Collapsible backgrounds

I'm trying to get a few collapsible backgrounds for my mobile studio. And I'm having a hard time deciding on colours! I'm trying to avoid having one of everything, since this usually ends up sitting on the shelf at home, and the shelves are already full of cr@p that I am not using... So, what colours do you guys/gals use?

I'm getting the black and white reversible, that's a no-brainer! I know I can colour the black with a strobe and gels, but was hoping to get one or two different mottled backgrounds, too. One in earthy colours, and the others in green/blue, or something cooler. Maybe even a grey. Anyway, look at the first two pages here: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …t&Go.x=0&Go.y=0​&Go=submit and tell me what you would choose, or what's closest to what you're already using.

I'm thinking:


Black/White

Mottled Grey

Mottled Blue


Anything else?

http://www.lastolite.c​om has a bunch of nice ones...

Double Negative wrote in post #5975006
http://www.lastolite.c​om has a bunch of nice ones...

Thanks DN! After checking them out and realizing that they are opaque and double-sided, the Lastolite backgrounds only work out $10 more *per colour* than the Botero thin jobs! So I know which I would rather have...

Rudi wrote in post #5966800
I'm trying to get a few collapsible backgrounds for my mobile studio. And I'm having a hard time deciding on colours! I'm trying to avoid having one of everything, since this usually ends up sitting on the shelf at home, and the shelves are already full of cr@p that I am not using... So, what colours do you guys/gals use?

I'm getting the black and white reversible, that's a no-brainer! I know I can colour the black with a strobe and gels, but was hoping to get one or two different mottled backgrounds, too. One in earthy colours, and the others in green/blue, or something cooler. Maybe even a grey. Anyway, look at the first two pages here: http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …t&Go.x=0&Go.y=0​&Go=submit and tell me what you would choose, or what's closest to what you're already using.

When I was buying my first collapsible background the best bit of advice I got was from another shooter who suggested that I make sure that it was grey. With grey - not black and not white - I can use it as it is and then add gels to change the colour. Mine are both a mottled light/middle grey and are just the thing for location business H&S shots. A darker background reproduces badly when the client want to use the H&S shot as a business announcement.

Having a white backdrop is a good idea for close cropping or passport type shots, while black doesn't have much use to me. Of course once you have the basic backdrop you can add any colours that you like & can afford.

Dave,

Like this? http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …lapsible_Backgr​ound_.html

This was one of the selection that I was about to make...

The one that I have is this one (I think): http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …psible_2_in_1_M​uslin.html

That looks like a smoother finish than the Lastolite.... Hmmm, I like them both.

That Westcott is light/mid grey on one side and if it IS the one that I have it's mottled blue with a little purple on the flip side. The Lastolite is grey on both sides. My feeling is that I can make a light grey background lighter or darker, depending on how I light it, so having two greys - light and dark - isn't all that important. Having grey and then taking a chance on a colour has opened up some options, and seemed to make more sense.

The worst part of all of this is that I only THINK that this one is the one that I have. Seeing colours on the web is bad enough, but the manufacturer may well have changed things since I bought mine ten years ago or so.

DaveG wrote in post #5992628
The worst part of all of this is that I only THINK that this one is the one that I have. Seeing colours on the web is bad enough, but the manufacturer may well have changed things since I bought mine ten years ago or so.

Yup. And I agree with you on lighting the grey to make it lighter, etc. But then I can gel the background light to any colour, so it's sort of a case of six on one hand, half-a-dozen on the other!

For someone who knows - is Westcott much nicer than the Lastolite? I have Westcott umbrellas which I love, but then I have Lastolite reflectors and they're great, too!

Alright, I know everyone here must be waiting with baited breath to see what I got. These are what I ordered:

Washington/Dakota as per your recommendations, and

Wyoming/Mississippi as per my gut feeling.

Only time will tell if one stays in the car most of the time... Thanks everyone for your input!

Awesome! I'm anxious to see how it works out for you; those are nice backgrounds IMO.

I will post some samples here when I can. (I *hate* setting up backgrounds, these I'm almost looking forward to! ).

Rudi wrote in post #5998428
Alright, I know everyone here must be waiting with baited breath to see what I got. These are what I ordered:

Washington/Dakota as per your recommendations, and

Wyoming/Mississippi as per my gut feeling.

Only time will tell if one stays in the car most of the time... Thanks everyone for your input!

Just curious, how did these work out for you? I'm looking to do something similar, using a strobe with gels to change colors.

fullcity wrote in post #6871955
Just curious, how did these work out for you? I'm looking to do something similar, using a strobe with gels to change colors.

I love 'em! I use them mainly for head shots, but they came in handy for dog portraits, too. Here is my dog before and after his haircut. (Taken months apart, with different lighting).