Background examples

[steveinhants]

Evening all,

I was wondering......I read a lot about the different background material and everyone lists the usual pros and cons. Is there any chance people could post some examples of shots with paper, vinyl, muslin etc, please.
Thanks!

 

[Garry Edwards]

TBH, I think that the only way that this could help you is an example of a graduated background, straight out of camera with no PP work, if anyone wants to post one.

But I can tell you right now that this particular example will be of paper, because only paper is ideal for this, some vinyl is usable and muslin isn't.

Any other type of background lighting can be done on any kind of background, if it's done well it looks good and if it isn't it doesn't, so it says more about the photographer than the material.

And then lighting faults are often hidden (and sometimes hidden well) by PP work, because a lot of people seem to prefer to mend on computer than to make in camera.

 

[steveinhants]

Hi Garry,

What I was hoping to see was the difference (if any) of the actual materials. For example, I saw a shot earlier that included a table that was reflected. I presumed that this must have been vinyl unless it was put in during pp'ing. Does this make sense?

 

[Garry Edwards]

Steve,
I don't think you'll gain from this unless you see examples of the same subject by the same photographer using different materials, which isn't all that likely to happen IMO.

The reflection could have been PP, or it could have been an acrylic or other kind of shiny material on the floor, or a bit of each.

 

[ScottUK]

It mainly depends on how often you're going to be using it.

I stopped using paper as I was purchasing a new roll every week/two weeks, this was turning out to be a false economy. I switched over to vinyl and it's perfect, yes it gets dirty but after each shoot I simply wipe it down with soapy water.

Cloth can be ok as long as you can 'blow out' the crease with flash.

Examples of paper / vinyl are on my website