Good white background for product photography: I'm taking a course on Photigy. Alex Koloskov has a white wall in his studio. I have a white cloth background (some kind of muslin)...

oneillj

I'm taking a course on Photigy. Alex Koloskov has a white wall in his studio. I have a white cloth background (some kind of muslin) that's supposedly wrinkly free. It's OK for high key because I can blow out the background but for a gray or gradient, you can still see the wrinkles. I can't use seamless paper because I'm in my house and need something I can pack up and store easily. It also needs to be fairly big because some of shots require bouncing light. So, I'm trying to find a background that will work. Any ideas? I've included an attachment so you can see the issue.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

oneillj wrote:

I'm taking a course on Photigy. Alex Koloskov has ... (show quote)

Don't see any problems with your background other than a grey (blue/grey?) cast which can be corrected in post.
No wrinkles evident here. There is obviously a reflection of the glass on the table which may be thought distracting in some advertising uses. You might consider checking the "store original" box when you add photos. /Ralph

Golden Rule Loc: Washington State

I use a lot of velvet or velveteen material that I pick up at JoAnn's Fabric store. I can press the material with a steam iron to get the wrinkles out. I also use cotton materials that can be thrown in the dryer with a damp non shedding cloth a cotton pillow case is good (don't use a towel) and can also be ironed. The material is then clamped onto a frame so it is taut. After use the material can be either be hung in the closet or folded and stacked away.

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Golden Rule wrote:

I use a lot of velvet or velveteen material that I pick up at JoAnn's Fabric store. I can press the material with a steam iron to get the wrinkles out. I also use cotton materials that can be thrown in the dryer with a damp non shedding cloth a cotton pillow case is good (don't use a towel) and can also be ironed. The material is then clamped onto a frame so it is taut. After use the material can be either be hung in the closet or folded and stacked away.

Good idea, clamping the material onto a frame. Thanks.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

This collapses and stretches tight. There are various sizes.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/541110-REG/Impact_BGC_BW_57_Collapsible_Background_5.html

canon Lee

rjaywallace wrote:

Don't see any problems with your background other than a grey (blue/grey?) cast which can be corrected in post.
No wrinkles evident here. There is obviously a reflection of the glass on the table which may be thought distracting in some advertising uses. You might consider checking the "store original" box when you add photos. /Ralph

I use a translucent plexiglass for my reflections to get just a hint of reflection not a mirror effect.

RichardSM Loc: Back in Texas

Well first thing I see with your photos it's not straight. And a lot more practice on composition.

oneillj wrote:

I'm taking a course on Photigy. Alex Koloskov has ... (show quote)

canon Lee

rjaywallace wrote:

Don't see any problems with your background other than a grey (blue/grey?) cast which can be corrected in post.
No wrinkles evident here. There is obviously a reflection of the glass on the table which may be thought distracting in some advertising uses. You might consider checking the "store original" box when you add photos. /Ralph

I suggest that you use seamless, (roll it up and put it in a closet, takes up little space. ), and roll it out so that it covers the wall and the table, then put a translucent plexiglass over it, then add the product. Getting everything white is essential. Then you can silhouette ( cut out the background), it to change the background to any color .

big-guy Loc: Peterborough Ontario Canada

Is it possible to move the subject further from the background? This would throw the background more out of focus and may hide the wrinkles. You could also try using a steam gun used for removing wrinkles from curtains. Another solution may be to build a portable stretcher frame to hold the muslin tight.

Just Trying To Focus Loc: Jackson County, Michigan

oneillj wrote:

I'm taking a course on Photigy. Alex Koloskov has ... (show quote)

Have you looked at the white tents that are often used for product photography?

https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-2090-30-Inch-Backgrounds-Photography/dp/B000UCEUQI/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1490195534&sr=8-4&keywords=product+photography+tent

canon Lee

big-guy wrote:

Is it possible to move the subject further from the background? This would throw the background more out of focus and may hide the wrinkles. You could also try using a steam gun used for removing wrinkles from curtains. Another solution may be to build a portable stretcher frame to hold the muslin tight.

Getting further from the backdrop is a good idea. but the OP needs to use "seamless paper"!

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

RichardSM wrote:

Well first thing I see with your photos it's not straight. And a lot more practice on composition.

Did the OP request a critique on the posted image? I normally don't address when someone posts an unsolicited opinion, but I am in that kind of a mood today, so I will not apologize. He was simply presenting an example of what he sees as an issue with his choice of background. So, your choice was to ignore his question, and criticize his image on the merits of composition - is this because you have nothing to add to respond to his question?

You may want to have someone proofread your posts in the future - first sentence "photos" makes no sense. Second sentence - beginning a sentence with "And" no subject, no verb. Nice grammar and use of the English language.

Something about living in glass houses and throwing stones comes to mind . . .

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

oneillj wrote:

I'm taking a course on Photigy. Alex Koloskov has ... (show quote)

I have one of these for small items - which I use in conjunction with tent and speedlights.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=600445&gclid=CjwKEAjwwcjGBRDj-P7TwcinyBkSJADymblTA65ORHg1Z73kVx7GhXSdikxStJWpC1N-Xq7COghmLhoCWX_w_wcB&is=REG&ap=y&m=Y&c3api=1876%2C%7Bcreative%7D%2C%7Bkeyword%7D&Q=&A=details

Lowel makes a plastic "sweep" that might work for you:

http://www.filmandvideolighting.com/loegoswe1.html?_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=CjwKEAjwwcjGBRDj-P7TwcinyBkSJADymblTOLFvOMh5pFdW7ul-JSLuxiCr6_Ss1eF-5wMo5LVsjBoCRK7w_wcB

Lastolite has some interesting vinyl-based "trains" that work with their HiLite products, which are illuminated from the back.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=478592&gclid=CjwKEAjwwcjGBRDj-P7TwcinyBkSJADymblTh90RW5YCL05BJdId4d5CBS7odzF7LidNB5Sg3Eln4xoCvM_w_wcB&is=REG&ap=y&m=Y&c3api=1876%2C%7Bcreative%7D%2C%7Bkeyword%7D&A=details&Q=

And there are 1000s of DIY solutions as well.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

oneillj wrote:

I'm taking a course on Photigy. Alex Koloskov has ... (show quote)

I'll suggest an alternative that isn't big and may solve a lighting issue as well-- but first a question: Is it your intent to photograph large objects?' If not, you may be able to get by with a small light table. B&H has one. Since the material is tranluscent you can illuminate through the material rather than bouncing light. You can also use foam core placed off to the side(s) as a reflector.

Oops I just duplicated Gene's suggestion. I type slow.....

Peterff Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.

oneillj wrote:

I'm taking a course on Photigy. Alex Koloskov has ... (show quote)

I think using muslin is un-American. Bright lights and white nylon is the way to go. Also be careful about light tents, they might send a message about middle eastern sympathies.

Smoke a Camel, wink, wink!