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What backdrop?

sebas77
Posted 14/02/2018 - 09:20 Link
Hello,

I am building a studio in my garage, it's 3x6 meters. I guess 3 meters wide is enough for the backdrop and 6 meters (or more if I open the front door ) is enough also for full body shots.

I intend to buy these to hold the backdrops:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-Roller-Backdrop-Background-Manual-Support-System-Wa...

but I am finding difficult to find the backdrop itself. I am not sure what material to buy and how big it must be. Also I can't spend a fortune on it, especially if I am going to buy three of them. I noticed that some backdrops are double face, so I can have white and black in one, which may be convenient enough I guess.

Any suggestion?
Chrism8
Posted 14/02/2018 - 12:38 Link
I cant help on the backgrounds as I use a 3m x 5m wide white cloth bg

But I offer a few other suggestions, any lights plus softboxes you use will encroach on the width plus if you want a totally white background, you'll have to pull your subject 2m at least off the bg. You'll introduce natural light, obviously, by opening the garage door, this will affect a portrait on a black background.

The other things you may wish to consider, is enough power sockets to avoid trailing leads, insulating the roof / doors to keep any warmth in, heating the space sufficiently, security for the equipment and avoiding damp.

Chris
Chris

www.chrismillsphotography.co.uk

" A Hangover is something that occupies the Head you neglected to use the night before".

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sebas77
Posted 14/02/2018 - 15:10 Link
yes 3 meters could be a bit too much for me, so you are saying the wider the better. I guess I should look for 2.5m.

I have some experiences with flashes so I am a bit bewildered by your comment. It will never be direct sun light even if I open the whole door, it will be bouncing light, this means that the flashes should be way more powerful than that kind of lighting,
stub
Posted 14/02/2018 - 15:10 Link
depending on how many lights you own a grey backdrop is the cheapest option as it can be turned both black or white..
something like...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/STORM-GREY-Creativity-Photographic-Studio-Background-...
K-1Gripped K-1 ungripped K-5ii K7 Various lenses

Stuart..
sebas77
Posted 14/02/2018 - 15:19 Link
stub wrote:
depending on how many lights you own a grey backdrop is the cheapest option as it can be turned both black or white..
something like...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/STORM-GREY-Creativity-Photographic-Studio-Background-...

hmm I have seen backdrops double face (black and white) in vinyl for less than that price....so I guess I have to spend AT LEAST around 50 pound per background.
stub
Posted 14/02/2018 - 15:32 Link
I was just that as an example.. First one I came across. If you have found cheaper then good... Vinyl is usually more expensive but can be washed when they get covered in footprints..
l
K-1Gripped K-1 ungripped K-5ii K7 Various lenses

Stuart..
sebas77
Posted 14/02/2018 - 18:23 Link
yep, the point is that money is a crucial issue for me as I don't earn money from photography . I need to figure out the budget.
richandfleur
Posted 14/02/2018 - 18:58 Link
sebas77 wrote:
yep, the point is that money is a crucial issue for me

Fabric shop?

China?
sebas77
Posted 14/02/2018 - 20:24 Link
5x10feet is quite common, but I think too small for me? If I have to spend 50 pounds per background I will, I want just to be sure it's the range of money I will need to spend to have seamless and big enough backdrops.
davidwozhere
Posted 14/02/2018 - 23:02 Link
If you visit a good drapers shop/ asian sari fabric shop you will find more choice than you can deal with. I have been buying good quality velvet from the same shop for years (not for photography I would add). Bedsheets come in all colours, sizes and qualities (and you can wash them!). Thinking outside the box might save you some money.
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richandfleur
Posted 14/02/2018 - 23:51 Link
davidwozhere wrote:
Thinking outside the box might save you some money.

This.

I made a massive projector screen years ago using curtain block out lining fabric etc.

I have a green screen for fun with the kids from a fabric shop etc.

Good luck
sebas77
Posted 15/02/2018 - 09:52 Link
thanks a lot, but isn't the problem of fabric the creases? I have cheap fabric backdrops and I have to use photoshop to get rid of some creases.
Edited by sebas77: 15/02/2018 - 09:52
Algernon
Posted 15/02/2018 - 10:31 Link
Half Man... Half Pentax ... Half Cucumber

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Algi
sebas77
Posted 15/02/2018 - 13:18 Link
thanks that's useful
JAK
Posted 15/02/2018 - 15:09 Link
If the background is going to be against a wall, you could put up a curtain rail containing several colours of curtain and just pull across the colour you want. Might be simpler than a backdrop.
John K

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