Background for Children?

[dennykyser]

I need a background sugetstion for kids? I have a tan colored one and a black one but was thinking about white? The black seems to blend in with the hair colors too much. I was thinking that white might make it easier to change the color in PS CS.

If white what do I look for at a fabric store, what kind of material. My other backgrounds are muslin (tan) and the black one is from Backdrop outlet and seems to work well. I was hoping to pick one up this weekend if I can find something localy.

[justme_dc]

Unless you have the lighting to blow out the white backdrop your images will look dingy. I'd suggest you try using a hair/rim light to get some more separation of the heads from the dackdrop. Not using a hair/rim light is one of the most common mistakes new photographers make. They really separate the men from the boys and the models from the backdrops.

Good luck to you

[Mark Kemp]

I have a plain light blue.

It is not a bad colour anyway and is usually easy to select on the computer and replace with a gradient or pattern of your choice, thus giving you an infinite number of backgrounds with only one to carry.

[chris.bailey]

The good thing about a white one is that its is easy to colour with a gel but beware that poorly lit white becomes dirty grey. You really need specific background light to get pure white and if you have one you can do a lot with black i.e. underlight it to be black or light it to make grey i.e.

http://www.pbase.com/image/24713303.jpg

Enough light and you can almost make a black background appear as white, or at least light grey.

[slin100]

There's a thread somewhere on the Lighting (http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/forum.asp?forum=1025) forum on http://dpreview.com that shows how effectively you can gel a black background. It demonstrated that a black or medium-grey background produced much more saturated colors than white.

If you are really serious about replacing the background with Photoshop, you should probably look into getting a chroma-key background.

[dennykyser]

How much lighting is needed to get the high key effect. Can 1 alienbees 800 right behind the model do the job?

[justme_dc]

How much lighting is needed to get the high key effect. Can 1 alienbees 800 right behind the model do the job?

Teh only answer to that question is "it depends". There are too many variables to take into consideration like distance between the model and the backdrop, angle of the reflector and how much room bounce you have to work with/against.

[slin100]

How much lighting is needed to get the high key effect. Can 1 alienbees 800 right behind the model do the job?
I've read in two books that as little as 1 1/2 to 2 stops is enough.

[jimsloy]

I need a background sugetstion for kids? I have a tan colored one and a black one but was thinking about white?

What nationality are the parents to produce such different looking offspring??

Now, seriously, where can I buy a background drop online? What do they usually run for an average one?

[slin100]

Now, seriously, where can I buy a background drop online? What do they usually run for an average one?
There are a ton of places. Here's (http://www.robgalbraith.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB13&Number=212930&Forum= All_Forums&Words=dennymfg&Searchpage=0&Limit=25&Ma in=211037&Search=true&where=bodysub&Name=&daterang e=0&newerval=&newertype=&olderval=&oldertype=&body prev=#Post212930) a starting point.

Amvona (http://www.amvona.com) is a popular choice for muslins. Check out their selection but don't buy from their online store. You can bid on Ebay and get one for at least 50% less. There have been some complaints about quality and they're not the fastest shippers, so YMMV. I have a Seattle Grays muslin on it way.

I've heard nothing but praise about Silverlake Photo (http://www.silverlakephoto.com). You, too, can purchase from their store (http://stores.ebay.com/id=4918431&ssPageName=L2) on Ebay.

[slejhamer]

Now, seriously, where can I buy a background drop online? What do they usually run for an average one?


He're's another one to take a look at: http://www.owens-originals.com/

And as slin100 said, bid on Amvona's stuff and you'll save a bundle. They have great prices on umbrellas and other accessories, too.

[msvadi]

I bought a vellux blanket from Target http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/602-1817952-3144645?asin=B0000644Q1 . Works quite well for a fraction of the cost of a professional backdrop.

[dennykyser]

What size is a King Size Blanket?

[msvadi]

I really don't remember the numbers. I guess it should be something like 100+ in x 90+ in. I bought a king size blanket and it is huge. By the way, I just saw velour blankets at overstock http://www.overstock.com/se/Solare_Velour_Plush_Blanket.html . can work too :) Give it it try, if you don't like it as a backdrop you still can use it as a blanket ;)

What size is a King Size Blanket?

[msvadi]

here's a couple of shots where I used a Target vellux blanket as a backdrop:

http://www.bytephoto.com/photopost/data/500/302040126_009.jpg?7493

http://img.photosight.ru/2004/02/16/411884.jpg

I think it's really okay for ocasional shots. Of course, if you building a studio then it's a different story :)

[slejhamer]

msvadi's suggestion is very good.

Here's one with plain old bedsheet (slightly mottled with bleach and dye, thought it's hard to tell here), then vignetted in PS:

http://www.pbase.com/image/22994212.jpghttp://www.pbase.com/image/22994212