Projector screen as a background...?

D_Fivehundred

D_Fivehundred

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Have no idea whether it would work, but was wondering if a retractable "traditional" slide or projector screen would provide a suitable white background for head and shoulder type portrait shots?

Has anyone ever used one?

Not sure what the surface finish is like, but I can't imagine it being too shiny!?

Would be interested in peoples thoughts on this as a portable / retractable solution!

Cheers all :)
 
I think that's a great idea :thumbs:

If you could get a really big sheet of it, I wonder if it might make a highly reflective train?

Edit: just googled this - screen fabric 183cm wide, £37 per meter http://www.drhscreens.co.uk/store/screen-fabric.php Not cheap, but if it does the job?
 
what makes the best train, matt, satin or laquer type finish>?
 
I've used one in a pinch before, worked great for head/upper body shots :)
 
Hmm perhaps there's some mileage in this then.

I was thinking of something like... this

Might keep a look out for a good second hand screen to play with :)
 
Hmm, thanks Neil, I must admit I've not seen one for years so have no idea... I wasn't sure if they'd be matt or satin to reduce reflections.

Oh well, was worth a try (might still keep an eye open though)
 
I've seen a projector used to project abstract images onto a nude. :)

Not sure you would get enough brightness from the projector or where you would site it to ensure you got even illumination while staying out of shot?

Got to be worth some experimentation though. :)
 
Alison, I was just thinking of the projector screen itself, using either a studio light or my SB600 to illuminate it :)
 
Projector screens have different surfaces. There are 'beaded' screens (as I recall) that had a very high reflectance but only from a narrowed viewing angle. Silver screens too.

For basic head and shoulders stuff I know they will be fine - used to use them myself, as most people did. What I think is more interesting is the potential for creating a white train/floor for the pure white look. It may or may not work, but would certainly be rather delicate - not for high heels ;)
 
Thanks for the input folks... on the basis my "studio" has to be packed away when not in use, I think I'll look into this over the coming weeks/months :)
 
sorry to be a pain, but what is the preferred finish, matt, satin or laquer? I know that flooring can be laquer, but are satin or matt any use?
 
Hmm, not sure... I would have though matt would be better to stop unwanted reflections?
 
Worth mentioning white Ikea Tupplur roller blinds. They have a matt slightly textured finish and were available in 2M / 140cm width. I've not tried them but seen them recommended as projector screens in AV forums.
Not sure as to their current availability but they were £22 from what i remember.

http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/20123986
 
I bought a 8ft wide roller blind from a DIY shop for £30 :)
 
I have an ikea tupplor rollerblind which I use as my home cinema projector screen :D

I did try playing around with it as a bg for photography. Issues I was having was lighting it uniformily. If you want high key, it will hot spot unless you use multiple flashes / strobes. To get it peaking all over the screen or the frame of my photo, I had to blast a fair amount of light to the point that wrap became an issue, although my small lounge with brightly coloured walls doesn't help!

If you want a more selective lighting, using a grid or something, I reckon it would work really well though!

Normal OHP screens tend to be more reflective and have a higher gain. So you'll get even more hotspotting / brightness on axis quickly dropping as soon as you move off axis.
 
I too have used one loads of times for head/upper body shots, I have also covered it in a brown velvet throw as well & it looks pretty good.
Go for it I say.
 
D_Ninety said:
I was thinking of something like... this

Might keep a look out for a good second hand screen to play with :)
Click to expand...

To be honest while the idea is good, wouldn't you be better off paying a bit extra and getting one of these HERE built for the job, and also the benefit of one side white and the other black, these are ideal for just head and shoulder shots, and can be folded away in minutes :)
 
TG. said:
To be honest while the idea is good, wouldn't you be better off paying a bit extra and getting one of these HERE built for the job, and also the benefit of one side white and the other black, these are ideal for just head and shoulder shots, and can be folded away in minutes :)
Click to expand...

Hmm, they actually look quite good :) and folding down to a 2' circle is good too, my only concern would be whether the background would be creased after it had been unused for a long time. Still, thanks for the link, have you used them yourself?
 
i use a roller blind for my product shots. Pinned to wall when needed. rolled over a pasting table. perfect to take down when needed.
 
D_Ninety said:
Hmm, they actually look quite good :) and folding down to a 2' circle is good too, my only concern would be whether the background would be creased after it had been unused for a long time. Still, thanks for the link, have you used them yourself?
Click to expand...

I have the larger one HERE although mine is permantly hanging up, i would say the creasing wouldn't be a problem as they kind of spring out and stretch when you open them up if you get my drift, and thats with the large one i have, i seen the smaller ones sometime back and they work exactly the same, but because of the smaller area you don't notice any bigger creases, you may get some tiny creases but if you blow the background enough these will disappear anyway :)
 
seen the projector screens at car boot for about a fiver
 
There was a Californian guy doing a 365 on Flickr that got a lot of coverage on the blogs earlier this year who I remember using a projector screen as a backdrop a lot. He was a bokeh freak and did lots of strobist off-camera stuff. When I find him I'll put up a link. (sorry, not the most helpful post in its current state!)

Ha! Found him. Dustin Diaz: http://www.flickr.com/photos/polvero/3602404686/in/set-72157615873440953/
 
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ianmarsh said:
There was a Californian guy doing a 365 on Flickr that got a lot of coverage on the blogs earlier this year who I remember using a projector screen as a backdrop a lot. He was a bokeh freak and did lots of strobist off-camera stuff. When I find him I'll put up a link. (sorry, not the most helpful post in its current state!)

Ha! Found him. Dustin Diaz: http://www.flickr.com/photos/polvero/3602404686/in/set-72157615873440953/
Click to expand...

Dustin Diaz - the guy with a projector screen! Love it! :D

He's a friggin genius with a flash gun and a fast lens. Some amazing stuff here http://www.flickr.com/photos/polvero/sets/72157623118289866/with/3600193048/
 
My wife just had her hair done and was trying to take a picture of it with her iPhone.

Nipped upstairs, pulled the projector screen down, set up my two Nissin Flashes and had an impromptu portrait session!
Havent edited them yet, but they look ok for a first time. The background seems fine, just my lack of experience at lighting that has let the subject lighting down a bit, still a bit too harsh for my liking.
 
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