Questions regarding background drop size selection

[emc]

Dear photographers,

 

I will be shooting my first onsite portrait photos for a corporate holiday

party in about 6 weeks. This will be my first time using a background scenic

drop which raised a few questions pertinent to the setup. My previous

experience with portraits has always been natural backgrounds such as gardens,

foliage, or urban settings with brick, buildings, and cars. Lighting has always

been through the use of reflectors and off camera flash slaves (i.e. Nikon SB-

600)

 

1) What size background is typically used when posing 2-4 people? The

background will be a simple blue tone with white snowflakes.

 

2) What is the typical portrait composition or expectations for guests in

formal wear? (i.e. - 3/4 length portrait or full length? If full length, is the

background drop a seamless 10' or longer?)

 

3) Lighting will be supplied by two Alien Bees 800s with two medium 32" x 40"

softboxes. One will be positioned to each side of the subjects to minimize

shadows. Is a dedicated third light required for lighting the background behind

the subject? Would a 3rd Alien Bees 400 suffice?

 

The room dimensions are 21' x 25'. I will be using a Nikon D200 and Nikon 24-

120 lens. Any suggestions for other problems I have not yet considered are

welcomed.

 

Thank you in advance.

 

- Eugenio C.

[bdp]

Most portable backdrop racks seem to support 10' wide backdrops, and those seem to be 10x12 or 10x20 in size. if you have a 10' wide selection you shoul be able to easily get 3-4 people standing with lots of side room. This will definitely give you the opportunity with only 2 people for different positioning from the standard 2 standing.

[picturesque]

1. Probably 10x20 (if you want the backdrop to go under the feet), 10x10 otherwise (approximately). You could squeeze by with an 8x8 if you only did half lengths.

 

2. For formals, most people want a full length because of the womens' gowns. You will need a 10x20 as mentioned above.

 

3. I would not do that kind of lighting, but would use a key/fill type of lighting. I sometimes move the key from one side to the other, but I mark my spots so I can get the same ratios and exposures. I never use background lights at such events because you don't have the time to fiddle with it during. And even though you expect to shoot couples and foursomes only, there will be a few groups that you will be forced to do, and background lighting won't work for those.

 

Watch glasses reflections if you are using such a big source for the fill. And do some searches for previous posts on this topic for good info about timing such things. The biggest problem with these types of shoots is squeezing everyone into the shooting line up. This might involve working with whomever is responsible for the schedule.

[wedding-photography-denver]

10x12 is a good general size and allows up to about 8 people if 'arranged' and not just in a line. I have about 4 and only one is larger.

 

For the type of group you mention it is likely they would mostly be 3/4 or head shots, so that size is fine. However, if you plan to do full length or drape over a chair/prop etc. then the 20' long works pretty well.