for.
Lights, tripods, backdrops and cables are placed clear of the swing of doors and the butler's path. Nothing is placed where it could reach a piece of furniture if it fell, and anything that must be fixed to the floor or walls should be discussed before set-up.
If you need to touch the chandeliers, candelabra, armour, paintings or hall clock, always ask the butler. We first suggest ways that leave the furnishings untouched: a slight change of angle, or moving the subject's position.
QMay I use strobes?
If you would like to bring them, please tell us the model, number and power required in advance. On the day, the butler checks with you a position that avoids heat or contact with the furnishings.
QWill you show me how to use the lighting equipment?
The butler shows you the power supply and where to set up. Detailed settings and photographic decisions for each piece of work are left to you.
QCan the brightness of the chandeliers be changed?
Some of the lights are dimmable. The butler can also prepare a scene by candlelight alone.
QMay I bring equipment in the day before?
If you would like to load in the day before, please consult us before booking. We check the equipment, its dimensions and the house's availability before advising.
QCan I stream over the Wi-Fi?
Wi-Fi is available, but please tell us in advance the content of the stream, the bandwidth needed and the devices to be connected. Allowing time to check the connection and audio before going live is reassuring.
QWhat is the power capacity?
We confirm this individually once we know the name, number and power requirements of your equipment. For exact locations and capacity, please ask the butler in a consultation or site visit before booking.
About using The Studio
- The manor is never let unattended. A butler is present for every booking, and keys are not handed over
- You are welcome to bring your own food and drink. We do not provide meals
- Please use the antique furnishings under the butler's guidance. The armour, hall clock, porcelain and silver are handled by the butler
- Please consult us in advance about loud sound or the use of naked flames
- Prices shown include tax
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For questions about equipment, ask the butler.
Tell us the equipment and power you will bring, and the dimensions for load-in. The butler will prepare the house.