Advice on backdrops

Raptor Mike

Raptor Mike

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Mike
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As I've said in other posts I'm starting to try more portraits. My friends would like me to do some baby bump photos. I've seen some good outdoor location shots but as she's due in January they will be indoor shots. I wanted to do some with a vinyl backdrop. I would like to get black, whit eand grey. However I don't want to spend a fortune because I'm doing these shots for free and experience and although I will use them for other portraits I don't want to spend to much yet. I have had a look on Amazon but I don't know what's OK cheap or rubbish cheap.

Can anyone reccomend a backdrop set and stand that won't brake the bank? And what's a good seize to have?

Thanks loads in adavance, Mike
 
Have a look at the Bessel black/white vinyl.

If you've enough space grey is great as when lit it's white and can be black if unlit with enough distance.I started with a photosel background and train (reversible, black and white).

Then moved into vinyl.

Then the hilite.

Now for ease and convenience I use the bedroom wall - grey!

S
 
Sir SR said:
Have a look at the Bessel black/white vinyl.

If you've enough space grey is great as when lit it's white and can be black if unlit with enough distance.I started with a photosel background and train (reversible, black and white).

Then moved into vinyl.

Then the hilite.

Now for ease and convenience I use the bedroom wall - grey!

S
Click to expand...
Thanks for that :thumbs:
 
So Im liking the look of these:
http://www.bessel.co.uk/acatalog/2m...ed-Vinyl-Background-5060339960968.html#SID=27
http://www.bessel.co.uk/acatalog/Background-Support-Kit-5060339961262.html#SID=47

But at £120 for both its a little more than Im ready to pay as a beginner in portraits. I read some stuff about using sheets, so is it a good idea to buy the stand and just use some material until Im at the stage spend more money?

I do have long plain blue curtains but they dont come down to the floor for full body shots and means moving the sofa lol

Any more ideas just to get started greatly appreciated
 
My advice would be to look for a room which has a plain wall to start with if you have the space - cheap and you can practice until you get better without paying out too much!

Its what I use for the majority of my portraits now.

S
 
Ive got the Bessel 2x4 B&W not had chance to use it yet but hoping to do some with my son when he comes at weekend. Very impressed with it. You need to make sure you got a big space as 2m bigger than you think and with the stands its more like 2.5-3m wide in total
 
Sir SR said:
My advice would be to look for a room which has a plain wall to start with if you have the space - cheap and you can practice until you get better without paying out too much!

Its what I use for the majority of my portraits now.

S
Click to expand...
Thanks,
My house is quite small and where there's a wall there's something against it lol. All the rooms taht I could use are a funny shape too so there is really one wall large enough with room to set up around
 
James83 said:
Ive got the Bessel 2x4 B&W not had chance to use it yet but hoping to do some with my son when he comes at weekend. Very impressed with it. You need to make sure you got a big space as 2m bigger than you think and with the stands its more like 2.5-3m wide in total
Click to expand...

I may have been a tad optimistic, the widest space I have is around 1.8m :oops: :$
 
They do a smaller one think its 1.45m if your limited on space
 
James83 said:
They do a smaller one think its 1.45m if your limited on space
Click to expand...
They do. It says the frame needs 75cm on top of the bar length. I have had a rethink on set up and recon I could go to just over 2.2m so the 1.45 should be fine.

However it's still not going to be cheap at £105, well I suppose that is cheap in gear terms but not in mine lol
 
So by moving an armchair I think I've found a wall lol
PLEASE NOTE: These photos are quick snaps for illustration purposes.

The wall needs a touch up where the chair has rubbed against it and where the boy has been chucking his bookbag on the back. You can see the moved armchair in the bottom right. This would be more out the way but the floor is coverd in the kids dressing up stuff lol

_MG_4656 by Raptor Mike, on Flickr

It's big enough for waste up shots

_MG_4659 by Raptor Mike, on Flickr

Or full length a crop or cloning

_MG_4661 by Raptor Mike, on Flickr

Or to fit twin 3 year old girls in

_MG_4657 by Raptor Mike, on Flickr

So the idea is to but some hooks in the top of the wall and get some sheets until I know if I want to keep going with portraits.

What do you think?
 
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Sir SR said:
My advice would be to look for a room which has a plain wall to start with if you have the space - cheap and you can practice until you get better without paying out too much!

Its what I use for the majority of my portraits now.

S
Click to expand...
I have managed to sort the kids bedroom out so I can use a wall. I need to repain the wall due to bluetac from posters so thought I might as well paint it white. Pics to follow.
 
Raptor Mike said:
I have managed to sort the kids bedroom out so I can use a wall. I need to repain the wall due to bluetac from posters so thought I might as well paint it white. Pics to follow.
Click to expand...

Hi Mike,

What did you go for in the end?

Thanks

Kev
 
sep9001 said:
Hi Mike,
What did you go for in the end?
Click to expand...

Hi. I painted the wall and it works very well. I have also bought a stand because I did a photo shoot at a playgroup recently and although the playgroup wanted the kids posing while playing it would've been nice to have a back ground area. Also it will be handy for picture backdrops like Christmas ones. I got this one and although I haven't used it yet I have put it together. It should hold a vinyl roll as well, when I can afford one http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008J2UIWG?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01
 
Mike,

Thank you. I have just got a set of stands from a mate, it is missing the middle pole but I should hopefully be able to use the ali pole that comes with the vinyl. At present am looking at the grey/white Bessel 1.45m by 3m but not sure if I should go for the 2m by 3m. It will just be used for pics of my kids at home.

Kev
 
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sep9001 said:
Mike,

Thank you. I have just bought a set of stands from ebay, it is missing the middle pole but I should hopefully be able to use the ali pole that comes with the vinyl. At present am looking at the grey/white Bessel 1.45m by 3m but not sure if I should go for the 2m by 3m. It will just be used for pics of my kids at home.

Kev
Click to expand...
On my delving for stands I found a crossbar. I think it was from WEX
 
mike weeks said:
Vinyl is not that special, paper is far easier to work with and you can buy half width rolls.

Mike
Click to expand...

Mike,

Thanks, looking online the price of paper is very close to vinyl, unless I am looking at wrong sites. I presume vinyl will last longer and also I can get a grey/white double sided as opposed to two rolls of paper.

Kev
 
You are looking in the wrong place then. Use the grey side of the vinyl and the white side is in contact with the dirt. People tread all over it and that added pressure marks the white side. Overlit grey will go white, underlit grey will go black and the use of gels can make it any colour.

Mke
 
Mike,

Thanks, where should I look for reasonable priced paper background ?

Also what is a good size in width to get for full portraits of kids?

Kev
 
Thank you, will check the sites when I am on a PC.
 
Have had a look at the links, thanks and have decided to go for a 2m wide grey/white vinyl probably from Bessel.

What length would be suitable for full length 3m or will I need 4m and need to make sure that the weight is okay for the photosel stands?

Thanks
 
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