Rock band Ridiculous B!tch at Metro 4
The look of rain photography is incredible. Getting such photos outside is another story: waiting for the weather, getting permits for outdoor shooting, and hoping the rain doesn’t just stop when you’re ready to shoot.
Having a dedicated rain studio allows you to create a rain shot anytime. You can select the rain mode you want, set your lights how you want, and you will be able to shoot for however long you would like. No clouds to wait on, no cold models to put on makeup, and no soggy gear!
FD Photo Studio has two different rain rooms in Brooklyn: Metro 4 and Metro 5. Each studio will give you a different final look for your rain shots.
Metro 4 is the original rain room, and it’s the one to book for tight portrait work, wet-look fashion, and dramatic editorial concepts.
This 920-square-foot studio is located at 1003 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211. It has four controllable rain settings, so you can go from a light mist to a heavy downpour depending on the mood you’re after. The water is warm, and high-efficiency water and air heaters keep the room comfortable between takes.
Just note the walls here. Metro 4 has a black tile wall and a black block wall, both pre-lit with RGB wall lights you can control to color the rain however you want. Think a deep blue downpour for a moody editorial, or a hot pink wash for something more playful.
The studio also includes a park bench and a bathtub, two props that open up a lot of creative directions.
Two GVM 1500D LED panels are included at no extra cost. Every rental includes 3 c-stands, sandbags, a makeup station with mirror and seating, a sound system, and free WiFi. Paper backdrops are available for an additional price: $29.99 for a small sweep up to 6 feet on the floor, $59.99 for more than 6 feet, or $75 for a full 36-foot roll.
Rates for Metro 4 start at $49.99 per hour, with a 1-hour minimum.
Want rain with a completely seamless black background? Metro 5 is the one.
At 1,820 square feet, this is the largest blackout space in the New York lineup. It’s also located at 1003 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211. The black cyc wall removes the floor-to-wall seam entirely, giving you an infinite black look for the background. Add the rain feature on top of that, and you get a cinematic, rain-soaked void that works for everything from music videos to high-fashion editorials.
Metro 5 has a drive-in gate, so you can bring a car or motorcycle right into the studio. Metro 5 includes the same standard equipment: three flash units, wireless triggers, C-stands, sandbags, v-flats, a makeup station with mirror and seating, a sound system, and free WiFi. Continuous lighting is available for rent if you need it. Paper backdrops are available for an additional price: $29.99 for a small sweep up to 6 feet on the floor, $59.99 for more than 6 feet, or $75 for a full 36-foot roll.
Rates for Metro 5 also start at $49.99 per hour, with a 1-hour minimum. Both studios are 100% private, no permits or insurance needed, and booking is self-check-in.
Shooting in a rain room is different from shooting in regular studio conditions. Here’s what to plan for.
Lighting: Rain scatters and reflects light in ways dry surfaces don’t. A single strobe positioned behind or to the side of your subject will catch the falling water and turn it into visible streaks. Backlighting is extremely helpful here. Front lighting will reduce the visibility of the rain.
Wardrobe: Bring clothes you don’t mind getting soaked. Light-colored, thin fabrics cling and become more transparent when wet, which works for some concepts and not others. Darker, heavier fabrics hold their shape longer. Just like in a regular pool, grab a few towels from home. And if you are shooting multiple looks, pack an extra outfit for your models to change.
Hair and makeup: Waterproof makeup is a must. For hair, decide ahead of time whether you want a wet, slicked-back look or a more natural wet-but-styled finish, since that changes how your model should prepare before stepping under the rain.
Timing: Don’t rush. Test your rain setting and lighting with a stand-in or test shot before your model gets wet. Adjusting rain intensity mid-shoot is easy, but you’ll save time by dialing it in first.
Motion and rainfall enhance each other. Shooting a dancer mid-air as water flies past in the frame gives you a level of drama that you can’t create in post-production. Use a faster shutter speed to freeze individual droplets, or slow it down slightly to get motion blur in the rain itself. Use higher shutter speeds to freeze specific water droplets, or lower them a bit to achieve the motion blur effect of the rain itself.
Dancer @flows.w.juju77_ photographed by @nym_photographers at Metro 5
Rain adds intensity to cosplay, especially for darker or moodier characters. Metro 4’s dark walls and floor keep the background completely clean, so all the attention stays on the costume and the rain effect. Check with your cosplayer about which costume pieces can handle getting wet. Wigs, in particular, may need extra care or a backup.
Cosplayer onyxglow photographed by @simplyfrankpro at Metro 5
A rain room boudoir shoot will give you a look that has an especially soft, romantic, and editorial feel. Metro 4 is a better option for this type of work due to the black walls adding a moody look and feel to the interior. The RGB lights enable you to create a warm, intimate feel using warm amber or soft pink tones on your model and the water itself. To create a misty feeling, use lower rain intensity so that it does not create a strong downpour, which tends to be viewed as more flattering than misty.
Model @gigii.lise photographed by @myeyesvisuals at Metro 4
Metro 5 is a great studio for car photography and music video production. You can drive your car directly through the gate and park it on the black cyc wall, with rain falling. Both wet paint and glass catch reflections, and the seamless black background means there’s no horizon line or floor seam to clean up in post. Add RGB lighting along the body of the car to highlight its lines, or keep it simple with white light for a more natural look. This studio works for everything from commercial automotive campaigns and advertising to personal automobile photography.
Both studios work well for shooting music videos and short films. Metro 4 offers a more confined area with props (bathtub, bench, etc.) that are better suited to shooting close-up shots, while Metro 5 allows for more space, providing more opportunities for wider shots and larger shoots.
Rock band Ridiculous B!tch at Metro 4
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