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10/23/2005 03:25:24 PM · #1 |
I have a possibility of making some money with portraits, but need a back drop of some kind. Some of these will be pet, proabably christmas themed but maybe not. Dogs mostly, could be any color of dog. Also, my mother in law gave me an idea that I can use as a fundraiser, taking portraits for 'free' when one gives a donation. These could be one person, 2, a pet or even a famliy of 4 or 5 people.
I have seen portable backdrop stands on ebay (amvona has some) and hear they are pretty decent. What i need is a 9' wide (or so) somewhat inexpensive background for general use.
Anyone have any pros or cons on certain brands or materials or colors?
thanks
chris |
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10/23/2005 08:54:35 PM · #2 |
I hate to self bump...but this scrolled right off the front page like instantly.
I lean toward cloth as it is easier to move and (might, should?) last longer.
How hard would it be to use a whitel backdrop and put gels on a flash so the backdrop would be rather plain but the color could be adjusted to contrast with the subject. I have seen this done and think i have the equipment to do it. |
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10/23/2005 08:59:07 PM · #3 |
You can try Denny Mfg in Alabama. They're well-known in the industry but their prices are . . . reasonable and their shipping takes a little time.
At events we use white seamless paper on backdrop stands (9' wide) and then use gels to change the color of the paper. We light the subjects with 2 other lights.
Cloth would be MUCH easier to transport, setup and take down and you don't end up cutting 6-10' off after each event like we do with paper.
Just my experience, YMMV
Kev
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10/23/2005 08:59:25 PM · #4 |
I bought mine from a fabric shop! It's actually curtain material. It's pretty heavy and so won't rip easily but it needs a bit of an iron over as it's got a few creases. I just found buying proper backdrops are just too expensive for me so had to do it on the cheap! I guess it depends on the colours you want. I made a stand from reticulation piping to hold it all up. The stand basically cost me about $15(Aus) to make from the hardware shop and the curtain fabric was $50 (Aus).
 The 'curtain' backdrop! |
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10/23/2005 09:10:44 PM · #5 |
For buying you can always try Ebay for musline backgrounds. Or paper rolls, etc.
Message edited by author 2005-10-23 21:11:30. |
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10/23/2005 09:25:22 PM · #6 |
Adorama and BH have cheap, nice background stands. I bought one for like $89 and it's perfect. I don't have them in front of me to tell you what they are but I could find out if you don't find anything.
As far as backgrounds - check Adorama, but MY favorite place is the buy/sell forum at ILP - //www.ilp.tlcwe.com/forums/ ALWAYS has good backgrounds. Silverlake stuff mostly.
M
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10/23/2005 09:26:26 PM · #7 |
If you can find a gray mottled drop that should work great for any color and you can even add props if you have any. Gray should be multipurpose and not clash. Look on ebay. Also if you have a black or white backdrop you could look at fantasy cloth sold by backdrop outlet as an inexpensive way to add variety. The only problem is it does wrinkle. Just a few thoughts. You could also look at making your own with muslin from a fabric shop. Again, there will be wrinkles. HTH
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10/23/2005 09:48:04 PM · #8 |
I have some white and black sheets from walmart - I understand the wrinkling thing. Also, they are not tight enough of a weave so ANY light behind them shows through, but the price was right ($5 each or less if i recall).
I will have to experiment with a flash and gel and see how that works.
As for stands, Amvona has them on ebay, and while shipping can hurt they quality should be just fine (I have a light stand i bought from them, same brand. and the backdrop stands come with adapters for use as lightstands) so i'll probably go that route.
What fabric shop would carry muslin ina size that is seemless and 9' wide? walmart does not seem to have it, and my other (independent) store has nothing that wide at all, not even curtain material (hence my sheet solution)
What is 'fanatsy cloth'? |
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10/23/2005 10:48:28 PM · #9 |
I have some that I made out of white sheets from goodwill and some fabric dye and a liquid spray bottle
they work great for what I use them for
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10/23/2005 10:53:12 PM · #10 |
Amvona.com has pro-quality muslins for a fraction of the price of most. Amazing selection too.
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10/23/2005 11:08:17 PM · #11 |
JoAnn Fabrics carries muslin in 108 and even 120 inch. Just check for quilting lengths or check a quilting store if you have one. I just bought some muslin and I got 5 yards of 108. so 9 feet by 15 feet. Walmart should have the quilting widths too just as if they have quilting fabrics/muslins or liner material.
Fantasy cloth is shear material. It can change the way it looks and presents by using it over another solid backdrop. Here is a link:
Fantasy Cloth on Backdrop Outlet
Also as far as the material being a little thinner, I wouldn't worry about it. If you use a light to light the backdrop as well as your other lights, then you should have no problem.
Message edited by author 2005-10-23 23:12:12.
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10/24/2005 10:25:34 AM · #12 |
Hey Prof.... Consider that your colored gels ON THE FLASH will color your subject too!!
Blue Dog? Magenta Cat?
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10/24/2005 11:10:21 AM · #13 |
Actually you put the gels on the lights that light up the backdrop and then use other lights in front of those to light the subjects.
Examples:
Kev
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10/24/2005 11:19:33 AM · #14 |
Fabric will wrinkle, wrinkles are evil in a photo, and you can't very well carry an iron and an ironing board with you on location.
However, perhaps you could buy one of those small steamers for your household ( good for cleaning too, they say), and use it to easily touch up your backdrop.
Pure speculation on my part, but it sounds like a good plan :-) |
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10/24/2005 11:23:38 AM · #15 |
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10/24/2005 11:53:07 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by Beetle:
Fabric will wrinkle, wrinkles are evil in a photo, and you can't very well carry an iron and an ironing board with you on location. |
I disagree about the wrinkles. Wrinkles are cool. You just need lots of them. Don't fold your muslins, wad them up tightly in a ball and stuff them into a snug-fitting bag. What are evil is creases from folding. But random wrinkles add character and interest...
Message edited by author 2005-10-24 11:54:07. |
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10/24/2005 12:12:08 PM · #17 |
Just do it out door and use nature as the back drop, I am no pro, but thats my 2 cents.
-GreenGiant |
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10/24/2005 12:57:43 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by GreenGiant:
Just do it out door and use nature as the back drop, I am no pro, but thats my 2 cents.
-GreenGiant |
I think this works if you can achieve a good-looking bokeh from the background, otherwise there's the risk of it looking busy. The same thinking applies to well-wrinkled fabric -- OK if it's way OOF, ugly if you have sharp creases surrounding the person's face.
The traditional backdrop would be velvet, which is essentially non-reflecting. Less expensive alternatives might be velveteen, brushed denim, or a piece of carpeting.
A neutral-colored stucco wall can work too, especially if its new and free from cracks, chips, and other signs of wear.
Message edited by author 2005-10-24 12:59:11. |
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10/24/2005 01:13:33 PM · #19 |
| I went and got a painters drop cloth made of thick canvas and the painted it. works great |
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10/24/2005 02:46:04 PM · #20 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by GreenGiant:
Just do it out door and use nature as the back drop, I am no pro, but thats my 2 cents.
-GreenGiant |
I think this works if you can achieve a good-looking bokeh from the background, otherwise there's the risk of it looking busy. The same thinking applies to well-wrinkled fabric -- OK if it's way OOF, ugly if you have sharp creases surrounding the person's face.
The traditional backdrop would be velvet, which is essentially non-reflecting. Less expensive alternatives might be velveteen, brushed denim, or a piece of carpeting.
A neutral-colored stucco wall can work too, especially if its new and free from cracks, chips, and other signs of wear. |
I agree! |
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10/24/2005 02:54:30 PM · #21 |
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
I have some white and black sheets from walmart - I understand the wrinkling thing. Also, they are not tight enough of a weave so ANY light behind them shows through, but the price was right ($5 each or less if i recall).
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You could put something (like a heavy painter's tarp or even the other backdrop) behind the sheet if you want to block the light. |
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10/24/2005 03:05:27 PM · #22 |
I bought a canvas backdrop from Denny. It looks and works great. Other than the cost!!!
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10/25/2005 10:23:55 AM · #23 |
I have been searching and foudn this outfit - Dharma Trading. They sell muslin in 3 or 4 widths, and by the yard or bolt. a bolt of 9' wide 'scenery muslin' is $190. That is - are you ready? 90 feet long!! Shorter lenghts of the 'good' stuff is $7.51/ yard, so is seems pretty cheap overall.
Since i have never even seen muslin, i ordered a few samples - 25 cents eachand free shipping!
Hmm...painting tarp. Canvas. Rug. I like the rug idea. Hmmm..you all got me thinking. Perhaps even a plastic tarp could be used behind a thin backdrop to block the light.
Message edited by author 2005-10-25 10:27:32. |
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