Lighting sorted stuck on backdrops

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Siox

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Hi all :-)

I have a bit of a dilemma. Ive decided that im gonna buy the lencarta 3 head kit via fleabay so thats sorted and im happy with my decision.

However, my mind is in a whirl when it comes to backdrops. As it stands i have 3 choices all with pros and cons.


Choice 1 : Lastolite collapsible background (blk/white) with train

Choice 2 : Lastolite Hilite (backlit white background)

Choice 3 : Standard 9ft bg stands and a roll of white / black muslin

The above choices are compounded by a very small room. Now i know that to eliminate shadows you ideally need the model at least 6ft away from the bg, BUT does this still stand if you are lighting the backdrop (talking about choices 1 and 3 atm)

Choice 2 would be the easy choice but then im limited to bright white with no train (im aware u can get a train for this but there will be issues with lighting the train as bright as the hilite bg)


Another consideration is that choices 1 and 2 would be much more portable for taking to clients homes etc.

Anyone have any ideas or suggestions as im just goin around in circles here lol

Thanks in advance
 
The Lastolite Hilite is probably your most transportable option, although the train for it seems to be a bit of a waste of time, and some people seem to find them difficult to fold away after use.

If you want a white background then yes, you do need a fair bit of space, the more the better. Basically you need to overexpose the background by say half a stop -half a stop is just enough if you can light the background very evenly, but if you can't get the lighting even then you may need about 2 stops of overexposure - and as the intensity of light reduces over distance you need a fair amount of distance so that the intensity of the reflected light has reduced sufficiently by the time it hits the back of the subject.
There's no absolute rule about it, dark haired subjects with dark clothing are less likely to have their edges damaged by excess light than blonds wearing white tops, so less space is needed with dark subjects.

You can always shine a diffused light through a white muslin backdrop, instead of bouncing light off of it - saves both on number of lights and space.
 
Thanks for the advice Garry, I think i may indeed go for the hilite, the for time being at least.

Interesting thoughts on shining a diffused light through a white muslin background, may give that some consideration too :-)
 
If you do, I'd go for the smaller one. I bought the larger one and it is indeed a beast to fold down and to be honest is a bit large for some client's rooms.

Have fun!
 
Thanks for that Ali, funny as i was considering the larger one of the two as well :-)
 
I Tried The Larger One, Struggled To Collapse It And Sent It Back, I Also Found My Ceilings Weren't High Enough For It To Stand Up Straight, And It Kept Trying To Knock Over The Stand Holding It Up, I Would Stick To The Muslin As You Can Shorten It To Suit The Room And Height That Is Needed
 
I got the big one a while ago. Fought with it for ages to get it back in the bag the first few times but can now do it in a flash (pardon the pun)... it's just a knack! :)

Regarding size, obviously bigger is better if you have the space, you just need to measure up carefully and consider where you will be taking it. Word of warning though... it can pop open quite violently sending everything in the vicinity flying!

I've just started using paper backdrops as an alternative but the Hilite will still get a lot of use.

Flashy
 
Many thanks for the info guys, much appreciated and most definately food for thought.
Will have to put some serious thought into this i think hehe


Thanks again

Ade
 
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