Cheap Studio Setup question

I am looking to set up a very cheap studio setup, keep in mind i am a college student on a budget. I have two vivitar 285s that i will be using, I will be purchasing a third. In the near future I will be purchasing an Alien Bees 800.

So my question what would be the cheapest and most versatile backdrop (ie white muslin, white seamless paper, or some DIY option). Also what about a back drop stand, either a cheap one to buy or a DIY option.

Is there anything else i might need, will i be able to use the 285s effectively

Thank you
Roshan

i was looking at this, would this work ok?

http://cgi.ebay.com …286.c0.m14#ht_5​311wt_1166

It does look nice.. and the price is right too.

Mufutau

Subfightersandman wrote in post #8470951
i was looking at this, would this work ok?

http://cgi.ebay.com …286.c0.m14#ht_5​311wt_1166

A white bed sheet is cheaper and easier to use. Just keep the object/model further away from the background and open up your lens. The background will get OOF and you can't tell what it is.

Don't like that idea? Go to your local art or fabric store and see if you can find any material. It's a lot cheaper there. Just have to sew a bit of it over to make a hole for the pipe. Or just use clamps to hold it up... $1 a piece.

Yeah you can get some white fabric and do a tie-die job on it to for cheap too.

aram535 wrote in post #8471473
A white bed sheet is cheaper and easier to use. Just keep the object/model further away from the background and open up your lens. The background will get OOF and you can't tell what it is.

Don't like that idea? Go to your local art or fabric store and see if you can find any material. It's a lot cheaper there. Just have to sew a bit of it over to make a hole for the pipe. Or just use clamps to hold it up... $1 a piece.

Poor quality of a white background wil require more intense background light reltively to the main light fix it. Since OP has only Vivitars the main light will get too little power. An option there is to buy two additional vivitars ($180) or buy a seamless paper. If he does not need full 107" wide he can buy a 53" - which cost $20. So going the 'right' way is obviously cheaper.

I use a 5in1 reflector. It has a black side to it which is great for head shots, but not much else.

Paper is probably the cheapest for nice consistent results. Sheets are sometimes too thin and unless properly lit can let background color bleed through.

Vad,

Although I agree with the overall statement, if you get the subject away from the background enough and the DOF is the right size the background will not show at all. For a poor college student (from what I remember) $20 is like 3 meals. So every little bit helps.

But I do agree that you're better off getting the right background as it would make your life easier.

i think i may go with the seamless paper as it seams like the better option, and sheets are not too much cheaper than that paper so i might as well get the better one.

Now how does this paper work. I understand it is on a roll, So do you just pull it down and when it getsw dirty and beat up do you just tear it off and pull more down?

what color would be best to start with, I would guess white but i may be wrong.

Yes.. just pull it down and roll. if parts get dirty, just cut it off and roll again.
I think the Thunder Gray color from Savage will be good for a start, unless you want a specific color.

Mufutau

Subfightersandman wrote in post #8473750
i think i may go with the seamless paper as it seams like the better option, and sheets are not too much cheaper than that paper so i might as well get the better one.

Now how does this paper work. I understand it is on a roll, So do you just pull it down and when it getsw dirty and beat up do you just tear it off and pull more down?

what color would be best to start with, I would guess white but i may be wrong.

why would you suggest grey

Neutral colour that you can colour with a gelled flash or blitz it to get a white background or deny light to get black.

I agree that its a great color for the reasons mentioned above, but blitzing it to get white with his light kit is not an option. If you want white, start with white.

Right. More reason I said "unless he wants a specific color", which in his case a white color.

Mufutau

gonzogolf wrote in post #8474241
I agree that its a great color for the reasons mentioned above, but blitzing it to get white with his light kit is not an option. If you want white, start with white.