Backdrop Configuration and Thick Black/White Backdrops

[Shaun Hill]

Hello there, can someone please recommend the cheapest way of getting a portable set for portrait photography?

I need something thick so it doesn't tear, something which is proper white with no blue tinges and just about the right size for taking photos of 1-2 people standing (bearing in mine there are people I know who are 6"5). I've currently got a clothes rail which I have modified, so it goes up to 180cm and is 180cm wide. When I looked at the size of backdrops I realised this wouldn't be big enough (and possibly strong enough).

Any suggestions or links would be appreciated. I don't even really want anything new if it is going to save me a few quid.

 

[Paul Lange]

I have some cotton sheeting as it is cheap and is about 3 meters wide. It is a little thin but I have it in black and red and put these sheets behind it, or I hang it on a wall or across the top of the curtains. However I saw something in Libya but guess you can buy it here but I don't know for how much. It was a large white matt vinyl sheet that had a promotional banner printed on one side. Possible this could be purchased in small quantities from a printers maybe.

 

[Shaun Hill]

Where did you get the cotton sheeting from? Do you have problems with it creasing IS it heavy enough to not be a pain in getting a seamless curve when it hits the floor?

I don't know about the vinyl...

 

[Paul Lange]

I bought the fabric at my local market for about £3.50/meter. I also bought a length of plastic waste pipe from B&Q for about £2.50 and after ironing the central crease out (the fabric comes folded in half I taped it to the pipe and rolled it up. I bought a couple of lightweight flash stands and sometimes just unroll the fabric and then clip the pipe to the flash stands. Not the most sturdiest but it does stay up and it is quite compact for storage. You can buy plastic DIY clips on ebay really cheaply and I use these to clip the fabric to the uprights of the stands. This provides some tension on the fabric keeping it nice and flat.

The real key is to have the backdrop as far away as possible from the subject and use the largest aperture possible to keep it blurred. Also you can use a flash behind the subject to illuminate the backdrop. This will make sure it is exposed as white and will wash out minor creases etc.

It's all very kitchen sink type of stuff but it does work.

 

[Shaun Hill]

Do you have any photos of the set-up?

 

[Paul Lange]

I dont unfortunately.

 

[Shaun Hill]

What other alternatives are there which are cheap?

 

[Paul Lange]

None that I know of. Have you tried going to your local haberdashery?

 

[Chris Dodkin]

I think Paul just about covered the DIY angle

I did the same, but with black fake velvet material from the local market.

The black was very good at absorbing light for portrait work - and I kept it rolled on a large cardboard tube, and hung it from lighting stands.

Sample shot below:

Otherwise you're looking at a manufactured product - much more pro, but much more dosh

Some models from a UK based online store: Backdrop with a Stand

 

[Shaun Hill]

Yeah, guess I'm going to have to save up the pennies. Then studio lighting starts to get expensive.. Desperately want to get into product/model photography in studio conditions (but at home).

Any recommendations?

 

[Pete Askew]

Maybe have a look at the S/H market. For example, the Quadmatic kit here would take you a long way are are excellent units.

SECOND-HAND DARKROOM SUPPLIES -

 

[Shaun Hill]

Maybe have a look at the S/H market. For example, the Quadmatic kit here would take you a long way are are excellent units.

SECOND-HAND DARKROOM SUPPLIES -

They look great, but almost £500... I wish I had the money at the moment! That combined with buying 2-3 backdrops, two light stands and cross bar for holding backdrops.

 

[Kev Pugh]

Shaun Visit Dunhelm in Blackpole, their prices are very reasonable and they have great selection of materials including white vinyl, I have some and use it in conjunction with a backdrop support, it works but it is slightly reflective so you have to bear that in mind when setting up..

Worth a visit, also the Curtain and Fabric Shop in Castle Street they to have a great selection and good prices too...

 

[Shaun Hill]

Like this? Buy Clear PVC Online | Fabric | Dunelm Mill

I presume you use the underside rather than the glossy side?

 

[Kev Pugh]

Like this? Buy Clear PVC Online | Fabric | Dunelm Mill

I presume you use the underside rather than the glossy side?

Not Clear PVC that I use Shaun, a visit is often better than an isearch

 

[Shaun Hill]

I thought about it earlier today but didn't in the end. It's only really going to be wide enough for product photography and face shots. It's a start for approx. £6.50 though.

 

[Dan Cattermole]

It's a start though......
Adam Hoskins may have a few recommendations to add (if he stumbles across this thread that is) lol

 

[Shaun Hill]

I got 4 metres of the white sheeting from Dunelm. You use the shiny side? How do you avoid reflection etc?

 

[Kev Pugh]

I always make sure that I shoot with the background metered two stops up from the subject and ensure that the background lights are covering as much of the background as possible.

Usual set up for me hikey

Subject metered f8

Background f11 - f16 at the middle of the shoot area.

Two BG lights set to 45 Degrees approx
One plus light for Subject depending on what I'm after..