Michael Batten
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Are there any advantages one over the other?
Vinyl, Paper or Cloth backdrops for portraits
- Thread starter Michael Batten
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Apart from the obvious you mean?
Cost, cleaning, creases and of course the look of the surface texture and it's colour, don't see how anyone can answer this for you tbh depends on what you want/need from the background in the circumstance surely?
Cost, cleaning, creases and of course the look of the surface texture and it's colour, don't see how anyone can answer this for you tbh depends on what you want/need from the background in the circumstance surely?
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Michael Batten
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I didn't realise that I needed to be so specific. Sometimes general questions only need general answers.
You could have said that vinyl is cheap and readily available but not durable, paper is middle price and gives better back ground texture and cloth is most expensive, gives best texture but prone to creasing but saying "Apart from the obvious" is always helpful!
Specifically, I mean for headshot portraits, budget isn't really an issue.
You could have said that vinyl is cheap and readily available but not durable, paper is middle price and gives better back ground texture and cloth is most expensive, gives best texture but prone to creasing but saying "Apart from the obvious" is always helpful!
Specifically, I mean for headshot portraits, budget isn't really an issue.
GreenNinja67
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My answer was general.
Your response does highlight why you felt the need to ask though, as you appear to already know all the answers you were asking for, albeit I personally would not have described them so. One of the points of background choice is using the correct one for the circumstance, including if you need to travel to do your head shot or the location environment etc these factors will also affect your choices, we have no knowledge of your intent from post 1, do you use a studio, drive (how big is your car, can it take 3m rolls, stands etc) or catch a bus? Is your client wanting shots on location, size of location etc etc and that before deciding on textures, colours etc.
Btw vinyl is pretty durable, and no one here can tell you the best texture or colours/patterns for your shot that you are planning and taking, that should be down to you and your client.
If you want the simple answer you should buy a range of all types and sizes in various colours and patterns and use accordingly, can't get more general than that really but still don't see that as an answer to the actual question you posed in first post.
The advantages of one over the other? Not obvious? You asked presumably as you didn't know, you then respond with your own list of what I could have said?
If you wanted your own opinion why ask here?
Not being arsey just fail to see what you found so objectionable to my advice, that's all it was, take it or leave it up to you but to criticise with telling me what I could have said? Nah, not worth more time tbh. Hope you get the advice you want to hear...
Your response does highlight why you felt the need to ask though, as you appear to already know all the answers you were asking for, albeit I personally would not have described them so. One of the points of background choice is using the correct one for the circumstance, including if you need to travel to do your head shot or the location environment etc these factors will also affect your choices, we have no knowledge of your intent from post 1, do you use a studio, drive (how big is your car, can it take 3m rolls, stands etc) or catch a bus? Is your client wanting shots on location, size of location etc etc and that before deciding on textures, colours etc.
Btw vinyl is pretty durable, and no one here can tell you the best texture or colours/patterns for your shot that you are planning and taking, that should be down to you and your client.
If you want the simple answer you should buy a range of all types and sizes in various colours and patterns and use accordingly, can't get more general than that really but still don't see that as an answer to the actual question you posed in first post.
The advantages of one over the other? Not obvious? You asked presumably as you didn't know, you then respond with your own list of what I could have said?
If you wanted your own opinion why ask here?
Not being arsey just fail to see what you found so objectionable to my advice, that's all it was, take it or leave it up to you but to criticise with telling me what I could have said? Nah, not worth more time tbh. Hope you get the advice you want to hear...
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Michael Batten
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My answer was only what I could hazard a guess at rather than any actual knowledge hence why I asked about advantages of one over the other.
Bobsyeruncle
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I've used paper for years. It can get tatty, but I tear some off and it's as good as new again
Vinyl I've heard can be heavy, but can be wiped clean etc.
Cloth is light, but creases.
Vinyl I've heard can be heavy, but can be wiped clean etc.
Cloth is light, but creases.
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Phil V
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Cloth is cheap, easy to store and a pain in the bum to get the greases out, also OK for keeping up permanently, less useful for floors as washing it is a pain.
Paper is the best value, lighter to transport, able to be cleaned for light marks and heavier damage just gets removed.
Vinyl is heavy, easy to clean
The use of any of them requires a little care for their weaknesses, and often a board underneath esp when used on carpet
Paper is the best value, lighter to transport, able to be cleaned for light marks and heavier damage just gets removed.
Vinyl is heavy, easy to clean
The use of any of them requires a little care for their weaknesses, and often a board underneath esp when used on carpet
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Michael Batten
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When using paper rolls, do you need to get it taut?
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Bobsyeruncle
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I roll mines out so it has a gradual curve from the wall to the floor.
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I will always choose paper over anything else, as long as I have the space. The only time I'd go to fabric is when using a collapsible bg, where space is limited and/or I'm travelling on site.
Sharky
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Suspend on autopoles / stand with crossbar then a £10 metal rod on the bottom attached using spring clamps (you can never have enough of them). They do make paper clip weights to that do a similar job but i like my diy efforts (cheaper). With paper depending upon your use you can double the life of it by hack sawing through a portion of it. One smaller piece for headshots etc. and the wider one for couples / families (squeezed in close). Makes for transporting easier too but you do lose the flexibility of a wide expanse for larger groups or creative pulled back shots.