Suggestions/Advice please

[nomad63]

I`ve just started getting into a bit of portrait-work, (or trying to), with the associated off-camera lighting.

My goal is to take a portable set-up to people`s houses - just friends and family, nothing paid - and I seem to now have everything I need, other than one major headache: Backdrops !

I`ve got the stand/frame etc, but it`s the material. I`ve started off with some cheap Muslin, black, and white, which I bought online, and the black, especially is so see-through, it may as well be full of holes !

Okay, I know if you pay cheap, you get cheap, but is it wise to pay more, and thus get "better" Muslin, ie: non see-through, and does more expensive mean that it definitely won`t be see-through ? I`d love input from anyone here that`s actually tried Muslin, and can give an informed opinion on it...

I`m also thinking along the lines of a printed portable back-drop, and as long as these work - ie: not bloody see-through, then I`ve no problem with paying the £160 (approx), that they seem to be.

Also, vinyl backgrounds, would they be better than Muslin, and are they any good also ?

(Note: by see-through, I mean the back of the drop-stand facing a window (not right up to it, obviously), and ambient light from the window coming straight through the material)

I`m even considering a green-screen set-up, as I do have the necessary knowledge to import all the usual backgrounds (and even make my own), and to make it look authentic, etc, so thoughts on that as well, please.

I really would appreciate some help with this, if anyone has any info, as I don`t want to keep forking out for kit that doesn`t do the job I want, and the hassle of sending it back then starting again, etc...

Thanks in anticipation.

[singlecoil]

Don't use green screen, in a normal house you will not be able to get the subject far enough from the screen to stop them being tinged with green.

For professional looking portraits the Lastolite Hi-lite is a good bet, it will stand up on its own and you can light the inside with one or better two strobes to give you a pure white background. You can turn the strobes off to get light grey (depending on how much light falls on it) and fit the purpose made Lastolite black background to it as well. With appropriate lighting you can then get pure white, pure black and a grey suitable for cutouts from one unit.

Thoroughly recommended.

[nomad63]

singlecoil said:

Don't use green screen, in a normal house you will not be able to get the subject far enough from the screen to stop them being tinged with green.

For professional looking portraits the Lastolite Hi-lite is a good bet, it will stand up on its own and you can light the inside with one or better two strobes to give you a pure white background. You can turn the strobes off to get light grey (depending on how much light falls on it) and fit the purpose made Lastolite black background to it as well. With appropriate lighting you can then get pure white, pure black and a grey suitable for cutouts from one unit.

Thoroughly recommended.

Mate, that`s just the reply I needed regarding a green-screen, and thankyou. Since I posted this, I have been reading one or two similar comments online, one of them even being from a software producer that sells software to work on green-screen photos, and like yourself, they are advocating that your subject is at least 6-8 feet away from the screen. As you say, that`s simply not achievable inside someone`s house, with a portable set-up ongoing, so it`s back to plan B. I`ve looked into the Lastolite Hi-lite already, and whilst looking to be just what I need, I believe it`s a good few hundred quid, so more than I want to spend at this moment in my development. Thanks very much though pal; I appreciate the suggestion, and the info.

[eltawater]

You'll typically find these for between £10-£15 second hand on your local Facebook Marketplace, they work wonders

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gro-Company-Anywhere-Blac...

[SCEtoAUX]

I'd avoid a green screen at all costs. All you'll be doing is taking a headache away with you.

Get it 90% in camera and then polish afterwards.

[steveatesh]

OP, re Lastolite, keep an eye on gumtree or eBay, my friend picked one up, barely used, for less than half new price.

They really are good!

[nomad63]

eltawater said:

You'll typically find these for between £10-£15 second hand on your local Facebook Marketplace, they work wonders

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gro-Company-Anywhere-Blac...

Thanks for that mate; cheers

[nomad63]

steveatesh said:

OP, re Lastolite, keep an eye on gumtree or eBay, my friend picked one up, barely used, for less than half new price.

They really are good!

Yeah, I know what you mean mate. It`s difficult to see how those wouldn`t be good quality, it`s just that I saw a quick customer review online, where the guy was saying how disappointed he was when his arrived, that he could see light through it, but many thanks for your suggestion anyway. I am going to be scanning ebay, and the like, to see if I can find one cheap.

We`ll see...

[nomad63]

SCEtoAUX said:

I'd avoid a green screen at all costs. All you'll be doing is taking a headache away with you.

Get it 90% in camera and then polish afterwards.

I`m taking your advice here bud; I`d already decided that the constraints of shooting on a green-screen, within a home set-up, are just not do-able.

I`ll make a decision on this bloody background at some point, but at the moment it`s driving me daft LOL