WHITE PAPER BACKGROUNDS FOR PORTRAITS

I am looking for information about white paper backgrounds. We are

doing easter/spring portraits at the end of the month and wanted to

get feedback from others about the choices for doing this? What is

the most affordable option for the paper? How long can you expect do

use a paper background like this? I am wanting to use the kind that

will hang from a wall and also cover part of the floor. Thank you in

advance for your advice.

 

Jason T

 

www.bluemtnphoto.com

Go to B&H's www site, and checkout SAVAGE seamless paper.This comes in two widths, and lots of colors.

I second that. B and H. Thats where I got mine. How long it lasts depends on how much you use it, and who is posing on it. I had mine for a year, doing seniors and kids. Then, I did a gymnastic and dance pictures for kids. In a week, it was ruined, because their feet and dance shoes were so dirty that it ruined my backdrop. Oh well, I made out ok on the job, so it paid for it.

I have 4 of those Savage Paper rolls from B&H (in different colors and lengths). I've had

them for a while. I shoot adults.

Savage "super white". They also make basic background stands to hold them up as well, easier than trying to fuss with paper on a wall. White get's grunged up pretty quick too, so it's nice to just be able to roll out fresh paper as needed from the stand. Adorama, B&H, Calument, etc all carry that stuff.

I use a white vinyl but the paper would be fine. One trick that I like is to lay a piece of white plexi-glass down. It keeps the background clean and makes a nice reflection.<div></div>

I use up white background paper at a ferocious rate for commercial and portrait work. We

have a job tomorrow that'll use around a 50' length of our 12' wide roll. Here's a few tips:

 

Try to find a local supplier. Shipping can get expensive. Get one of those paper cutters like

a envelope opener, it keeps from tearing the paper when you cut off the dirty floor

portion. Duct tape an old towel on the floor just outside the paper so people can wipe

their feet ... helps it stay white longer. Get a big eraser to get rid of smudges. Get as wide

a roll as you can fit in your area ... this allows use of wider lenses when you want that

effect.

 

Nothing destroys a backdrop faster than a kid skateboarding on it, like a recent job we did

; -)<div></div>

Marc,

What kind of light set up did you use to ilimanate any shadows.

 

Jason T

 

www.bluemtnphoto.com

Dang, Marc just said everything that I was going to say! The envelope cutter trick is really key; it is the only easy way to cut the stuff. I consider the cutters disposable.

 

Paper is pretty cheap. I consider it a background cost of doing business. Definitely budget for it, and make it last if you can, but there is no particular reason to consider it tragic if it gets used up quickly.

Instead of plexi for a base, I like using "Thrifty White" panelling available at Home Depot for about $10 for a 8'x4' sheet. It's slightly reflective, wipes clean with any kitchen/bath cleaner, and is pretty tough. I use muslin backgrounds and the seam just disappears.

Jason, two strip lights (shown) for the background. A 7' Elinchrom Octabox as a main off

to the right front, with a bounce off a moveable white wall to the left front. The trick is to

balance them equally at an exposure that won't blow out the subject.