Reading mode: Light Dark

Portable, collapsible portrait backdrop?

Go to last post
Q

qwik3r

Member
Messages
35
Reaction score
0
Location
US
Do they make some sort of portable lighting backdrop that is foldable? I got a savage 8 food paper reem as a back drop and for some reason i had a senior moment (even though i'm not even close to being a senior citizen) and didn't realize how F'n big the paper back drop was, the intention was to have this portable and it barely even fits in my car without one of the windows down.

I was thinking maybe a very large bed sheet or something but I am afraid you'd see the wrinkles and it wouldn't blow out, any suggestions?
 
I picked up a 5x7 used as my first "POP" backdrop.

The camera shop owner and I spent 20 min outside his shop on the sidewalk struggling to collapse it.... very humerous as pedestrians walked by.

First use, it paid of itself. My associate(lady) collapsed it in under a minute (beginners luck). I had her open it up again and try collapsing again, and it took another half hour...

I watched some YouTube vids to LEARN as I practiced ...now it's easy(er)

I recently picked up an eBAY 5x7 of a different pattern, different manufacturer.

The flat metal band used is "cheap" and "flimsy". The unit can lean against a wall on it's own, or be hung from a stand, but, just isn't a match for the quality of the first one I bought. (Lesson - quality has a price)

My plan - Have 2 (or 3) QUALITY pop backdrops.
+ You can clip different fabrics over them to change the "look".

NOTE - They are available in different sizes, and some have a "skirt" of fabric which can sweep across the floor, making the unit miore like a traditional long fabric backdrop without the hassle of the background stands and crossbar.
 
slowhands214238 said:
NOTE - They are available in different sizes, and some have a "skirt" of fabric which can sweep across the floor, making the unit miore like a traditional long fabric backdrop without the hassle of the background stands and crossbar.
Click to expand...
My experience with the Botero brand of that style is decidedly unsatisfactory.

Flimsy metal, see-through fabric, extremely difficult to re-fold, and not even particularly compact when folded--and still wrinkly in the picture. I found stands and plain background much more efficient.

--
RDKirk
'TANSTAAFL: The only unbreakable rule in photography.'
 
RDKirk said:
RDKirk said:
NOTE - They are available in different sizes, and some have a "skirt" of fabric which can sweep across the floor, making the unit miore like a traditional long fabric backdrop without the hassle of the background stands and crossbar.
Click to expand...
My experience with the Botero brand of that style is decidedly unsatisfactory.

Flimsy metal, see-through fabric, extremely difficult to re-fold, and not even particularly compact when folded--and still wrinkly in the picture. I found stands and plain background much more efficient.

--
RDKirk
'TANSTAAFL: The only unbreakable rule in photography.'
Click to expand...
It takes 10 seconds to refold the Botero and put back into the bag, do not need to be a rocket scientist.

I have the white and black version, it does wrinkle but so would any fabric if it was stuffed in a bag or folded for portability. It does the job and is compact. Wrinkles are easily removed in post production.

Treaks
 
treaks said:
RDKirk said:
treaks said:
NOTE - They are available in different sizes, and some have a "skirt" of fabric which can sweep across the floor, making the unit miore like a traditional long fabric backdrop without the hassle of the background stands and crossbar.
Click to expand...
My experience with the Botero brand of that style is decidedly unsatisfactory.

Flimsy metal, see-through fabric, extremely difficult to re-fold, and not even particularly compact when folded--and still wrinkly in the picture. I found stands and plain background much more efficient.

--
RDKirk
'TANSTAAFL: The only unbreakable rule in photography.'
Click to expand...
It takes 10 seconds to refold the Botero and put back into the bag, do not need to be a rocket scientist.

I have the white and black version, it does wrinkle but so would any fabric if it was stuffed in a bag or folded for portability. It does the job and is compact. Wrinkles are easily removed in post production.
Click to expand...
I was speaking of the Botero 8x16 Super Collapsible background, which has the "skirt" of fabric that sweeps across the floor. If you can get that stuffed back into its case in 10 seconds, you're certainly a bigger dog than I am.

However, it is not what I call "compact." At a full meter in diameter, it doesn't fit any of my cases, nor is it easily carried under the arm.

As for doing the job: It's not rigid enough to lean against a wall or even hang from a single strand--it still takes two stands just like a regular muslin, as well as several clamps.

The material is so sheer that a background light--or even the main light--illuminates objects behind the background...and they will show through the background in the picture.

The metal band does not pull the fabric taut, so there are still many wrinkles. Maybe you have the time and inclination to get rid of them in post processing, but I do this for a living, and every minute spent in Photoshop correcting an image flaw is a dollar spent. There are better products.

--
RDKirk
'TANSTAAFL: The only unbreakable rule in photography.'
 
Nobody has yet mentioned the Photek PeoplePopper. They use a nylon velour that is painted on one side and responds wonderfully to light. The stand is a traditional T-bar with an additional bar for the bottom so it hangs nicely. The backdrop has pockets at the top and bottom for the bars. The kit comes with a backdrop, stand, and bars. Some of the kits come with a posing bench at no extra cost. I recommend the Stormy Grey color, as it is versatile and takes colored light very well.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/153566-REG/Photek_P_6000_95_P_6000_95_Peoplepopper_Velour.html#features

-Gene L.
http://www.ttl-biz.com
http://www.studiography.blogspot.com
 
One potential drawback to be aware of with the peoplepopper or any of the other "velour blanket" style backgrounds is that if your depth of field is too great or the bg is too close to the subject, it is possible to get moire' patterns showing on the background.

Shot many big reunions on long roll film cameras for years using that style BG because it traveled so darn well and looked never had a problem. But with digital, we were got a big surprise when we had moire issues (Nikon D200). Only had it happen once, but that was more than enough!
--
Eric in Florida
 
birdpix said:
One potential drawback to be aware of with the peoplepopper or any of the other "velour blanket" style backgrounds is that if your depth of field is too great or the bg is too close to the subject, it is possible to get moire' patterns showing on the background...
Click to expand...
Didn't realize that the D200 has such a weak anti-alias filter. However, I have not seen this issue with my XSi, which also has a weak anti-alias filter. Of course, I seldom shoot above f/8 for portraiture anyway, as I like to throw the background out of focus. Doing so makes use of one of the strengths of the painted velour background.

I would not expect to see an aliasing problem with Photek's velour, as it not a normal velour. It is a nylon material with a very tight and irregular looking weave. The look of the weave actually reminds me more of the surface of a miniature sponge.

-Gene L.
http://www.ttl-biz.com
http://www.studiography.blogspot.com
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Keyboard shortcuts

f
Forum
m
My threads
Mobile site
About
Editorial content
Cameras & Lenses
Community
All content, design, and layout are Copyright © 1998–2025 Digital Photography Review All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction in whole or part in any form or medium without specific written permission is prohibited.
When you use DPReview links to buy products, the site may earn a commission.
©GPS Media - Guides, Products, Services.
Back
Top