MicrostockGroup
Microstock Photography Forum - General => Photography Equipment => Lighting => Topic started by: jsolie on August 17, 2008, 01:13
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I've got a question about the backgrounds used for isolations. I know that a lot of people like to use paper, and others use some type of plastic (vinyl, formica, etc). Is there a clear cut advantage of using these materials over something like a high-key muslin?
I'm not talking about doing an isolation for small items, I've got that covered. I'm thinking of something more like for full-length body shots, larger items, or items where it'd be easier to do the isolation in camera rather than spending hours with the pen tool.
Thanks!
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There is also the Lastolite Hi-lite to consider.
http://www.lastolite.com/hilite-backgrounds.php (http://www.lastolite.com/hilite-backgrounds.php)
You should read a few of Zack Arias's posts on shooting on white. Very, very good reading. I added several links to him on one blog post:
http://microstockjunction.com/2008/05/09/zack-arias-on-shooting-on-white-seamless.aspx (http://microstockjunction.com/2008/05/09/zack-arias-on-shooting-on-white-seamless.aspx)
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If you are not shooting macro, I think the texture doesn't matter much - does it? Light sources would be the main concern.
Regards,
Adelaide
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If you are not shooting macro, I think the texture doesn't matter much - does it? Light sources would be the main concern.
I think I've got the lighting covered, and I know I can hide the texture of the material by properly overexposing the background. I'm still not sure of any advantages of paper over something else? Wrinkles? Ease of tear down after a shoot? Re-use?
I've seen Zack's blog posts on shooting with a white background, and they are indeed excellent and very educational reading. And he uses paper, a nine-foot wide roll of paper (a bit less than 3m). Such a roll of paper does not lend itself to portability if you have to set up your equipment "somewhere else." This is something that I need to do from time to time.
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Well before building my studio and building the 2 wall cyclorama I preferred white seamless paper. It was affordable, durable and readily accessible to me. For portability it also comes in 3' and 4' rolls which work well for single subjects.
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He uses paper, a nine-foot wide roll of paper (a bit less than 3m). Such a roll of paper does not lend itself to portability if you have to set up your equipment "somewhere else." This is something that I need to do from time to time.
Why not just have both, paper is good for a static location and if you are in an environment where dirt will get transfered to the trailing background like a converted garage and then you just waste the last 2 metres on each shoot.
I have two supermarket budget ($14 Each) kingsize "Flat White Bed Sheets" sewn together, nice and cheap fold away and transportable fit on the background frame well, if I am shooting at my daughters then I take the portable stands in the car trunk, and we iron the sheets before use, and they are affordable in different colors as well.
David :P
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If you photograph people at full height paper might be better, because it gets dirty from foot steps and you can easily roll a few more feet once when that happens
On the other hand, the roll of paper is heavier/bulkier - it needs stronger support and it takes more space especially if you use several different colors