Backdrop Options

I had my third "studio" shoot of bodybuilders a few weeks ago, and once again I spent over 2 weeks editing out my "ugly" black fabric background into something more appealing.
The results are ok, but cropping is very time consuming. Also, no matter how much time you spend, it's difficult to get decent looking hair (especially for the females).

So, now I'm looking at buying another light, and some sort of backdrop.
The thing is, I don't have room in my apartment, so I do these at a local gym that let's me set up my "studio". What sort of options are there that will look good as is, or perhaps will allow for easy cropping. I've seen the foldable blue/green screen options, but most of the time the results I've seen haven't been great.

Anyway, I really appreciate any help you guys can give

Example of what I had to do to 200 pictures from a few weeks ago

IMAGE LINK: http://images2.fotop.n​et …scellaneous/com​parobb.jpg

Hi drisley,

That shot on the right is GREAT! Nicely done.

wow, excellent post processing work...

I bought a 10x20 foot green screen and a foldable backdrop stand with a carrying case that all fits nice into my car for $220 shipped off ebay.

Got mine from this guy,
http://stores.ebay.com …d1QQfsubZ16QQft​idZ2QQtZkm

I paid extra for a felt material, which is thicker, more durable, and supposed to be fire resistant. Mine is not muslin, but im sure that would also work just fine. If you want to know what im talking about trying calling him.

Im very happy with my stand for the $, case was nice to have, and the green screen (that I dont use often) was just something I wanted.

Thanks guys. I'm happy with the result, however it's a lot of work and very time consuming.
The results on the women with long hair I don't think I did quite as well.

StealthLude, how hard is it to get decent chroma key results? Can you show any examples? Do you get any green reflection back on to the subject, or any green edges?

This is what I was able to do with a woman's hair. Again, lots of work/time, and the results aren't perfect on the hair.

i would just get a roll of seamless paper. roll it out when you shoot, roll it up when you're done. lay down a peice of plexi-glass to get the reflection on the ground. gel background light with a grid and you can have the same results in camera.

awad wrote in post #3020901
i would just get a roll of seamless paper. roll it out when you shoot, roll it up when you're done. lay down a peice of plexi-glass to get the reflection on the ground. gel background light with a grid and you can have the same results in camera.

Thats also a good idea. After buying 3 rolls of seamless, i love it, and would pick it over muslin and even fabric green screen. If you really want to do chromakey pickup a green chromakey from B&H for $20 (4.5 feet wide)

One thing ive learned about chromakey, is that distance from subject background is pretty important, and lighting is key. I use two AB800's on the BG when doing chromakey. I wish I has some samples to show you but my green screen never really gets used. I started portraits wanting to do the "digital backdrop" thing but ended up using painted muslin to get away from all the post processing.

If you like adding different backdrops at a later time, a green screen would really help you a lot.

Yeah, seemless may be the way to go. I don't have a car, but I could probably borrow one to take to the location where we shoot.
Is there any sort of thin/rollable plastic you could use for plexi? just something to add some reflection, and it would even double to protect the paper from stains.

Also, what colour would you suggest for these dark skin tones? Maybe a dark grey?

drisley wrote in post #3021000
Yeah, seemless may be the way to go. I don't have a car, but I could probably borrow one to take to the location where we shoot.
Is there any sort of thin/rollable plastic you could use for plexi? just something to add some reflection, and it would even double to protect the paper from stains.

If you shoot at that location often, it might be worth your while to talk to someone there that can store it for you. Have B&H deliver a 9 foot roll and keep it there.
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ghType=category​Navigation

Same plan with the plexi glass... Get a larger 4x8 foot sheet and keep it there, I dont know of anything that would roll out like that.
http://www.professiona​lplastics.com/
search for plexi