Backdrops- Anyone tried...

[Glo]

Im looking for my first backdrop.
Im interested in high key & low key portraiture and will be working in a fairly confined space with 2 studio lights.

I have been considering these two options....


http://www.lastolite.com/hilite-backgrounds.php

http://www.lastolite.com/singlecolourcollapsibles.php


Has anyone used either of these backdrops. Im particularly interested in the Hilite but havent heard much about it.

Any feedback about either of the above would be great.
Thanks.

[Ronald S. Jr.]

That hilite looks like a great idea. I'd love to see results.

[Wilt]

Keep in mind that the lens you use (and the shooting distance) will determine the true usefulness of these products. Note that they are not really big, so if you have a standing model and a lens that sees 30 degrees (50mm lens on APS-C, 80mm lens on FF), you are seeing 30 degrees more of the backgound as well, that are made even taller and wider due to the separation distance between subject and background, and the edges of the product are going to intrude into your photo! Think back to high school geometry...more distance increases the height of the area seen, and the example photo shows the product to be only about 7' tall. You will have to keep some distance between subject and background, since you do not want the active light source (the background...it is essentially a big softbox at this point!) to cast too strong a light onto your subject!

I don't want to seem to be panning this product...it is a great idea! But I am merely advising some of the considerations to make about actual use. If you had a highkey toddler portrait it could be wonderful. But with a standing 6'4" guy and his fiancee for an engagement portrait, it could easily be useless.

[MSPhoto]

The Lastolite HiLite looks quite interesting...not yet listed through B&H (that I could find) as I am interested in the cost. It appears to be a good design and easy to transport. Thanks for the link.

[Glo]

Hmmm! some food for thought there Wilt, certainly given me more to think about, thanks for that!

MSPhoto, Warehouse Express, UK, have the Hilite listed at £229.99 for the 5'x7',
and £279.99 for the 6'x7'.

Hope you can gauge an idea of price from that.

[Macbeth]

I think it's great concept too.

BTW, when I shoot in tight spaces or my background meant for one is forced into a shot for 2 or 3, as long as I have some background showing on the sides of the subject, I don't worry about having the shot "see" off the background because I can easily add more background in for a proper subject placement/crop using PS.

[markbluemica]

i have the single colour collapsables and its great its only down fall is 6ft wide sometimes aint wide enough so i have to use the clone stamp to put in the missing back drop but apart from that its really good

[aferrara]

I have gotten most of my backdrops at Amvona.com they are very affordable and work well when I have a shallower depth of field (it hides the imperfections) before I bought backdrop stands I just pinned them to the wall with tacks.
I agree with the narrowness of the lights you are considering. I find I run out of backdrop with the ten feet I have.
A

[aferrara]

I apologize I meant the narrowness of the backdrops,not the lights
A