LARGE backdrops

itsdavedotnet

itsdavedotnet

Suspended / Banned
Messages
5,864
Edit My Images
No
does anyone have any experience with large (width-wise) portable backdrop systems? I need them for largish (think, 8 -10max people) portraits.

I'm thinking 4.5-6m wide, preferably vinyl backdrop (white or black) and while ideally for full length, 3/4 length would be fine too.

For the backdrops, I'm looking at the vinyl used on the side of lorries - apparently available pretty reasonably (£7ish a metre), and nice matt white/black, but in 2.5m wide pieces - so not perfect on that account, but other than that, pretty good. I can't join two pieces together, there's no room for PP being needed as we're talking lots of fast turnaround images. I'm going to give one company a ring and see what they can do... similar tarpaulins and vinyl sheets from other companies might be the solution?

As for the stand... I'm looking at this as it's the only support system I can see larger than 4.5m... has anyone used these guys before? The 2nd google result is a thread on another forum moaning about them, but not too much :S

Anyone done anything similar / know of anywhere that sells something that meets my (kinda special...) needs?
 
You might get a better response in the lighting forum.

Sounds like a nightmare to me :eek: My only comment would be, if you give people enough space, they will fill it and I'm tempted to think that you could get 10 people on a standard 3m background and that they would look better closer together. It would also make the lighting much easier.
 
HoppyUK said:
Sounds like a nightmare to me :eek: My only comment would be, if you give people enough space, they will fill it and I'm tempted to think that you could get 10 people on a standard 3m background and that they would look better closer together. It would also make the lighting much easier.
Click to expand...

I had thought about this, and might well only order a (say) 4.5m section of the vinyl, or just fold it over or something, as otherwise, yes, I could see slightly too large a number of people getting in front at one time. However, of course, then going for white seamless full length, and you need a fair bit of extra width and height to accomodate for the fact that the subjects have got to be a bit in front of the backdrop...

fortunately, while we're obviously going for the very best quality possible, it doesn't need to be infinity cove standard...one of our competitors uses a retro nice starry background for this...*shudder*
 
itsdavedotnet said:
I had thought about this, and might well only order a (say) 4.5m section of the vinyl, or just fold it over or something, as otherwise, yes, I could see slightly too large a number of people getting in front at one time. However, of course, then going for white seamless full length, and you need a fair bit of extra width and height to accomodate for the fact that the subjects have got to be a bit in front of the backdrop...

fortunately, while we're obviously going for the very best quality possible, it doesn't need to be infinity cove standard...one of our competitors uses a retro nice starry background for this...*shudder*
Click to expand...

Punters prolly love it. Stick a star filter on it :lol:
 
I'd love to know how you get on - I shoot band promo's and normally have no choice other than to take my bowens with travelpak on location to fit in up to 7 or 8 band members - so always on the look out for sensible portable backdrops that can accomodate a whole band in mid air!
 
i have a black and a white vinyl roll they started of 3mtres wide but had to cut them down to 8ft 6in to make them more managable they are 14/15 ft long they are heavy and awkward to handle if your alone and want to roll them back up. but after saying that they are good last longer and wipe clean if your gonna use them a lot a worthwile investment but if it is the odd occasion stick to paper rolls.

i have used these 3 times from new sat gathering dust mostly due to wieght mind you it don't help having a dicky ticker.
 
I think what I really need is to find a Studio near Reading (Uk) which has a huge infinity curve and rents out by the hour including lights etc for those time I get a big band in for a shoot.
 
back on topic, a bit of a bump for 'the evening crowd' :s...

any pitfalls / suppliers that you know of, or anything? Is vinyl the best bet for hardwearing, easy to transport, backdrops?
 
Just a thought for someone enterprising - but if you could persuade those guys that manufacture stuff like bouncy castles that blow up with air to create a portable blow up studio - with a built in infinity curve that you just lay out on the floor at a venue - turn on a compressor and it blows up rigid - they could offer it in different sizes and it would be mega portable....

I'd buy one!

[edit]
I may not be completely crazy! - http://www.silberstudios.tv/blog/2009/09/24/introducing-the-inflatable-photo-booth/
 
@ Darryl - Looks awesome! Is that just one stand each end or do you have multiple sets behind? Great shots by the way. How on earth do you light such a wide area so evenly?

Off-Topic - actually I went to Wallingford School, where you are based, and only live in Reading now - so have to meet up for a natter one day...

Best
 
Daryl said:
I use 6m wide x 3m high back drops with Manfrotto stands and Manfrotto telescopic cross bars.

If you look at my site you can see the groups. Its for schools but you can see how big the back drops are.... you can get any colour/style etc

I can get a group of 36 on this size.

www.class-photos.co.uk
Click to expand...

that's cool... have you just joined the telescopic crossbeams together, or do you have another stand in the middle providing support? Do you use cloth, vinyl or other kind of backdrop? Very impressed by the lighting...do you just do the tem***t (it's probably a swear word with you :P) thing of safe 45 degrees with 2 lights, bounced through brollies, crosslighting, or something more complex?

http://www.thomann.de/gb/millenium_sls300.htm is what I'm looking at at the moment... add a couple of additional crossbeams, giving 3, 4.5 or 6m width, and the structure *should* mean it doesn't need another stand half way along, though it need be I can always use a superclamp on the top of a light stand... The dual structure stops me from using a paper roll with this setup, but vinyl, I'll take over the top beam and then use bungees through eyelets or vinyl clamps to hold it up, tied to the bottom rung I think... going to make the plunge in a couple days, will update once I've got the setup :)
 
you will need 3 stands to do 6 metres. It will get dangerous without middle stand. Heavy cross poles land on your subjects and you are in a lot trouble...

I do use white vinyl but gets really heavy..........


Those groups were taken with one Bowens 500 head with large chrome brolly. Use 2 at 45' and you get cross shadows..... on the bg.
 
cheers for the help, 3 stands it is... I wasn't at all sure of 2 stands for the full 6m span, I gotta admit...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top