What backdrop system please

[steveatesh]

Anybody advise please on a system or suitable parts to have a backdrop for studio use but should be portable too if possible?

I have seen the paper rolls, many shades of colour (is it grey that is best, seems to appear in lots of photographers videos!) cloth, vinyl, stands ranging from a few pounds (bay) to hundreds of pounds!

What would you advise for somebody who is setting up? Is paper best?

Will be used for portraits, fashion, family, possibly baby too.

Currently have a Lastolite Hilite which provide pure white or black.

[Simpo Two]

I use paper of the required colour, with the roll on a piece of spare pipe slung between two wardrobe rail brackets fixed to the ceiling.

The issue is width otherwise you'll run off the edges. If you plan to photograph very big things or families you may as well make a proper studio with infinity coves and paint it white.

I did this with a spare bedroom for about £120 - excluding lights which is a whole nother ballgame.

[singlecoil]

Cloth is handy and easier to transport, but not much good for full length work, for that the paper is best because it can be curved forward when it touches the floor and brought forward so the subject/s can stand on it. You'll want a hard floor surface underneath for that, or course.

If you don't need to do full length and you want a pale grey background, just turn off the strobes in the Hilite.