Question for those of you who do location shoots..

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

06/15/2006 11:07:29 PM · #1

For those of you who bring a backdrop on location with you to people's houses for portraits, or other locations - where do you usually set up your backdrops? I am finding that people don't have much room.

I have been setting up the backdrop in people's garages but during the summer it is extremely hot, and thats before the lights get turned on.

I do STRICTLy location shoots and want to be able to setup a backdrop at any given job...where do you guys setup?

Judi

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

06/15/2006 11:13:26 PM · #2

I actually prefer to do natural shots...in otherwords outdoors or in their natural environments.

There is one mob here that goes around the entire state doing kids portraits complete with the backdrop. They put a large cloth over the dining table and then they have a large backdrop that folds up similiar to a reflector and the backdrop is also circular and marbled like the standard backdrops...that stands behind the dining table and goes from floor to ceiling. Then with the studio lights and camera they take the shots.

Hope that helps.

wavelength

Nikon D300

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

06/15/2006 11:14:36 PM · #3

Well, short of a large living room and the ability to move furniture... ?? I dunno.

For the lights, if you can get strobes that would help.

Maybe you can go to other places with them and do actual location shoots in the park or some such.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

06/15/2006 11:32:06 PM · #4

I already have lights and they aren't a problem placing them, im only concerned about the backdrop.

Anymore feedback on this?

Message edited by author 2006-06-15 23:32:23.

fstopopen

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

06/15/2006 11:36:28 PM · #5

if you are using a background and lights, it begs the question... why not in a studio? I know if I wanted to do that kind of shooting, that is what I would do, even if that just meant using your spare room or something. Otherwise, why would you shoot on location?

drake

wavelength

Nikon D300

06/15/2006 11:50:31 PM · #6

Originally posted by specialk0783:

I already have lights and they aren't a problem placing them...

I was under the assumption that you meant that you had continuous lighting, and not strobes when you mentioned heat. ?? If not, my bad. I was just trying to say strobes do not produce the amount of heat that continuous does, if any at all.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

06/16/2006 01:33:06 AM · #7

^^

I know...strobes aren't in the budget right now though...but it's hot in the garages anyway.

---

To whomever was mentioning studio shooting...I don't have the room nor money to make a room a studio. I live in an apt, I'm 23, and I'm doing portrait photography part time to supplement my income.

--

Back to the task at hand...does anyone have anymore suggestions about backdrop placement, use, etc?

TrynityRose

Nikon D100

06/16/2006 02:03:58 AM · #8

It would be impossible to make suggestions where to put the backdop in people's houses that you have never visited. You would have to decide where they have the most room and set up there. Whether they have a spare bedroom, large enough living room etc. Other option would be to take it outside and hang the backdrop in front of the garage or in their garden.

Bosborne

Canon EOS-30D

Canon EF-S 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM

06/16/2006 02:04:17 AM · #9

Originally posted by fstopopen:

This is so true. What are YOU getting out of huffing and puffing and trying to jerryrig something together, when you could have a series of backdrops in a small corner of a room in your own home if you had to. Is it just that you don't want the clients to go to any trouble and not leave their home? Why not photograph like they used to in the 40s and 50s. Always on a couch with some that are seated and others intersperced between all the legs. Quite nice photos. I'm sure there are examples on the web somewhere, because I, for one, have taken many and been in many a photo just like that.

Anyone out there that remember or have seen these types of photos??

Message edited by author 2006-06-16 02:04:49.

Mick

Canon EOS-5D

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

06/16/2006 02:05:33 AM · #10

You might want to consider collapsible muslin backgrounds.

$0.01

TrynityRose

Nikon D100

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8

06/16/2006 02:08:06 AM · #11

I dont think it so matters what the background is made of but the good working distance between background, subject, and lights. That is gonna need room no matter what.