Keeping background clean + background advice

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elliotedwards

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Hi everyone.

First post here. :wave:

Anyway, I've got a colourama polar white background and I keep having problems with it.
Models ALWAYS end up dirtying it after one shoot. The thing looks like it has been working in the mines.

When im shooting, I end up having small but visible smudges on the ground.
Ideally I dont want to be sitting there in post clearing it all up, especially if i've got some kind of gradient/shadows that are deliberate but dirty.

How can I get around this?


Also, ive been told to stick to colourama backgrounds, is that correct or can I go for cheaper ones?
Im after a 3.7m smoke grey and a smaller blue one, and their just so expensive for a student.

One more thing, how can these be posted/collect courrier. Every company i've seen wont accept a 3.7m tube.
Even UPS, despite my 3.7 white one getting delivered by themselves. (I think!)
 
They do get dirty, it's hard to avoid that. A lot of people have changed to vinyl for that reason.

Just get yourself some matt white spray paint. It's a lot cheaper than a roll of paper.

Colorama is the brand leader, I'm not sure that it's much different to anything else.
 
So basically I could spray over the marks? I only can seem to find rustoleum paints, would those work?

I have heard a bit about vinyl being super clean. But im guessing the control of light would be out of control.
Brilliant for High key but not so good when you want to get creative Im guessing.

Do you have any recommendations for vinyl backdrops, will I get away with a cheap generic one or will I need to shell out for a "branded" one?
 
Matt white spray paint from a car accessory shop.

The cheap vinyl sold on Ebay etc isn't usually designed for photographic use, it's often too thin too hang correctly and too shiny for photography, so IMO it's worth spending more to get something that actually works. Light control is light control, the material isn't particularly relevant. If you want to creative, white is a pretty bad choice anyway - grey is much more versatile.
 
I've been having the same problem with my paper backdrop. I do a bit of pet photography and as well as dirty paw prints, their claws keep ripping the paper which is causing me to spend quite a bit of time editing. Do I've decided to switch to vinyl. It's more expensive but I'm hoping it'll last a lot longer and will be easier to clean so will be worth the extra expense in the long run.

If you're interested in changing to vinyl I'd have a look at bessel. There's quite a few threads on vinyl options and they get good reviews. I've recently been in contact with them about a customised sized vinyl and I have to say their customer service is excellent, can't do enough to help.
 
Used both paper & vinyls, for image quality would pick paper every time though its a consumable product.

The cost of cutting off the 2m of dirty paper after a shoot is probably more cost efficient than spending the time editing

For high throughput like event photography vinyl is my preference as clients seem les worried about a perfect background.
 
Having not used vinyl before I assumed a white vinyl would still be quite easy to light and crease less easily thus blugging a more even background. Just out of interest is there a reason why you find paper produces a better background over vinyl?
 
fwells2 said:
Having not used vinyl before I assumed a white vinyl would still be quite easy to light and crease less easily thus blugging a more even background. Just out of interest is there a reason why you find paper produces a better background over vinyl?
Click to expand...

The sheen on vinyls tends to show up any imperfection - so shooting a single model for 1/2 a day paper.
Setting up a studio at an event with 1000+ guests vinyl will stand up a lot better.
I do tend to shoot a lot on grey & so don't want to burn out the background.
 
fwells2 said:
Having not used vinyl before I assumed a white vinyl would still be quite easy to light and crease less easily thus blugging a more even background. Just out of interest is there a reason why you find paper produces a better background over vinyl?
Click to expand...

There's a really nice matt quality to a high key background on paper that you don't get with vinyl. But then vinyl is more practical for dog shoots, so that would be my preference for those kind of shoots.
 
Anyone used or know how good the quality of the Bessel vinyl backdrops are after prolonged use? Was thinking of getting there white/grey double sided heavy duty for kids and pets and sticking with paper for less taxing shoots!
 
saracenhouse said:
There's a really nice matt quality to a high key background on paper that you don't get with vinyl. But then vinyl is more practical for dog shoots, so that would be my preference for those kind of shoots.
Click to expand...

Ah great, thanks for that. Just wanted to clarify before spending £160 on a new vinyl and finding out it's no good!
 
SpikeB said:
The sheen on vinyls tends to show up any imperfection - so shooting a single model for 1/2 a day paper.
Setting up a studio at an event with 1000+ guests vinyl will stand up a lot better.
I do tend to shoot a lot on grey & so don't want to burn out the background.
Click to expand...

That makes sense. I have read reviews and seen pictures that show vinyl sometimes has more visible wrinkles. I plan on mainly blowing the background so hopefully the wrinkles won't be visible and if they are it'll be easily sorted in pp
 
Craig Jackson said:
Anyone used or know how good the quality of the Bessel vinyl backdrops are after prolonged use? Was thinking of getting there white/grey double sided heavy duty for kids and pets and sticking with paper for less taxing shoots!
Click to expand...

Having not got a vinyl I can't comment personally but there's loads of threads on vinyl backdrops. From the reading up I've done people have had their vinyl for at least a few years, someday 5 years. Suppose it depends what you use it for and how well you look after it.

I'm also looking at vinyl for pet child/newborn shoots, for the ease of cleaning I'm think it's got to be worth it in the long run rather than having to rip off the end of the paper roll after every shoot due to paw prints, rips or accidents!
 
fwells2 said:
Having not got a vinyl I can't comment personally but there's loads of threads on vinyl backdrops. From the reading up I've done people have had their vinyl for at least a few years, someday 5 years. Suppose it depends what you use it for and how well you look after it.

I'm also looking at vinyl for pet child/newborn shoots, for the ease of cleaning I'm think it's got to be worth it in the long run rather than having to rip off the end of the paper roll after every shoot due to paw prints, rips or accidents!
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly , think I'll have a punt at the bessel :thumbs:
 
Even though I haven't yet placed my order with them (plan on doing it tomorrow!) bessel's customer service has been superb, can't fault them.

Plus if you need a custom sized vinyl they'll alter the size for you free of charge. Always a bonus!
 
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