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What color of gray seamless background paper do you like?


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<p>So far I only own super white seamless backdrop.....Savage brand. I want to buy black and gray. There are several colors of gray offered, and I'm not sure which one to get. Does anyone have any examples of shots done with a gray background? If you'd be kind enough to post an image and tell me which color of gray you've used, it would help me a lot. I'm thinking that since I'll be buying black, I may want a shade of gray that isn't too dark. But if you all can help, it would lead me in the right direction.</p>

<p>Thanks so much!</p>

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<p>I used to use the gray paper background more than I do now. I used #60 Focus Gray, only because that's the only gray the photo store had and I didn't want to special order a different one.<br>

You can see the same subject on both gray and black backgrounds on my web site at http://www.guitarphotography.com/gallery/dram-yan/<br>

For black I use a piece of expensive velvet if it's up close, but if it's out of focus farther away, I use inexpensive Duvateen fabric.<br>

<Chas><br /><br /></p>

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<p>My favorite neutral from Savage is their "Storm Gray." I can drop it to nearly black without trouble, and with enough light it can still feel fairly airy.<br /><br />Just used some the other day on a puppy shoot:<br /><img src="http://www.shomberggsp.com/litters/2014/2014_diva_grant/limo_800.jpg" alt="" width="618" height="800" /><br /><br />But the same paper works for a bit more drama, like this earlier session:<br /><img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/17062572-lg.jpg" alt="" width="665" height="900" /></p>
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<p>Nice shots Matt. I guess the question Christal is what do you want to achieve as far as light to dark. Just one shade of gray may not work for everything. If you want drama like Matts second shot it takes controlled light and it can be accomplished easier by using a darker shade of gray. On the other hand if you like the first shot then a lighter gray may be best. When using gels you will however get better color control with darker gray color like charcoal gray by Savage seamless paper. On my website under corporate I use charcoal gray exclusively. http://www.michaelmowery.com You can also see it with gels under MMA Fighters.</p>
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<p>Yes Matt I understood your point you were very clear but there are other shades of gray lighter and darker which all will perform differently.<br>

Darker backgrounds are easier to control as the light reflectivity is much less than lighter ones. It would be helpful to know what Christal would like to achieve in her end results. My guess is since she already has a white background then it would make sense to get a darker gray which she can still make lighter or darker with light control as Mat has clearly demonstrated. </p>

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<p>First let me say that I'm sorry it took me awhile to get back here! :-) This is exactly what I was hoping to see! Thank you all so much!</p>

<p>Charles.....thanks for the illustrations. And I have to say I'm fascinated by your website and all of the unusual instruments. I'm actually a concert violinist, so I'm looking forward to spending some time looking at all of your images. Though I think I'm veering away from the idea of buying a black backdrop, the black provides a beautiful contrast to the instruments. </p>

<p>Michael.....yes, I remember being told that the darker colors work better with gels. This time I'm basically looking for just a neutral background for portraits and families with children (specifically my daughter and her family who will be coming for a visit next week from Canada). I thought black would look too stark, but I didn't want anything too bland in the gray tones. </p>

<p>Matt....I love your examples. That's quite a wide range of color you've been able to achieve through lighting. But I'm understanding now that this is possible to obtain. In fact, with my super white paper I can fairly easily achieve a grayish background similar to your lighter background here. So for that reason, I may be tempted to buy a darker shade of gray, which will tend more toward medium grays and black shades. This is exactly the type of thing I was looking for, so I appreciate your help!</p>

<p>Michael....As you know I'm still in the very experimental stage with studio lighting, so I'm not sure exactly what I want. :-) But I know I want to offer a different look than what I'm able to achieve with the super white....just for some variety and a more dramatic look. After looking at all of the examples (thanks for yours, BTW....beautiful images!), I think I will go with the darker backdrop. And a benefit from that is that all those gels I bought may come in handy. I can start experimenting with them as well. Thanks so much for your help!!! Again!! :-)</p>

<p>Craig....thanks.....yes, they seem to be popular ones. I do think I'll try the darker one this time though.</p>

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<p>Hi, it's something of a personal choice as to what shade of gray to get. I think if it were me, I might forget about the black, and go for both a lighter and darker gray. The thing about black paper is that it's never really that black, but it IS dark enough that it takes about double the power, or more, to light it as compared to a fairly dark gray paper. If you need TOTAL black, then black velvet is about the best thing to have. So I'd say it just depends on what you're trying to do, and what you're willing to settle for.</p>

<p>A comment on width of the Savage paper rolls: as I recall, they come as either (roughly) 4.5 or 9 feet wide. The 9 footers can be great inside of a studio, but are awkward to transport by car. My preference for a traveling background, doing general purpose people photography, is more along 6 or 7 feet wide. It's pretty easy to cut down a wider paper background with a hacksaw.</p>

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<p>Bill.....very helpful advice. I think I'm going to forego the black for now and get something in black fabric later. As for the width.....the roll I have is the 9' roll, and it just barely fits in my SUV if I place it between the 2 front seats and let it rest on the dashboard. It won't even fit in our pick up truck. But I really want the wider one, which will allow me to take a group shot or family more easily than with the less wide one. I'm lucky it fits in my car, or I wouldn't be able to do that. Thanks so much!</p>
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<p>Seamless backgrounds gives a commercial look to what ever you shoot and is great for fashion, product and corporate work. In my opinion lugging backgrounds around to shoot families is a pain and gives an old school look like Owen Mills. I find using the environment whether indoors or outside gives a more contemporary feel. To each his own i guess. The background systems should stay in the studio especially the 12 foot ones.</p>
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<p>Michael.....Now that you mention it.....yeah, I guess there wouldn't be much need to carry a roll with me.....except for the job I just did shooting 75 head shots. I can see the possibility though, so it's nice to have a car that it could fit in. But you're right.....I love natural light whenever I can get it and would prefer to shoot that way. To be honest, the main reason for wanting the darker background is because my daughter and her family are coming this weekend from Canada. I'm going to take our family portrait this time.....never done it before. The last portraits we've had done were with white backgrounds, and I want something different this time. But I also just love the more dramatic look a darker background can provide. BTW, I'm looking for a space I can use for a studio. Right now I'm using my garage, but I want to move to another location. Will keep you posted on that! </p>
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