Anyone use vinyl backdrops?

[CindyLynn]

I am looking at Savage vinyl backdrops, anyone use or have used vinyl before? Any pros/cons about them opposed to cloth? Tx's!

[Jonathan Taylor]

Yup...they. are. amazing.

If you ever get any scratches on them, theyre incredibly easy to shop out. And possibly my favorite thing: they are best cleaned using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and a few drops of water. Scuffs, dirt/mud, acrylic paint, everything...they all buff right out. Also, if for some reason you get a crease or crinkle in the background during storage, or someone steps on it, let it sit for a couple hours and it'll go right back into place. Cant do THAT with paper!

Since they reflect light SO well, it's easy to shoot a high key half body portrait using one medium (25ish inch) softbox, or 1 medium (30in), or 2 small (20in) umbrellas. With vinyl, you rarely (if ever) have to cut the used part of the backdrop.

Here is an example shot with one umbrella:
http://modelmayhm-7.vo.llnwd.net/d1/photos/090220/21/499f9233384d3.jpg


Also, you can still achieve a low(er)-key effect by moving your model and light source farther from the background, or using a smaller light source perpendicular to the backdrop. Sorta gives a fashion-gray feel to it, with a bit more fall-off gradient, such as:
http://modelmayhm-7.vo.llnwd.net/d1/photos/090913/21/4aadcaa93e356.jpg
and
http://modelmayhm-7.vo.llnwd.net/d1/photos/091125/09/4b0d63057cbbd.jpg
and
http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs041.snc3/12847_1144614626814_1570950073_30358032_2975479_n. jpg

Con #1: They dont gel very easily. Paper gels spectacularly.

Con #2: It's a bit more difficult to get harsh shadows that are sometimes desirable with paper, or a painted wall. The only way I've found this to be possible is use a VERY small light source (I'm talking something not much bigger than a large flashlight-sized snoot), or to move your model very close to the floor and background, such as:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2530/3960477341_41a4887868.jpg

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this presentation. You're now free to roam about the forums. Any questions?

PS: Just noticed that you were asking in comparison to cloth. The only thing I like about white cloth is the ability to shoot through it for a perfectly smooth high-key. With a little practice, you can easily achieve the same effect with vinyl.

[showtm490]

thanks jonathan. i'm debating between paper or vinyl at the moment and vinyl may just win.

[Headshotzx]

Gotta thank you as well. Vinyl seems great.

[The Flying Turtle]

How do you get wrinkles out? I have tried steam and an iron but neither seem to work.

[CindyLynn]

Thanks, Santa brought me one for christmas, I will glady post pics later after trying it out.

[Jonathan Taylor]

How do you get wrinkles out? I have tried steam and an iron but neither seem to work.

it's hard to get wrinkles in it that stay, but i've got a couple in there that seem to be permanent. i just deal with it and quickly patch them out in PS. or if im shooting high-key, just blow them out.

[Sweet_Life]

How do you get wrinkles out? I have tried steam and an iron but neither seem to work.

We have one as well and it is a you know what to get wrinkles out of. That's my biggest complaint. It seemed like we had tried EVERYTHING to get them out...with no luck. It was shipped to us folded and was an absolutle hot mess when we put it up. We finally took a wet towel with an iron and that worked like a charm. Still a you know what ----- to do...lol. I'm more worried about rolling it up...I'm scared it's going to wrinkle again. It does clean up well. Would post a pic but am new here and trying to figure this out, lol. :)

[Chris&jess]

I've recently got the 9 x 20 white vinyl from Savage and it has what appear to be permanent wrinkles. It's been hanging for four days now and I've used it once. Yes, I can blow out the wrinkles on the vertical areas, but I was hoping to have a surface on the floor that would be perfectly flat. My vinyl actually has a repeating pattern that I think will never go away. Not too happy here. Especially since I almost went with the Lastolite but in the end tried to save a buck.

Savage = $165. Lastolite = $290.

Anyone have experience with the Lastolite?

Chris