Hanging big muslin outside/on location

I am looking for suggestions/experience with hanging large muslin backdrops in the outdoors. I want to setup a 10x20 in the horizontal aspect. Obviously not something to do on a windy day. I have a fair amount of grip (check my gearlist) but am willing to add to it if needed. I am a horse photographer so I can't always work indoors. I can usually use the side of a barn or outbuilding as a wind block. I am trying to come up with a system that will work at most locations without excessive hassles.

Bob

Have you given any thought to tacking the muslin to the barn wall?

I have all but given up hope of working with muslin outdoors. I was set up in front of a garage with ZERO wind, sandbags and heavy optects all around, yet it still would blow over

Large sails (what a hanging muslin backdrop is) take next to no wind to go all over the place.

Hope someone can come up with something that works, I am all ears as well.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16413161
Have you given any thought to tacking the muslin to the barn wall?

Most of the barns are metal in this area. I've considered attaching superclamps to large industrial magnets or suction cups. I could then use the superclamps to hold a crossbar. If I had pockets sewn into both long sides, I could maybe hold it in place using bars top and bottom. Maybe a superclamp holding the bar every four feet? Just brainstorming.

Bob

Hot Bob wrote in post #16413417
Most of the barns are metal in this area. I've considered attaching superclamps to large industrial magnets or suction cups. I could then use the superclamps to hold a crossbar. If I had pockets sewn into both long sides, I could maybe hold it in place using bars top and bottom. Maybe a superclamp holding the bar every four feet? Just brainstorming.

Bob

Or just use magnets like you would use nails. One every 2-3 feet would be sufficient to hold it up and keep out the slack. Adding a rail be a problem because you are adding weight, and if I understand you wanting to go horizontal with a 10x10 you need a 20 foot crossmember.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16413429
Or just use magnets like you would use nails. One every 2-3 feet would be sufficient to hold it up and keep out the slack. Adding a rail be a problem because you are adding weight, and if I understand you wanting to go horizontal with a 10x10 you need a 20 foot crossmember.

Most buildings are clad in aluminum and magnets would not work. However, if you can locate the girders used to secure the sheet metal and then use super magnets it may help, but would still be subjected to winds.

Has anyone tried cutting slits into the fabric like is done for baseball/softball fields to keep from blowing fences over? If the wind can pass through it wont be as subjected to wind speed. Not sure how it would look in the background though.

gonzogolf wrote in post #16413429
Or just use magnets like you would use nails. One every 2-3 feet would be sufficient to hold it up and keep out the slack. Adding a rail be a problem because you are adding weight, and if I understand you wanting to go horizontal with a 10x10 you need a 20 foot crossmember.

Yeah, 20' horizontal. The problem would be that the metal siding is not flat. It is corrugated so, the muslin would not lay flat against the building with magnets holding it every few feet. The bars would add weight but, if I use aluminum, it wouldn't be that bad. I'm thinking something like this magnet:

Super Strong Magnets

Five or six of these top and bottom with superclamps, plus some magnets on the ends that can be directly attached to keep wind from getting behind the muslin.

Bob

Ethosb wrote in post #16413494
Most buildings are clad in aluminum and magnets would not work. However, if you can locate the girders used to secure the sheet metal and then use super magnets it may help, but would still be subjected to winds.

Has anyone tried cutting slits into the fabric like is done for baseball/softball fields to keep from blowing fences over? If the wind can pass through it wont be as subjected to wind speed. Not sure how it would look in the background though.

No, most metal buildings are clad in electrostatically painted steel.

Bob

Hot Bob wrote in post #16413517
No, most metal buildings are clad in electrostatically painted steel.

Bob

Maybe where you are, but most metal buildings I have worked with have aluminum siding, a lot even have aluminum structure. We have 4 out buildings on our property, all built about the same time (many many moons ago). They all look the same, but two are metal siding and two are aluminum. You cant tell the difference just looking at them.

We do this regularly for dances and haven't had any problems with the background when it's set up against a wall. I use sand bags, but my colleagues don't and they haven't had a problem. We use the house brand stands from Calumet. I worry much more about the lights because we use umbrellas.

Those who specialize in photographing cattle commonly hang large painted rural scenes on muslin or canvas from livestock trailers. Their slatted sides make it easy to tie the backdrop to. If you have access to a horse trailer, you can park it wherever you like to make best use of the sun.

I don't know if the typical horse trailer will give you the height you need. you may need to come up with some hardware to attach to the trailer to raise the muslin high enough.