Which background is best out of these options and why ?

GR3Z

GR3Z

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Graeme
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I'm after advice on which background to go for, I'm after advice from someone who's had experience working the various types.. The background is going to be put away after every shoot as it for a home studio in my lounge I will be using two 8x4 white tileboards for the floor... A few concerns I have using the paper option is how easy it to roll the paper back up without wrecking it, and if people are walking all over it does it tear easy and get dirty real quick.. One of the advantages i can think of will be if I decide to not use the tileboards the extra length will be good to get the seemless white look..

My concerns with the second option is that my bg stands is only 2.85 wide and the bg is 3x3, can they be cut down and will they Frey if I do... The advantages I can think of with this option is that it's more durable... Shame it's not 3x6m

What it like using vinyl does it reflect more and what is this two in one vinyl like, has anybody used it and could I just saw some off the end as its 2.9 wide to fit my bg. Does need vinyl need more flash power that the other options as I'm using multiple speedlites at the mo, but will be upgrading to studio strobes in the future hopfully

Here are my options that I'm looking at

http://www.karlu.com/lastolite-paper-roll-272-11m-white-p-7941.html

http://www.lencarta.com/lighting-st...s-supports-1/white-3x3m-heavy-duty-background

http://www.xlstudiolighting.co.uk/Studio-Backgrounds/High-Low-Key-Vinyl-Backgrounds


Thanks in advanced hope this makes sense :)
 
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I think the idea with paper is you can trim it when it gets dirty/creased.

Most paper roll can be cut down (width) with a hacksaw (when rolled up, obviously).

What width do you need? Depending on colour, you can probably get 1.5 metre.

I'll let someone else answer on reflectivity (and weight?) in the case of vinyl

FYI a range of widths here

http://www.photography-backgrounds.co.uk/vmchk/Photography-Background-Papers.html

WRT cutting:

http://www.photography-backgrounds....ativity-Backgrounds/Can-the-rolls-be-cut.html
 
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I've cut vinyl down and it's really not a problem. The roll was much harder to cut than the aluminium pole it was on but it's mainly friction. Worst case spray some silicon lube on the saw.

Vinyls vary a lot - I bought the most expensive kind Viewfinder have (600 gsm?) and it is pretty good.
 
There is no perfect answer to a white background... you have to work out which is the least worst answer for you and use that.

Vinyl is the least forgiving with light, but use Snell's law, and keep the angle of your background lighting onto the background fairly obtuse and you will minimise problems with reflection. Also try and keep the light in the same plane as the camera.

Paper is cheap... Lux S currently £29.70+VAT for 2.72x11, but fragile for full length work, but much lighter to handle and set up on a background system than vinyl.... and a bit more forgiving with light.
 
I've decided to go for the paper option 2.72x11m, I've got a few question I'd like to ask before I purchase , how easy is it to roll the paper back up and does it it come in protective cardboard tube, so I can store it behide the sofa when not in use? As regards for it being fragile I'm using tileboards for the flooring so the paper will hopefully no walked on to much.
 
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easy to roll back up.

Store it vertically if possible rather than horizontal, it's meant to stop it from distorting and rippling in storage.
 
itsdavedotnet said:
easy to roll back up.

Store it vertically if possible rather than horizontal, it's meant to stop it from distorting and rippling in storage.
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Not an option as I need to store it out of site behide the sofa when not in use and my concern is do they come in tubing so when i put it away the dust doesn't wreck it when stored
 
if not goto your local carpet store they may have long cardboard tubes from centre of some carpets they can let you have.
 
See this thread http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=364607 and consider Creativity paper from Castle Hill to save yourself a few quid.

I bought some last week and it came wrapped in polythene and then a cardboard shipping box. End of the shoot we cut off a few feet which had heel marks on it, rerolled it and put it back in the plastic and box. I say "we"....mainly it was Jeremy.....
 
GR3Z said:
I've decided to go for the paper option 2.72x11m, I've got a few question I'd like to ask before I purchase , how easy is it to roll the paper back up and does it it come in protective cardboard tube, so I can store it behide the sofa when not in use? As regards for it being fragile I'm using tileboards for the flooring so the paper will hopefully no walked on to much.
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Still not decided been having a rethink, What about muslin whats the pro's and cons against using paper.
 
GR3Z said:
Still not decided been having a rethink, What about muslin whats the pro's and cons against using paper.
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don't even bother with muslin unless you ONLY want pure white or pure black. And even then, I wouldn't bother. Paper's where it's at.
 
I say "we"....mainly it was Jeremy.....
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Mainly..?

I use vinyls all the time. For me, much better and far more durable than paper.

The main downside is the weight.
 
Lol

It was a good day actually, and I have a portrait of myself holding a meter.

Yay !!!
 
GR3Z said:
I went with paper in the end, had a go with it today, and first impressions are good, I'd say compared to the white felt like fabric I was using before, I don't need to have my strobes on as high power to blow it out which is a plus :)
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Where did you purchase it from?
 
Don't forget to check the drapers for "curtain liners".

I usually pick up 8x30' for about £10 when they near the end of a roll, I have fifteen different colours (and NET curtains are superb wedding backdrops) and the whole lot has cost no more than £70.
 
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