Paper roll colours

Flashman

Flashman

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Keith
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I want to try paper rolls for a change in my home studio. The room is just the right width for a 2.75m roll. I was looking at the colours HERE and wanted to ask...:

What is the difference between 'WHITE' and 'SUPER WHITE'.:shrug:

I know you can change the colour of a white background with gels but I still fancy trying a different coloured paper, something bold and vibrant perhaps, does anybody have any experience or suggestions of what complements flesh tones well?

Thanks :)
 
'White' is slightly less bright than 'Super White' but it isn't a difference that I'd lose any sleep over:lol:

You're right in saying that the colour of a white background can be changed by using gels on the lights BUT it's much better to use a neutral grey background for this, as it allows more control of saturation - grey can be overlit to give pastel shades, as if a white background was being used but if the power is turned down the colours become much more saturated and therefore more vibrant. In fact, if we want to be technical (and if we have enough lighting power) black is best of all.

Personally I've never seen the need for any background colour other than grey - with enough overexposure it becomes white, with no light on it (and enough distance between subject and background) it becomes black and with lighting gels it becomes any colour of your choice. But maybe that's just me - as a pro I can't waste money buying unnecessary colours and can't waste time changing rolls when it's so much easier to use just one.
 
Thanks Garry, As a humble amateur that sort of information is really useful. :)

There's a wide range of greys available, if I read your reply right then I want to lean towards a darker shade (ie. From the Lastolite range - Graphite)... is that right?
 
Yes, darker will give you more control.

Of course, darker will need more flash power if you want to turn it white or to get pastel shades with coloured gels.

Take a look at the Lighting Themes on photo.net http://photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00BjHh

There's one on using lighting gels but you may find the others helpful too.
 
Wow... thanks Garry!! What a mine of information there, you've sure put some work into writing those articles... Old Flashy will be studying all that very carefully!

Thanks too, Andrew, for the gels suggestion.

Flashy
 
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