Backdrop/background system, what was it called?

amumonamission

amumonamission

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A few weeks ago I posted on a photography group on Facebook asking advice on background systems and someone recommended a system where the poles extend the length from the floor to the ceiling and then you add the pole and use paper rolls as your background for example, trouble is I can't remember what the system was called and i can't find my post on fb now either, can anyone help and remind me what it was please.

Thanks :)
 
I use manfrotto Autopoles for backgrounds and they are great if you need the floor to be as unclutered as possible and don't want to attach brackets to the wall. They are however quite a costly solution, but a few pounds can be saved by getting the Calumet Studio Pole version.

Paul
 
paul williams said:
I use manfrotto Autopoles for backgrounds and they are great if you need the floor to be as unclutered as possible and don't want to attach brackets to the wall. They are however quite a costly solution, but a few pounds can be saved by getting the Calumet Studio Pole version.

Paul
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Another vote for the Calumet Autopoles... Much better value than the Manfrotto ones
 
Autopoles are great, but beware that the whole system, right down to the brackets and expans (plastic plug in bits) was designed for paper backgrounds. (Cue numerous replies from people using vinyl and canvas backgrounds on them)

Make sure you have a sound ceiling for them to fit against - you won't believe how many of these I sell to people who have suspended ceilings... and dont realise that the ceiling is not firm: Removing a tile, or cutting a tidy circle in a tile to use the (usually!) firm ceiling above is the simple remedy.
 
You will have to cover the top rubber foot of the autopole with a sock or something similar to stop a nice black ring being placed on the white ceiling. autopoles are great for solving all sorts of support problems. by the time you have bought 2 with 2 superclamps and the paper expan system cost will be aropund £ 220.00 so you may want to look at another way of doing it. i would look at 2 x tall stands and a cross bar, cost £ 140.00 for Manfrotto, folds up smaller.
 
amumonamission said:
I am now a little concerned after reading Bayrunners comment about ceilings that this may not be such a good idea?
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The ceilings Jon referred to are suspended ceilings normally found in offices, I've yet to see one in a residential property, not impossible of course, but i would imagine very rare, i use the autopole system in peoples homes, and they are very good

The only thing you would need to worry about if doing full length shots with a paper background, if it's a wooden/laminate/tiled floor you should be fine, if carpet it's not feasible, you would need a piece of hardboard or the like to go under the paper, otherwise it's going to get full of holes, particularly if it's women with heels :)
 
Thanks everyone, im really in two minds on what to do. As i am mobile i need something easy to transport around in the car, at the moment i have a pop up background similar to the lastolite one but bigger and mine has a black and a white train attached, putting it up isn't too bad but taking it down again is not much short of embarrassing!!! I'm hopeless!! I've had these auto poles and the hilite recommended but i think i am going to have the same issues with the hilite as l am with my pop up one! I think i would prefer the hilite because of its ease of lighting when using it as a white background but dont want to make a fool of myself putting it up and taking it down lol!!

Not sure what to do, dont want to go ahaed and buy and find i made the wrong decision...
 
amumonamission said:
Thanks everyone, im really in two minds on what to do. As i am mobile i need something easy to transport around in the car, at the moment i have a pop up background similar to the lastolite one but bigger and mine has a black and a white train attached, putting it up isn't too bad but taking it down again is not much short of embarrassing!!! I'm hopeless!! I've had these auto poles and the hilite recommended but i think i am going to have the same issues with the hilite as l am with my pop up one! I think i would prefer the hilite because of its ease of lighting when using it as a white background but dont want to make a fool of myself putting it up and taking it down lol!!

Not sure what to do, dont want to go ahaed and buy and find i made the wrong decision...
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I suggest the videos and practice for putting down your current one, it's really not so difficult once you get the hang of it.
 
amumonamission said:
Thanks everyone, im really in two minds on what to do. As i am mobile i need something easy to transport around in the car, at the moment i have a pop up background similar to the lastolite one but bigger and mine has a black and a white train attached, putting it up isn't too bad but taking it down again is not much short of embarrassing!!! I'm hopeless!! I've had these auto poles and the hilite recommended but i think i am going to have the same issues with the hilite as l am with my pop up one! I think i would prefer the hilite because of its ease of lighting when using it as a white background but dont want to make a fool of myself putting it up and taking it down lol!!

Not sure what to do, dont want to go ahaed and buy and find i made the wrong decision...
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AutoPole's aren't the most portable thing as 'generally' you find you need the 2.1 to 3.7 metre ones – so you’ll need to be able to accommodate that minimum 2.1metres in the vehicle. I used to travel with mine using either a cloth background supported on a crossbar or a full 3xpaper roll Expan set-up. I find them really easy to set-up/take down and don't have to worry about them marking the ceilings as I use plain cut circles of canvas to go between the top 'foot' and ceiling – even then Manfrotto sell sets of non-marking caps at £5ish (much more ‘pro’ looking) and their little spirit level at £7ish is also well worth having. Unfortunately I've only got one 'spare' so can't really offer a loan set for you to try out.

Paul
 
paul williams said:
AutoPole's aren't the most portable thing as 'generally' you find you need the 2.1 to 3.7 metre ones – so you’ll need to be able to accommodate that minimum 2.1metres in the vehicle. I used to travel with mine using either a cloth background supported on a crossbar or a full 3xpaper roll Expan set-up. I find them really easy to set-up/take down and don't have to worry about them marking the ceilings as I use plain cut circles of canvas to go between the top 'foot' and ceiling – even then Manfrotto sell sets of non-marking caps at £5ish (much more ‘pro’ looking) and their little spirit level at £7ish is also well worth having. Unfortunately I've only got one 'spare' so can't really offer a loan set for you to try out.

Paul
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Hmm might need a rethink on this then as I think 2.1 meters is going to be too long for a hatchback mondeo!

Thanks for the advise :)
 
amumonamission said:
Hmm might need a rethink on this then as I think 2.1 meters is going to be too long for a hatchback mondeo
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If you're not too concerned about passenger comfort, 2.1m in a Mondeo should be fine.

FWIW I've travelled around the country with 2.75m rolls of background paper in my Mondeo (older shape), but you'd need exceptionally understanding passengers who are happy to contort themselves in unnatural ways. :)

Cheers!
Tony
 
amumonamission said:
I am planning on using these in peoples homes as I am a mobile photographer, I am now a little concerned after reading Bayrunners comment about ceilings that this may not be such a good idea?
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Besides the varying quality of ceilings you will find, think about having 6 or 7ft poles to carry in and out of most modern homes..... Let alone a 9 ft paper roll...... And then you need the space between subject and background for background lighting.... It all looks very impractical for work in the home IMHO..... And Mind that Ming vase.... Oh... Too late!

It's where the Lastolite Hi lite comes into its own.
 
Bayrunner said:
Besides the varying quality of ceilings you will find, think about having 6 or 7ft poles to carry in and out of most modern homes..... Let alone a 9 ft paper roll...... And then you need the space between subject and background for background lighting.... It all looks very impractical for work in the home IMHO..... And Mind that Ming vase.... Oh... Too late!

It's where the Lastolite Hi lite comes into its own.
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Can't see why it's impractical, and why anymore difficult than a Hi-lite ? you are going to get much better results with paper backgrounds, ie different colours, more room for creativity with casting shadows etc etc. As regards the Ming vase, yes you have to be more aware and careful, however you could just as easy knock a vase over with a light-stand as with an autopole, and another thing to consider when folding your 8x7 Hi-lite at the end of a shoot, if you don't do it within the first couple of go's you start to look a bit flustered, trust me I've done it :D

I'm not saying the Hi-lite isn't any good, but to dismiss paper backgrounds is daft, i use both, and for setting up and putting away, i much prefer the autopole system.
 
Bayrunner said:
Besides the varying quality of ceilings you will find, think about having 6 or 7ft poles to carry in and out of most modern homes..... Let alone a 9 ft paper roll...... And then you need the space between subject and background for background lighting.... It all looks very impractical for work in the home IMHO..... And Mind that Ming vase.... Oh... Too late!

It's where the Lastolite Hi lite comes into its own.
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Yeah I get what you're saying and understand why it would be more tricky but I don't want to be limited to colour choice and also I'm just hopeless at folding those pop up things. As long as you're aware of how long the poles are and you're extra vigilant then I don't see it being a problem and if the worst did come to the worst then I'm insured. Thanks though, I do appreciate everyones advice. :)
 
TG. said:
Can't see why it's impractical, and why anymore difficult than a Hi-lite ? you are going to get much better results with paper backgrounds, ie different colours, more room for creativity with casting shadows etc etc. As regards the Ming vase, yes you have to be more aware and careful, however you could just as easy knock a vase over with a light-stand as with an autopole, and another thing to consider when folding your 8x7 Hi-lite at the end of a shoot, if you don't do it within the first couple of go's you start to look a bit flustered, trust me I've done it :D

I'm not saying the Hi-lite isn't any good, but to dismiss paper backgrounds is daft, i use both, and for setting up and putting away, i much prefer the autopole system.
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You just took the words out of my mouth! lol!

Yeah I like the hilite for its ease of lighting for a white background but I don't always what to use white. Not only that but I want to learn how to use my lighting properly instead of short cutting and using the hilite!

My mind is made up I think, for me personally after reading everyones post on here I will gain much more from the auto poles. Am I right in thinking that I can hang more than one role from them? i.e. 3 different coloured paper roles at the same time?
 
amumonamission said:
Am I right in thinking that I can hang more than one role from them? i.e. 3 different coloured paper roles at the same time?
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Yes you can, i use triple hooks which gives you 3 different coloured backgrounds, which should be enough home shoots, you can get ones that hold 6, but you won't have the ceiling height for those in a home.

As luck would have it their are a set of triple hooks for sale, in the classifieds HERE :D
 
TG. said:
Can't see why it's impractical.....
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It's not impractical from a photography point of view at all..... The impracticalitity is in firstly getting it into the house, secondly setting it up around everything else that is normally in a house and then the extra need for space to light it properly. Remember the OP is utilising someone's domestic living space to create a studio, and the chances of finding an uncluttered studio type space in the average family home are pretty slim.

With the Hilite there is nothing else other than the background itself and lights- one trip from the car with two bags, and easy in and out. No fiddly screws or clamps as with Autopoles..... It sits in a modest space, and overcomes the need for space between background and subject- but, unless you have mastered it, you have the battle to get it back into the bag. You can use gels in a HiLite to give a degree of different colours, but not the strength of colour you might get from a paper roll.

As I have been telling clients for years, there are several different ways of setting up a background: None of them are ideal. You just have to choose the least worst for each particular set of circumstances and adapt technique accordingly: Were the OP asking for advice on what to do in a studio space, my answer would be to think about paper and vinyls, and no doubt there would be a number of suggestions that he go to the expense of a cove.
 
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Jon
The beginning of the problem is that the OP is having problems folding her current folding background (the hilite will be a little more tricky). My personal view is still to get comfortable with the current BG I'm sure poles could also get unwieldy and upset things just as badly.

Oh yeah: he there's a clue in the username amumonamission although it's more obvious by the picture and her being called Sarah and all.
 
amumonamission said:
I am planning on using these in peoples homes as I am a mobile photographer, I am now a little concerned after reading Bayrunners comment about ceilings that this may not be such a good idea?
Click to expand...

Don't use auto poles in clients houses, they can case domestic ceilings to flex often causing the plaster to come away where the nails are, though not major damage its a problem you dont want.

2 stands & a cross pole is a safer bet.
 
Phil V said:
Jon
The beginning of the problem is that the OP is having problems folding her current folding background (the hilite will be a little more tricky). My personal view is still to get comfortable with the current BG......
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Yes.... It sounds like a case of practice practice practice- once you have mastered it, you wonder what all the fuss was about!
 
builders plasterboard props, 2 for £25 work a treat for uprights.
 
Tizer said:
builders plasterboard props, 2 for £25 work a treat for uprights.
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Something i would never of thought of, but they do look to work on the same principle as autopoles, but at a fraction of the cost, i just wonder where the clamps for the brackets would go.
 
Phil V said:
Jon
The beginning of the problem is that the OP is having problems folding her current folding background (the hilite will be a little more tricky). My personal view is still to get comfortable with the current BG I'm sure poles could also get unwieldy and upset things just as badly.

Oh yeah: he there's a clue in the username amumonamission although it's more obvious by the picture and her being called Sarah and all.
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Hi phil,

I am still going to use your advise and look at videos to help me get used to folding my current background.

Since starting this thread I have decided that I will probably use my current background and the auto pole system as well (not at the same time of course) depending on what type of shoot I am doing. For example, I would like to start doing cake smash shoots (people have enquired about having these on several occasions, and yes in their own homes), my current background would be unsuitable for this as I would have no way of cleaning it properly, using paper rolls would get around this issue. Plus my current background is black on one side and white on the other so could use the paper rolls for different colour backgrounds etc etc..
 
SpikeB said:
Don't use auto poles in clients houses, they can case domestic ceilings to flex often causing the plaster to come away where the nails are, though not major damage its a problem you dont want.

2 stands & a cross pole is a safer bet.
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Apparently you can buy things to go on the end of the poles to protect the ceilings.
 
amumonamission said:
I really do hope you're right, I am a patient person but trying to fold that background nearly sends me over the edge at times! lol!
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Do you have a last olive type reflector?

I've only just realised, I'd been using those for ten years before I had to do the background. Which is why it never occurred to me to be scared of it. It might be bigger, but as its the same principal?

Get one anyway, a cheap 5in1 from eBay or Amazon is the best value accessory for portrait photography.
 
Phil V said:
Do you have a last olive type reflector?

I've only just realised, I'd been using those for ten years before I had to do the background. Which is why it never occurred to me to be scared of it. It might be bigger, but as its the same principal?

Get one anyway, a cheap 5in1 from eBay or Amazon is the best value accessory for portrait photography.
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Yes I have one of those, I agree it's a must have accessory, I use it all the time.

I don't seem to have a problem folding that at all! I think my problem with the background is the size of it, I can't hold it at each side, twist and fold it as its too big if that makes sense. Plus the black and the white train attached to it adds to the problem. I would have to measure to be completely accurate but I think my background is about 2m high x 2m wide plus the train comes out about 1m - 1.5m. So I need to find a way if folding it where I don't have to hold it at each edge. Hopefully that makes sense! Lol!
 
Phil V said:
Here's what you need:
http://www.lastoliteschoolofphotography.com/different-ways-to-fold-the-lastolite-hilite
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He does make it look easy, however, he is in quite a large sized room, with nothing around, a different ball game when their are TVs, sofas and other objects in the way, and you in a 12x14 room, i always seem to have trouble folding mine, i think i have only done it straight off a few times the way he did it, the other downside is sometimes the frame can get twisted, and then you have to mess about putting that right, although their is a youtube video of how to untwist it too.
 
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