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08/11/2006 02:06:30 PM · #1 |
I've found a role of 9'x36' white backdrop paper for about $65cdn but I am still without a proper backdrop stand. I've seen mention of a unit made out of PVC piping but I can't remember which website that was from.
If I don't end up building my own (time and portability are concerns), are there any brands of prebuilt stands which I should be chasing/avoiding? I have one muslin right now and aim to get a couple more so it needs to be strong enough to support a wide muslin.
Thanks. |
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08/11/2006 02:36:49 PM · #2 |
The best BG stands that I've used are the big Bogen ones, but, the best deal is getting a BG kit that includes the 2 stands, pole and a roll of BG paper. Unless you are ONLY doing table top shots, get the tallest ones you can afford, especially if you want to shoot people.
Make sure you have some sand/shot bags to hold everything down too.
Message edited by author 2006-08-11 14:38:46. |
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08/30/2006 10:55:32 AM · #3 |
I am looking to get some backdrops. I do not have a studio setup, but the backdrops are needed for basic solid backgrounds rather than my living room decor.
which is better? Muslin or paper? and what dimensions are best? I am thinking for some portrait-type photos.
Thank you.
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08/30/2006 12:03:24 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by dassilem:
which is better? Muslin or paper? and what dimensions are best? I am thinking for some portrait-type photos.
Thank you. |
That dpends on the look you want in your shots. Paper works better if you want a cleaner seamless look, especially in full body portraits.
Muslins work great, but constnatly need ironed. FWIW, you can buy muslin material at a fabric store and dye it yourself at a frection of the cost of buy muslin backdrops. Fabric dyes or water-downed latex paint works great.
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08/30/2006 12:06:19 PM · #5 |
| thanks fotomann...you always point me in a direction..... I just ordered my Lightsphere that you recommended not long ago. Maybe I should just start asking you directly! |
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08/30/2006 12:47:52 PM · #6 |
Muslins are available at walmart in the quilting section. And yes, in theory, you can make your own, and it may be cheaper than buying one already done, but there is a HUGE hassle factor.
The better muslins are painted. A mottled/dappled kind of musline often has 3 or 4 colors - if you have the right colors, great, if not you'll have to buy them (a qt each should be fine, but gallons are often the about the same price. you might find a mis-mixed color in a gallon cheap). Regardless, 4 qts of latex is gonna run $40, and a 10x12 muslin with unfinished edges is $18 or so at wallyworld. $58 so far. And now you have to sew the edges - 65 feet of sewing, so you better have a machine. I fyou have a machine, you have thread, so that's not a cost.
Spraying works much better than rolling or brushing - do you have a way to spray house paint? A squirt bottle isn't going to work (ask me how i know this, go ahead). I have a wagner power painter but have not tried it (yet).
The issue is the size of material - 10 x12 feet is HUGE if you try anything indoors. and spraying paint indoors? you'll get it on everything. outside is worse, as the wind gets involved - blowing the paint AND the material. My garage is not 10 feet tall, so hanging it in there is not a solution either. I've tried laying it on the grass - wind issues still, and you have to weight more than the corners, so you have blank or filled in spots where the rock/brick/whatever held it still. Folding in half (over a clthes line or pipe) won't work as you'll get a line where it sat on the pole/line, and that line will be in the middle of the BG, so in the middle of every pic you take. Beginning to see the why buying a muslin makes sense?
So you want to dye it, huh? I tried that too. Not too bad if you want one solid color (cloth and dye - $22) Getting the mottled look is the problem. I've tried tie-dyeing, bottle spritzing, brush painting/splashing...you have the size issue still, and not it's a wet cloth full of dye...a real joy to work with -NOT!
//www.coleandcompany.com/ has painted muslins for a reasonable amount - i've gotten a couple of 10x 20 foot ones for under $140, one for $99. I can't make one for $99!
As for wrinkles - run the muslin thru the washer with fabric softener and then the drier. helps a lot with softness and wrinkles. then keep the subject 4 to 6 foot away when shooting. muslins can be more easlity ttransported, cleaned, and draped than paper, and you can walk/sit on it without damaging it. You can also turn a 10x20 sideways to make it 10' tall and 20 feet long - for active kids or a cyclorama effect. Paper is 'cleaner' looking, but is disposable, can tear and is hard to transport as the roll is 9 or 10 feet long so you need a van or something to move it. |
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08/30/2006 01:23:05 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
Spraying works much better than rolling or brushing - do you have a way to spray house paint? A squirt bottle isn't going to work (ask me how i know this, go ahead). I have a wagner power painter but have not tried it (yet).
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I've successfuly dyed a backdrop with latex paint by watering it down and then submerging the muslin into the paint/water mix. Works out pretty well. :-) Messy, but works.
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08/30/2006 02:02:15 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
I've successfuly dyed a backdrop with latex paint by watering it down and then submerging the muslin into the paint/water mix. Works out pretty well. :-) Messy, but works. |
I have the 10x12 (messed up) muslin fabic and have been trying to do something to 'fix' it. I need an xmas BG and this is a botched attempt from last year, and painting is the only fix now - the dunking thing, i may try that, got nothing to lose at this point!
the one's i've bought (made and sold by cole and company) and they use household latex (i asked) and spray them (it's obvious). I can't see how one could make a mottled look without hanging the whole thing...any thoughts/ideas? laying it in the grass i tried, but reaching the middle is not easy at all.
mottled as in like these
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08/30/2006 02:04:44 PM · #9 |
thank you Prof and Fotomann...
you both are giving me food for thought....
Thanks to Prof's trial and error, I won't try them!! hmmm....just got a house spray painter...../??
I appreciate how helpful everyone is. Someday I hope I can too, but right now I am still learning stages!
oh...forgot, how is it that you know the spray bottle doesn't work??? ;-}
Message edited by author 2006-08-30 14:05:14. |
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08/30/2006 02:05:57 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by Prof_Fate:
I can't see how one could make a mottled look without hanging the whole thing...any thoughts/ideas? laying it in the grass i tried, but reaching the middle is not easy at all.
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Sponge on a long stick? :-)
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09/01/2006 04:10:35 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by ShorterThanJesus:
I've found a role of 9'x36' white backdrop paper for about $65cdn but I am still without a proper backdrop stand. I've seen mention of a unit made out of PVC piping but I can't remember which website that was from.
If I don't end up building my own (time and portability are concerns), are there any brands of prebuilt stands which I should be chasing/avoiding? I have one muslin right now and aim to get a couple more so it needs to be strong enough to support a wide muslin.
Thanks. |
the website to make your own stand from pvc pipe is: //homepage.mac.com/geerlingguy/jeffscomputersupport/tech_help_articles/photography/homemade_greenscreen.html
enjoy |
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09/01/2006 04:17:28 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by star162:
the website to make your own stand from pvc pipe is: //homepage.mac.com/geerlingguy/jeffscomputersupport/tech_help_articles/photography/homemade_greenscreen.html
enjoy |
quick link button ;) PVC homemade stand |
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09/04/2006 12:10:42 AM · #13 |
For bargains on new muslin and other backgrounds, check out eBay.com. I looked in tonight and found great bargains. Do a search there re photography backgrounds and look at the items whose bidding is about to end. I found and won a gray one that was only $13.50 + $14.00 shipping.
-- Ann
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