Collapsible Backdrop

So I am looking at collapsible backdrops with trains. I am set on that system. It works the best for my needs. Next is to decide on color. 90% of the time Im sure ill shoot white but I may want other colors if possible. This leads me into questions though.

White or green? I figure I can color either to any color. Correct?

And what about lighting? Does the green give flash any kind of tint? What about using flash on a backdrop then changing their backdrop to red in post. Does it look odd cause the lights dont have the tint color?

Are you wanting to use the backdrop like a green screen so you can cut out the subject? If you are doing that white and green is the most common backdrop because it usually creates the most contrast compared with the subject. If you want different color backdrops on command, have you thought about using gels instead?

I dont know why I didnt think of gels. Makes sense. Then whtie would be my best oftion Id guess ( White, black, green, blue)

Nope. White is not a good option for gels. Go for something like a grey. These were both shot on the same dark grey backdrop. The top image has a single gelled speedlight behind the model.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/A2HQ​QF

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/zNjS​Zu

They only offer Black White Green Blue.

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Bottletop_Cover​_with.html

http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …Bottletop_Cover​_with.html

I don't know what size or brand you are looking at but you can buy covers if need be.

White works perfectly with gels, but you have to keep stray light away. Typically, that requires a flag.

Definitely do-able but harder to control. Like you mentioned without using a grid or flag, the main will washout the color. I guess you have the option of feathering the light too though.

Thats only for the hilite cover though. The hilite is another $400

gmm213 wrote in post #17781492
The hilite is another $400

as i was reading this thread i was thinking "this guy needs to buy some seamless paper"

i was going to refrain from saying it until i saw this post. I know it's not collapsable, but you need to buy some seamless paper.

i think a 52 inch roll of Savage is only 25 bucks.

If you plan to use color gels, definitely go with mid gray, you can even use black. It's one of those things where its hard to imagine until you try it, but it works great.

I would have no where to store it. Our bedrooms are quite small and its an old house with very low ceilings. Mounting doesnt work either as I rent

Just trying to help solve your apparent price aversion.

Rolls of seamless are about 3" diameter. Throw a few rubber bands around it and you can stand it in the corner of a closet and it will be completely out of sight. Longer rolls can be cut with a saw to fit your floor to ceiling height.

You don't have to mount it, two stands and a cheap piece of EMT and you're good to go.

I appreciate the suggestions. Seamless is my first choice. Its just not practical in my situation. Hopefully within a year or two Ill have my own house. This is an in between, which is why I dont want to spend $400 on a HiLite, and eventually for the occasions of on location.

The big thing is a collapsible is 8' wide and with seamless I'd be lucky to push that width because of how low my ceilings are. As well as with stands Im taking away width, my 'studio' is only about 9' wide. Assuming the tripods are the size of my lights tripods I'm looking at maybe 6 or 7 ft wide seamless.

Well at least we are keeping your thread bumped. TBh, there has never been much talk about collapsible backdrops around here, most of it was not too positive.


What are you shooting?
What is your camera to backdrop distance?

gmm213 wrote in post #17784160
The big thing is a collapsible is 8' wide and with seamless I'd be lucky to push that width because of how low my ceilings are. As well as with stands Im taking away width, my 'studio' is only about 9' wide. Assuming the tripods are the size of my lights tripods I'm looking at maybe 6 or 7 ft wide seamless.

Are monopoles a possibility? I just got a set for locations where my backdrop stands dont fit. They take up WAY less real estate.