Another backdrop thread - backdrop outlet and solid color drops - any experience?

[GerryDavid]

I think its time to get a real backdrop for black and white backgrounds instead of using bed sheets.

Is it better to get a white backdrop that is reflective or just a solid white? In theory if its reflective it will come back whiter, but on the other hand it may cause lense flare.

Backdrop outlet has a sale, $80 for a 10x20 white drop:
http://www.backdropoutlet.com/DIAMON...fo/AB501/10X20

Any advice?

[JacobPhoto]

What are you shooting? people?

I've always just used seamless paper. Lasts for anywhere between 3 and 8 shoots depending on how far you roll it out and how careful you are about keeping it clean.

[GerryDavid]

people, dogs, babies.

I think id like to avoid the seamless paper since its not good for the environment and its an added expense for each portrait. for the cost of two rolls I could have one drop that I can use much longer.

[RDKirk]

Their diamond cloth works fine enough. You'll have to use clamps to stretch it between the background poles, and it will need some cleanup of remaining uneveness in post-processing if you expose it properly (so that it is just white instead of nuclear glow). The benefit is that it's easy to transport to locations.

[GerryDavid]

right now Im using bed sheets which have a ton of wrinkles in them, so there is a ton of post cleanup. what I normally do is duplicate the layer, put pure white in teh background and mask out the subject. but I want somethign that is more white, right now im thinking something reflective will work better than bed sheets.

[jcpoulin]

I have the diamond blach and white.... Good quality, no issues

[GerryDavid]

how washable is the white? I have a 1 year old cake smashing portrait coming up. will icing stain this thing?

[RDKirk]

Originally Posted by GerryDavid

how washable is the white? I have a 1 year old cake smashing portrait coming up. will icing stain this thing?

It's old-school washable polyester. You'd probably need to spot-treat it before washing.

[GerryDavid]

hmm, im thinking Ill just use a bedsheet for the cake shoot then, maybe a plastic shower curtain to make sure there are no stains from the icing.

[sevillafox]

White seamless and white paneling from your local home depot type store. My roll of seamless lasted almost 2 years because all the dirt ends up on the paneling.

[GerryDavid]

do you mean the 4x8 laminate pannel that is $42? I did get one of those. but im afraid the icing will stain it. it was a pain to get to the studio *dont have a truck and it doesnt roll easily*

[sevillafox]

Use it. It won't stain. A little windex will have it good as new.

[GerryDavid]

thanks!

when using a white background do you tend to use flashes for it or just light your subject and use post to get it pure white?

ive been keeping my subject somewhat close to the white background and lighting the subject as normal, which also gets the background then in photoshop I just duplicate the layer, make the background layer pure white and mask the subject out. cheaper than getting standalone background lights but more time consuming.

[sevillafox]

I light it.

[GerryDavid]

I did well on my last senior portrait and I am trying to decide how to reinvest it in my business. Right now im leaning towards a better monitor, this one gives me a different calibration each time I run the spyder software and always seems to be darker than what it should be.

Its that or another strobe or two. Right now I have 3. My usual setup is one on either side at different poweres and one in the back for the hair.

I almost went for an ipad but once I realized its $100 more for more storage, $100 for insurance and $130 for internet ready the price got out of hand. Plus there are rumors of an ipad mini next month.