Backgrounds - White Muslin vs White Paper

[chilli_vision]

Hi All,

How do you guys find muslin backgrounds compared with paper backgrounds in terms of giving a crisp and continuous back drop to a portrait?

For example, images of full length portraits I see that seem to be taken with the paper backgrounds seem to have a very smooth white floor, but I wonder if the cloth of a muslin sheet might crumple easier under foot and show creases or not give that smooth look.

What are you experiences.

Matt

 

[itsdavedotnet]

muslin's a pain in the rear, get the paper.

 

[Robbo]

I have a muslin.....hate it.

its 6x3 and Fine I need to iron it each use (as its not set up permanant) If I dont iron it then I find I have to OE too much to get rid of the wrinkles.

Also on the floor......OMG! nightmare, will kill your PP time!

Buying a white vinyl as we speak actually lol

 

[chilli_vision]

I get the impression muslin is going to be a faff, not from a crease point of view, and bunching when on the floor.

I don't normal shoot portraits, but I am borrowing a background stand and muslin sheet from a mate to have a bit of an experiment with some friends and family over the xmas break, just a bit of fun really.

I am hoping to get a nice crisp look in the background and knowing that light placement will aid this, I just wondered if there is anything I can do to avoid catching creases in the cloth, both on the back section, and on the floor under the models. My initial thoughts are going to iron it and roll it around a tube to keep it from folding up and getting creases in. Then I was going to gaffer tape it to he floor to try and keep it as smooth as possible, or minimise the bunching effect when stepped on.

I did think about getting some clear plastic/perspex sheets to place on top of the muslin sheet for the models to step on which may help keep the muslin flat.

Matt

 

[Robbo]

I had a shoot a few weeks ago, 54 kids, used the muslin.

On your set up try to get the back drop to just over expose to the point where you cannon see any creases, I used iso 200 and about 1/2 power on 200watt studio lights for this. That will produce the smooth White for your back ground.

Place your 'subjects' a good distance away from the back drop so the back lights don't effect them etc ten just set you main light or lights and work on the right power for their exposure.

For the floor, I had to gaffa tape all the edges down, starting with sides then the front. Do it in short strips rather than one long one. It worked fine for me, a little PP but not much, and that was with kids running on it, so a family etc smwho can tread a little more careful should be fine.

The reason I am moving to vinyl was to cut down on set up time and PP. If you just doing the odd one or two you should have no problem.

Here are a few I shot with muslin....

 

[chilli_vision]

I had a shoot a few weeks ago, 54 kids, used the muslin.

On your set up try to get the back drop to just over expose to the point where you cannon see any creases, I used iso 200 and about 1/2 power on 200watt studio lights for this. That will produce the smooth White for your back ground.

Place your 'subjects' a good distance away from the back drop so the back lights don't effect them etc ten just set you main light or lights and work on the right power for their exposure.

For the floor, I had to gaffa tape all the edges down, starting with sides then the front. Do it in short strips rather than one long one. It worked fine for me, a little PP but not much, and that was with kids running on it, so a family etc smwho can tread a little more careful should be fine.

The reason I am moving to vinyl was to cut down on set up time and PP. If you just doing the odd one or two you should have no problem.

Here are a few I shot with muslin....

Hi Robbo,

Thanks for your comments, backed up some of my thoughts. This is a little bit of fun so want to get the best images I can with my kit, experience etc, but not really overly worried as there is no income or reputation riding on them .

Um, you didn't add any of your example shots though. Would be great to have a look if possible.

matt

 

[Robbo]

Not sure how well they have uploaded as these are a copy off my site, so they will look a little dull. Also uploaded via my phone so might be a big blocky, can't tell on my screen lol!

First image has no PP on the bg

Second image had a little work on th floor to remove crease/shadows from creases. Left the shadow in other wise looks like people are floating lol

 

[Robbo]

Hi Robbo,

Thanks for your comments, backed up some of my thoughts. This is a little bit of fun so want to get the best images I can with my kit, experience etc, but not really overly worried as there is no income or reputation riding on them .

Um, you didn't add any of your example shots though. Would be great to have a look if possible.

matt

Forgot to ask what lighting have you access to?