Lighting

Hello, I am new to studio photography and I am about to purchase a vinyl background in white. I am choosing vinyl because the creases in cotton muslin would drive me nuts.

I wondered if someone could tell me about paper backgrounds? Is vinyl a better option?
Could someone also help me with my lighting set up? I have 2 x 400w Lastolites and 1 x Jessops hot shoe flash. Would the Jessops flash be enough to light up the background if it was on full power?

Paper is cheaper and lighter... Vinyl more durable...

I have a 6m x 3m white muslin... 'most' of the creases can be controlled in post and by blowing out the background with flash...

In my opinion, no the jessops flash won't have the power to really blow it out... However, you're in a better position than me with the 2 400watters (I only have 2 hotshoe flashes)...

Do you have anything to spread your light? (umbrellas etc even a stoffen on a hotshoe flash can work reasonably well)
Modifiers are a good thing.

I'd use one of the 400's to light subject, one to light background(or rear of subject perhaps) and the hotshoe as a fill-only when required...

I guessing your 400's are fired via a wireless trigger set-up... You should be able to fire the hotshoe-flash in slave mode...

Using flash off-camera in general is going to take a fair bit of experimentation to get the results you want... Those results or the 'look' may not be the results I (or others) would want... Experiment lots and find light you like... Funtimes...

Ha!! You're in Bradford too!!

Get some of those plastic crocodile clips from the pound shop and clip the Muslin to the stands

Thanks for the reply. I do have a stand and umbrella set for the jessops flash. It is one of those tilt and swivel ones, I don't know the model number because I cba to get off my backside and look ha.
I wanted the vinyl because it is going to be in my small front room that is carpeted and thought paper would not be good on a soft floor. Plus I can wipe it clean. I found a 2.9m by 6m vinyl background for £65 delivered with a heavy duty support for £40.
When it comes I will mess about with it a lot. I don't like to use my flash too much though because I worry about the lifespan that Lastolite agent told me about on the phone!
Ha yes, I am up in Allerton! Nice to see another Pentax user in Bradford, I am tired of seeing bloody canon 5D's!

I have read it is only good like that if you leave it up permanently? This isn't an option as I live in a small town house so I need to be able to put it away. I worked with a photographer who had a cotton muslin background and went nuts everytime he used it.

I hear you but it IS deffo easier to pack-up and stored and the more you darken (using inverse square) the less of an issue

Check out my 'Leap' set on flickr (although I did use gallery spots as well as my 2 hotshoe flashes) ... creases can be seen in the corners of the 'white' background more than the 'gray' ones (same white muslin)

cabstar. Check your spelling and edit!!!!!
CHEERS Vic.

It's this iPads spell checker, it changes the simplest words etc...

I've edited it for you.

Thanks John

Without knowing the output of your Vivitar it is hard to say but if you use it with a brolly you might find the brolly getting in shot. DaveHolmes first post is good advice. I use two Pentax AF400T guns for background lighting on Calumet backlight stands link

Whether you are using paper, vinyl or muslin, you can overexpose the background to eliminate any marks and it gives quite a good backlight into the bargain.

The iPad's spellchecker is my greatest enema

Ken. Using your AF400T flashes. Did you ever get that Vivitar V510 power pack to work?
CHEERS Vic.
Spell check. Vic.

you can look for an end of roll sheet of vinyl flooring with a smooth back and a roll of latex paint for a bacdrop if you have sturdy stands.. it is easier to repaint it white then clean after a long shoot....