Amateur shooting - backgrounds

CanonFodder

CanonFodder

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Dave
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Hi all

Long time since I've been on here, much to do with the fact I now have an 8 month old boy, which is part of the reason for this post.

I want to get some nice pictures of him/us and I want to get a backdrop since most of my pictures (in my opinion) look really nice with the exception of the backgrounds.

I have seen this:

http://www.bestbudgetbuys.co.uk/lei...ite-backdrop-support-system-300-x-300-cm.html

and they do it in 300cm x 600cm as well which is probably the one I'd go for. It seems like a good price.

I currently have a Canon 500D, 430EX II, remote trigger, tripod, off camera flash and few lenses (Tamron 17-55 2.8, Canon 50mm 1.8 and some others which aren't applicable).

Does anyone know if that background and support is a good deal? Or any other suggestions?

Bear in mind this is for home use for the family.

Thanks!
 
I love my Lastolite Hilite, you need to think about lighting the background then lighting the subject.

Don't lose sight that a white sheet draped over a sofa can have some great results, you don't always have to have studio conditions.

Have fun.

quick search on eBay for a hilite returned this one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/lastolite...=UK_Photography_Backdrops&hash=item2a1886f816

edit: there is no backlight to the ground sheet, and there is no infinity curve. Best to be aware of this :-)
 
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Thanks both.

The lastolite looks great but currently we need the whole thing to be collapsable so it can be easily stored when not used. Excuse the naivety but what do you mean lighting the background and subject? Obviously I understand the words, but how is that achieved? :)

We've already been using bed sheets over sofa's/hanging from the wall but just looking to take it to the next level. Not too fussed if it's not steel, it would probably be twice the price once you factor in the background as well.
 
That looks really similar to something I bought from the classifieds on here. I wanted the stands/bar and wasn't bothered about the sheet as I wanted something to hold up my popup background.

The sheet is shiney one side, fluffy the other but I'm not sure I'd ever get the creases out. Ideally you'd want it quite long on oneside to put on the floor. The stands are fine for my use, or for a lightweight sheet, but beware the stands don't go out really wide so watch for stability. For shooting in a front room (my intended purpose) they are fine.

For lighting the background, I use two flashguns one on either side, usually close-ish with the diffuser set. I've got some cheap manual Yungyou's as I'm only triggering by wireless, then I use my 580ex from the front in an umbrella softbox but a normal brolly would do. I've another 430 and 420 if I need to add more light but three guns usually do it.
 
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Dave, bear in mind the dimensions given for the background is 3m x 3m, and the last image shows the background in use, but it definitely looks rectangular rather than square. In fact in that last image I would say they were showing a 3m x 5m.
To get some of the supplied background onto the floor, you may well need at least 2m on the floor to give you enough depth between subject and background, which would leave you with a laughable 1m for the actual backdrop.
I would seriously consider an alternative backdrop sheet that will provide you with enough tail for the foreground etc.
 
I'd second that advice above. Can the Lencarta stand take a paper roll?
 
Dave, that background should be fine.
Paper is great insofar as it's fresh each time, but using it over carpet will definitely cause creasing or even tears etc. Which means each time it's used, you will end up disposing of the damaged area after the shoot. It can start to get quite expensive.
 
I used paper in our works studio but I had a painted concrete floor that I'd sweep and keep clean. I can see carpet would cause a problem for creases, but on a hard floor I had no issues with reusing several times.
When I did cut a dirty bit out, there were plenty of taker for there kids to use.

I use my stand to support a pop p screen with attached train, but that's cloth and works well, you just have to watch the rucking.
 
CanonFodder said:
Michael - the link I posted for the background was to a muslin background (nylon), so different to paper?
Click to expand...

Yes, it's a fabric, but can be difficult to retain tension and get creases out.
Try taping the muslin to the uprights of the support to stretch it taut :thumbs:
 
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Byker28i said:
I used paper in our works studio but I had a painted concrete floor that I'd sweep and keep clean. I can see carpet would cause a problem for creases, but on a hard floor I had no issues with reusing several times.
When I did cut a dirty bit out, there were plenty of taker for there kids to use.

I use my stand to support a pop p screen with attached train, but that's cloth and works well, you just have to watch the rucking.
Click to expand...

Definitely works best on hard floors. Models in stilettos tend to cause less damage too :naughty:
 
CanonFodder said:
Thanks both.

The lastolite looks great but currently we need the whole thing to be collapsable so it can be easily stored when not used. Excuse the naivety but what do you mean lighting the background and subject? Obviously I understand the words, but how is that achieved? :)

We've already been using bed sheets over sofa's/hanging from the wall but just looking to take it to the next level. Not too fussed if it's not steel, it would probably be twice the price once you factor in the background as well.
Click to expand...

Hi, I may have missed something so sorry if I have but the Lastolite Hilite is fully collapsible.

I love mine, it's so easy to store and works so well.

Colin
 
Phall82 said:
Hi, I may have missed something so sorry if I have but the Lastolite Hilite is fully collapsible.

I love mine, it's so easy to store and works so well.

Colin
Click to expand...

I believe the lastolite systems are great. My only misgivings is their cost :shake:
 
CanonFodder said:
Hi all

Long time since I've been on here, much to do with the fact I now have an 8 month old boy, which is part of the reason for this post.

I want to get some nice pictures of him/us and I want to get a backdrop since most of my pictures (in my opinion) look really nice with the exception of the backgrounds.

I have seen this:

http://www.bestbudgetbuys.co.uk/leisure/photography/backdrop-systems/white-backdrop-support-system-300-x-300-cm.html

and they do it in 300cm x 600cm as well which is probably the one I'd go for. It seems like a good price.

I currently have a Canon 500D, 430EX II, remote trigger, tripod, off camera flash and few lenses (Tamron 17-55 2.8, Canon 50mm 1.8 and some others which aren't applicable).

Does anyone know if that background and support is a good deal? Or any other suggestions?

Bear in mind this is for home use for the family.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

This looks very similar to the background support I got off ebay recently, for a lot less. However, whilst it will serve its purpose I bought it for it really is a little too light and well the "free" background cloth I got is so cheap I wish they hadn't bothered posting it.

Should I need a background support more than once or twice a year this will soon break.

If you can stretch get a decent one and cloth I doubt you will regret it and it would be easy to sell on.
 
CanonFodder said:
I have seen this:

http://www.bestbudgetbuys.co.uk/lei...ite-backdrop-support-system-300-x-300-cm.html
Click to expand...

This looks like the support and background I've been using for the last couple of years - at least the carry bag is the same.

Not had any problems and even though it's made of aluminium alloy it's very sturdy. Aluminium does not necessarily equal flimsy.

I have the 3m x 6m backdrop which can be a bit of a handful if you have to set it up and pack it away frequently (which i do). I've also modified it so I can have the support bar narrower at the top (1m, 2m or 3m).

You can pack the support, background, two light stands, umbrellas and flash triggers in the bag ... pretty heavy with all that gear but makes it easier to carry.
 
Bristolian said:
This looks like the support and background I've been using for the last couple of years - at least the carry bag is the same.

Not had any problems and even though it's made of aluminium alloy it's very sturdy. Aluminium does not necessarily equal flimsy.

I have the 3m x 6m backdrop which can be a bit of a handful if you have to set it up and pack it away frequently (which i do). I've also modified it so I can have the support bar narrower at the top (1m, 2m or 3m).

You can pack the support, background, two light stands, umbrellas and flash triggers in the bag ... pretty heavy with all that gear but makes it easier to carry.
Click to expand...

That's brill, thanks for the info!

Stupid question alert! Anyone feel free to chip in here...

The muslin background is 3mx6m....and the frame can adjust to be smaller than 3m (say 1m), so can that background be made smaller too, in order to fit the now smaller frame?

I'm sure the answer is yes...but never having owned one of these I have to be sure :)

Thanks
 
CanonFodder said:
That's brill, thanks for the info!

Stupid question alert! Anyone feel free to chip in here...

The muslin background is 3mx6m....and the frame can adjust to be smaller than 3m (say 1m), so can that background be made smaller too, in order to fit the now smaller frame?

I'm sure the answer is yes...but never having owned one of these I have to be sure :)

Thanks
Click to expand...

Yes mate, that's precisely what I do. I took the backdrop and laid it out in the dining room. Used a sharp pair of scissors and made cuts through the portion that the support cross member goes through 1m from each end. Got the wife to sew up the edges of the cuts to stop them fraying.

I can now set the width of the backdrop at 1, 2 or 3m and just fold the excess around the back of one of the uprights out of the way. As I use clamps to help pull the backdrop taught they double for tidying up the excess material too.

Hope that's clearly explained :)
 
i have the lastolight hilite - be careful to meter it and beware of Light Wrap if you get too close to it
Sean
 
Bristolian said:
Yes mate, that's precisely what I do. I took the backdrop and laid it out in the dining room. Used a sharp pair of scissors and made cuts through the portion that the support cross member goes through 1m from each end. Got the wife to sew up the edges of the cuts to stop them fraying.

I can now set the width of the backdrop at 1, 2 or 3m and just fold the excess around the back of one of the uprights out of the way. As I use clamps to help pull the backdrop taught they double for tidying up the excess material too.

Hope that's clearly explained :)
Click to expand...

Thanks for that - it is clearly explained and I see what you've done.

What does confuse me slightly is that the backgrounds seem to be a very standard size (3mx3m or 6mx3m) but the supports are all able to bet set smaller (in terms of width), so is the only way to use the backdrops with the supports set to <3m really to start cutting them up??
 
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