Group shot background size

[WelshNoob]

I've been asked to take a hi key group shot of 6 adults and a child. I currently have a muslin background which is going to be way to small so thought I'd invest in some vinyl instead. The sizes I've seen are 2m and 2.7m wide,is it possible to do it on something as small as the 2m I'm leaning towards no, but the 2m width would be handier for future use for other things. Any input gratefully received.

 

[Garry Edwards]

I'm assuming that when you say high key, you mean a blown white background?

If so, you'll need as much space as possible between the people and the background, say 8' minimum. Depending on the amount of distance you have available, there will inevitably be at least some perspective distortion and unless you have A LOT of shooting space you will need the background to be a lot wider than 2m. If space is limited and you end up using a fairly wide lens, you'll need a very wide background.

 

[WelshNoob]

I'm assuming that when you say high key, you mean a blown white background?

If so, you'll need as much space as possible between the people and the background, say 8' minimum. Depending on the amount of distance you have available, there will inevitably be at least some perspective distortion and unless you have A LOT of shooting space you will need the background to be a lot wider than 2m. If space is limited and you end up using a fairly wide lens, you'll need a very wide background.

Thanks Gary 8ft (2.4m) from the background won't be an issue at all. Do you think a 2.7 meter background would suffice?

 

[Daryl]

We use 2.9 for all groups work Bessel do vinyl for £99. well worth it. Same stuff as the Lastolite but a third of the price,

http://www.bessel.co.uk/acatalog/2.9m-x-6m-White-Vinyl-Background-5060339960340.html#SID=4

 

[WelshNoob]

We use 2.9 for all groups work Bessel do vinyl for £99. well worth it. Same stuff as the Lastolite but a third of the price,

http://www.bessel.co.uk/acatalog/2.9m-x-6m-White-Vinyl-Background-5060339960340.html#SID=4

Thanks daryl, how heavy is it? On a scale of, easy to transport to B***** me its heavy,will be fine.

 

[Daryl]

very easy... we stick them on tubes on top of our vans. or they fit nicely down middle of any estate car... If you drive a little Fiat or Smart car you are screwed.

 

[Raptor Mike]

very easy... we stick them on tubes on top of our vans.

That is a really good idea

 

[Daryl]

Bessel do great kit at very good prices.

 

[Raptor Mike]

Bessel do great kit at very good prices.

Not sure their backdrop stand will hold their vinyl rolls though, which is a shame.

 

[Daryl]

I jam 2 pieces of wood in each end and drill 2 holes through for spigots on stands. Never bother with pole cross bars... waste of time.......

 

[Raptor Mike]

So just get the light stands? Then use wood as the crossbar?

 

[Daryl]

The backdrops ore on ali poles. I used two pieces of fence hammered into each end

 

[BigJohn]

The backdrops ore on ali poles. I used two pieces of fence hammered into each end

So do you unroll it all to start with ? I've always unwound it a little at a time and when I've pulled off the required amount clamped the roll to stop the rest unwinding . The wood in the ends seems like a better method than trusting the cross bar to hold the weight .

 

[WelshNoob]

If I'm lighting the background with 2 speedlites, what would be the best modifier to use on the flashes or would bare speedlites be a better option?

 

[Daryl]

Id never use speedlites for large port shoots... monoblocs much more control.

Big john. 2 wood blocks in each end you roll out what ever amount you need and they act as a lock as well as holding the bg in place.

 

[WelshNoob]

Id never use speedlites for large port shoots... monoblocs much more control.

I would use monoblocs but I don't own any so it's not going to be possible.

 

[Daryl]

Do some test shots before hand and set flash guns to manual.

 

[WelshNoob]

Do some test shots before hand and set flash guns to manual.

Yes, they'll all be manual. Bare or with modifiers on though? I'm thinking bare with the wide angle flap down?

 

[Daryl]

Don't mention Flaps.

you will need to soft boxes or reflectors for Key lights.... We use half cone reflectors at one stop above subject setting to light the bg..... Not sure what the measure would be on flashguns

 

[WelshNoob]

Don't mention Flaps.

you will need to soft boxes or reflectors for Key lights.... We use half cone reflectors at one stop above subject setting to light the bg..... Not sure what the measure would be on flashguns

No flap love Daryl? Modifiers for the key lights are sorted.

 

[Cistron]

No flap love Daryl? Modifiers for the key lights are sorted.

Just have a search for Zack Arias and white background. He has 3 or 4 informative blog posts with all the details you'll need. Unless you are outside, I don't see a reason why it shouldn't work with flash-guns.

The problem with the wide-angle lens on the flashgun: you'll have to move them close to avoid spill, thus more light fall off. It's a balancing act of feathering.

Best to get your foreground exposure set and then dial in the blinkies on the background. Feather the lights across to opposite sides to get it fairly even.