Northern Beaches Secondary College

The Brief

The Manly Campus of Northern Beaches Secondary College at 138 Abbott Road, North Curl Curl, needed two photography studios to support its art department. Two underused rooms — a former darkroom and a storage room — were identified for conversion. Each room measured approximately 5m x 7m, and the brief was to equip both as professional photography studios that art students could use independently.

The Build

Dragon Studio Solutions supplied and installed a comprehensive equipment package across both studios. The setup for each room was built around ceiling-mounted LightPro pantograph and track systems to keep the shooting floor completely clear. Background systems were installed with multiple velvet and paper options — black velvet, green screen velvet, and white paper — providing the range of backdrops needed for art photography assignments. LightPro Shark 1200 Bi-Colour LED lights and Ultrasoft 66R LED panels provide the primary and fill lighting. LightPro DF-P80 Pulsar LED Fresnel 80W spotlights add directional creative lighting capability. Manfrotto autopoles and super clamps allow additional flexible mounting options within each space.

Key Features

• Two 5m x 7m photography studios — former darkroom and storage room conversion

• Manly Campus, 138 Abbott Road, North Curl Curl — art department

• LightPro 4 Pantograph Kit with dual ceiling track and additional single pantographs

• LightPro Shark 1200 Bi-Colour LED lights and Ultrasoft 66R LED panels

• LightPro DF-P80 Pulsar 80W LED Fresnel for directional lighting

• Background systems: black velvet, chroma green velvet, and white paper rolls

• Manfrotto autopoles and E-image super clamps for flexible mounting

• 3 background systems and 1 ceiling track system installed

The Outcome

Northern Beaches Secondary College art students now have two fully equipped professional photography studios where previously there were an unused darkroom and a storage room. The ceiling track systems keep both spaces safe and clear for student use, while the range of lighting and background options supports the full breadth of art photography assignments from portraiture and product through to chromakey and creative studio work.