Vinyl backgrounds - Where to buy? Also, HiLite questions.

cambsno

cambsno

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Simon
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Use a couple of collapsable backgrounds but looking at vinyl. One of mine has no train but ideal in tight spaces, other is good, but impossible to keep train smooth and also a bit big for some locations.

Like the fact vinyl is hard to crease or damage but as I shoot in homes canny have a huge one. Have only seen 2.5m plus widths or 1.1m. Looking for 1.5m at least, ideally 1.8m. Any ideas where to buy?

A highlite could be ideal, but does if havd to be lit from sides. I just feel many of the shots I see are just too bright. Can it be lit say with one studio flash at the front (maybe using background reflector) ? Also, do you have to mess around in PS to blend train in or is it fairly seamless like a collapsable or vinyl one?
 
Ebay, then just cut it down I think Is your best bet, can get 2x6m roll for £80 thats what I got couple weeks back.
 
Can see me ballsing that up!!! 2m would be fine, but couldnt see one on ebay.
 
Thanks Ray, out of stock in white till mid Nov though.
 
I just located 2m x whatever length white vinyl at JYSK only about £2.50 per metre. I have been trying it out today and it seems fine...
 
Ahhh. Would be useful for corporate headshots.

Their site shows vinyl in 140cm, not 2m. Am I missing something?
 
Hmmm, Im up North next week.

Shall have to call in on them.

Even 1.4m would be useful.
 
I've heard that vinyl can reflect a bit, won't this cause problems?
 
gman said:
I've heard that vinyl can reflect a bit, won't this cause problems?
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i have no problems it gives a nice shadow on the floor.
this was with vinyl
SJB_2695.jpg

as was this.
md26.jpg
 
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Nice one, looks good. When you say shadow, do you mean reflection?
 
Comes out well!
 
Right heres a shot with the JYSK vinyl background (first attempt at high key so will post it elsewhere on the forum - this is just for BG!)

Could be 1.4m not certain should measure really!

5108657372_eb3efe43f1.jpg
[/url]
Hi Key 0001 by rob.richards, on Flickr[/IMG]
 
nikonuser said:
Simon - have you received your vinyl backdrop yet and if so, what do you think of the quality
Dave
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Should be due to arrive on Monday, unfortunately I am out all day so every chance this latest purchase will push wife over the edge and dump it in the wheelie bin!
 
Had a play with mine at home on Sat and then for a client shoot on Sunday.

Issue I had both times was getting it lit properly, due to a serious lack of space in my lounge. Could not light using background reflector, so had a stand and softbox balanced on a sofa and a brolly on the floor. At clients, again, limited space so similar setup but was able to at least put softbox on the floor.

Vinyl seems ok, although 1.6m really is not wide enough for more than 2 people, 2m better, ideally 2.5m (but how many people have space in their houses for that?). It does crease and mark but dont appear to show in the pictures, will ned to clean it as dye from jeans has left some marks. Much better than fabric pop up as the train does not crease up.
 
i use clear perspex on top of mine for the flooring,
and to light it you do need lots of room, the only other way is p&p,
lighting also depends on if just portrait or full body shot. the other way is to buy a lastolite hilite not cheap but works great and you dont need ots of room and the subject can stand right next to the backround..
 
I've got 2x6m vinyl from Bessel. I totally agree that there is a space concern, especially when using stands for support. At home I have used my existing curtain pole as a support and suspended the background cross bar from that using a couple of ball bungees at each end. With no stands in the way it reduces my width requirement and means the vinyl can be about as far towards the edge of the room as possible, thus maximising room to light and shoot.

20101101_134107_1079_LR.jpg


20101101_134119_1080_LR.jpg
 
scottthehat said:
tim does the patio doors help with blowing the vinyl.
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No, not at all. For starters the doors face north, so no direct sunlight, ever, and assuming an exposure in the region of 100 ISO, 1/125 and f/8, here's what the scene looks like during the daytime....

White background raised....

20101101_141727_6116_LR.jpg


White background lowered (~half way to floor)....

20101101_141752_6117_LR.jpg


I suppose an interesting thought would be that on a dry day I could potentially backlight the vinyl with lighting out in the garden, although just how much power I'd need I have no idea. I do have 2X600Ws I could use, leaving me 2X400Ws for subject lighting.

Another thought I've had, again only suited to dry (and warm) weather would be to place the background on stands at the other end of the room and, if I needed plenty of distance, for shooting full length, I could actually open the patio doors and shoot from the garden.
 
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tdodd said:
I've got 2x6m vinyl from Bessel. I totally agree that there is a space concern, especially when using stands for support. At home I have used my existing curtain pole as a support and suspended the background cross bar from that using a couple of ball bungees at each end. With no stands in the way it reduces my width requirement and means the vinyl can be about as far towards the edge of the room as possible, thus maximising room to light and shoot.

20101101_134107_1079_LR.jpg


20101101_134119_1080_LR.jpg
Click to expand...


Do you have an issue with the light from the doors behind?

I took some photo's of the kids using a white throw in a similar setup and the windows gave odd colourings.

Thanks

Nick
 
Tractor Boy said:
Do you have an issue with the light from the doors behind?

I took some photo's of the kids using a white throw in a similar setup and the windows gave odd colourings.

Thanks

Nick
Click to expand...

No. See post 31. The outdoor light has zero effect, at least when intending to light the subject and background with strobes. Here's a recent example, shot during the day, where I lit subject and background each with a single Speedlite. This was shot at 1/125, f/9, 100 ISO. I think the Speedlites were on 1/2 power, certainly not more...

20101020_145515_6107_LR.jpg
 
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Sorry for that by the time the internet had finally caught up you had already posted - flamin internet!!
 
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