oneillj

I do location shooting and when I set up a "studio" environment, I use 10x24 muslin backgrounds and a stand. They look great but it takes me a few minutes to set them up and they're impractical to change during a shoot. Not only that but I need help getting them back in the bag. I have Botero 5x7s but they're only good for a head shot and I'm not crazy about the background patterns. I mostly use the b&w reversible. I saw something on an instructional video that looked kind of like a 10x10 Botero on a stand (don't even want to contemplate how you'd fold that one back up, if you know what I mean! :-)).

I've also seen some muslin drop downs that are attached to a wood rod that look easy to change and tote around. You can do a 3/4 length but not a full length since it doesn't have a floor.

Anyone have any suggestions?

SteveR Loc: Michigan

10 x 24 sounds awfully big. Do you have a photo of it? Is this for large groups?

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

Yes. My suggestion is to learn to use what's at your shoot as a backdrop. Find a background that has few (3 or less) muted colors (think dead bushes or a fence or wall or something) and get the subject far enough away so that it blurs and blends the details into a nice unobtrusive muted color background.

Once you get this idea, you can do a nice portrait anywhere.

Capture48 Loc: Arizona

If you shoot events like I do, you get really good at using these backgrounds. I have and use some of the large collapsable backgrounds all the time. Once you get used to them, they are easy to fold up. I try not to do full length work with these backgrounds because clients need to stand on the background and they wear out rather quickly. If it's a large event with 100 or more people, backgrounds will only last 2 or 3 of those and they have to be cleaned in between each one. Most times they have to be reversed in the middle of the shoot because the part they step on gets too dirty.

People think that they are only shooting one person, so their background will last forever. Not true, they may be shooting only one person, but you are taking 60 shots or more with many poses. You BG probably gets as much wear shooting one person as mine does shooting 100. I take only one shot of each of the 100 at an event. You probably take 60 or 70 of your one client while they are shuffling around and walking on a BG. The use of these large BG's necessitates the need for an assistant, so these shoots are more expensive.

As you've already found out there is no good answer for this. If it were me however shooting one client, I would not use a BG except in studio. You may already know if you move a subject six feet off a wall or tree or any object and use a fast lens you can easily blur the BG, and achieve the results you need. IMHO Backgrounds just don't work well outside for full length shots

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

I have used both the large muslin and the painted canvas on a wood roller. Depending upon the shoot, I would set up both with lighting for each. I liked the painted roller because of the Rembrandt or whatever oil drop I was using. I liked the muslin for its convenience to push into a bag.

oneillj

I just that when I shoot outside but I'm talking about inside shots. I don't have an assistant so, I have to fold them up and stuff them in the bag. I really need something that's quick to set up and change out where I can shoot a 3/4 or two or three (five at the most) people. The 5x7s are convenient but they're just not big enough.

oneillj

It's for large groups and whenever I need a backdrop. As you can see, it takes forever to change it out. I'm looking for something I can shoot 3/4 with and only takes a few minutes at most to change out and get ready. Since the lights tend to be halfway on the backdrop, I have to move them and reset and meter them again. This is a photobooth at a HS dance.

paulw Loc: nottinghamshire

I have a 3mx6m vinyl backdrop that is black on one side and white the other , many different colours and sizes are available . They roll up on an aluminium tube, easily wiped clean and will stand people jumping up and down on them on a flat surface

oneillj

Who makes it?

Jayne Loc: Wisconsin

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/302999-REG/Botero_C00157_001_Collapsible_Background_5x7.html

Had you seen this?

Jayne Loc: Wisconsin

Disregard my last post...you noted you're aware of them....Sorry!

JD750 Loc: SoCal

It was useful to me, perhaps others too. who hadn't seen that product. So thanks for posting it.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

Couldn't you fasten a wooden rod to a 10x10 muslin?

Like you, I have a few large muslins. Most are 10x20. Some hand died, some solid color. I don't find them that difficult to set up. So, I'm not really sure of the difficulty? I think I can wad up a 10x20 into a bag, quicker than I can fold up one of those pop up backdrops. Setting it up, just run the horizontal piece through the pocket at the top, raise the sides, and good to go.

dickwilber Loc: Indiana (currently)

There is no simple answer. I always preferred the muslins. But, I would eschew use of a single muslin for background and floor. At some venues you could do with the existing floor, it'll contrast but, if it looks OK ... If you insist on a matching floor (many studios do for prom shots), use a separate 10' x 10' for each. That will cut your replacement costs in half. You need to make sure you've "Gaffer Taped" both securely at the back of the set up, so a gap doesn't appeared where they meet. It's simple with a little practice!