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Showing posts 1 - 11 of 11, (reverse)
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03/07/2006 12:25:19 PM · #1
My studio is coming along, and b&h shipped my lights today (should be here friday!!)

Anyway, I have no idea on what to do for a background...i have black and white, but i gotta have some variety!

Muslin or paper?
variegated pattern or solid?

I need the most versatile 2 options as I have spent most of my money now LOL. Blue seems to be a standard so I am leaning toward that (in a variegated muslin)...the other...no clue. Brown, or is that too 70s? Green? red/wine?

I can get papers locally but have not checked on cost/selection but i think it is less cost than muslin and since it need not be portable that works.

Subjects to be: general portraiture (kids, families, HS seniors, engagement shots)

I think my next BG will be one with a 'picture' on it - but i have NO clue on what subject matter (an old building, forest, roman ruins, etc, etc).

Thoughts, ideas input PLEASE!

TIA
03/07/2006 12:30:56 PM · #2
Is duo-tone permitted in Basic Editing ?
03/07/2006 12:33:52 PM · #3
Originally posted by IceRock:

Is duo-tone permitted in Basic Editing ?


?? as it how it pertains to this thread, but to answer the question, yes. convert to grayscale, convert to duotone (adjust everything) and convert to RGB. I see no problems.
03/07/2006 12:34:31 PM · #4


Thanks :)
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:

Originally posted by IceRock:

Is duo-tone permitted in Basic Editing ?


?? as it how it pertains to this thread, but to answer the question, yes. convert to grayscale, convert to duotone (adjust everything) and convert to RGB. I see no problems.
03/07/2006 12:35:23 PM · #5
Have you thought about using colored gels on the black BG?? I used it one time and it worked out great. Just a thought.
03/07/2006 12:38:26 PM · #6
I would say go with a mottled neutral grey or with a medium to dark mottled brown for your other choice.

Or you can do several on your own. Hold on and I'll find the threads about making backdrops for you...

*edit to add:
Painting Muslin Thread
Making Your own Bacdrops Thread

Should be much cheaper than buying pre-made backdrops, and you can do lots and lots of variations - maybe a green and red and white mottled one for Christmas portraits, backdrops mottled in school colors, etc.

Anyway, hope this helps.
Sara

Message edited by author 2006-03-07 12:41:19.
03/07/2006 12:41:10 PM · #7
Amvona has some great 2-sided backdrops :)

Personally, I prefer paper, although I have muslins too. also gels can be used on any backdrop (paper, muslin, colored, black, white, etc) to give it a different look
03/07/2006 12:42:28 PM · #8
I tried the making backdrops thing..then winter came LOL
I have a 9x14 piece of muslin that was supposed to turn out chrsitmassy green mottled (via dye). I got olive drab. This thing is toooo big to work on indoors and, well, it's been winter here. I'm going to try and fix it somehow (tie dye in a bucket i think, with more green - option 2 is paint it)
03/07/2006 12:45:42 PM · #9
I think I mentioned this in one of those threads, but...
RIT makes a dye remover that may work to lighten up the olive drab (use in a spray bottle and spray it on the fabric rather than soaking it), then maybe try spraying a brighter green over the top?

Winter does tend to put a damper on making really big stuff. Unless you like dying your carpets and walls... :)
03/07/2006 12:47:11 PM · #10
Originally posted by shadowangel:

Have you thought about using colored gels on the black BG?? I used it one time and it worked out great. Just a thought.


This is a good idea. Other than that you could try a chromakey (not sure if I spelled that right) but its the neon green back drop... makes it easy to select just the back drop in photoshop and put whatever back drop you want in.
03/07/2006 03:50:00 PM · #11
One of the reasons i am getting gels is to modify the BG tone/color.

i have not tried chroma key, but have replaced the BG on many pics - sometimes good, sometimes not so good. i hear it is the same with chromakey.
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