Thank You, just so happens my Back Drop Stand arrived today. And I was going obtain some backgrounds. Your info was very timely fo me five years later than you posted this. By the way We have a lot of Homemade Quilts My Mom & Ancestors quilted. They are colorful, and I am going to try to use some of them depending on subjects being Photographed.
Thanks a lot, Ed. Very helpful. Thunder-gray seamless paper looks great in all your portraits. Using a pleated fabric backdrop is a wonderful tip. Thanks again.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and techniques. When I do headshots for LinkedIn or portraits, I set up a second speedlite with a Steele Blue gel behind the subject that sprays the light directly onto a fabric (dark blue & dark gray random pattern) backdrop. The backdrop is about 6 ft behind the subject so I get enough blur from the DOF to take the wrinkles out. If need be, I clone them out in Photoshop. When processing in Lightroom, I apply a vignette to finish off the image. The gel color seems to work for almost everyone. I found Yongnuo remote triggers to be very reliable. My preference with the fabric is to have it taught. I have a bunch of the clamps you used in this video and I clamp the fabric to the stands in three places.
I use a mid grey muslin backdrop as my standard, it’s a very large one and use to spend hours ironing it only for it to get creased as soon as I folded it (needed folding in half before rolling). I ended up buying a cheap steamer off Amazon, and it now takes about 15minutes and it’s perfect. But I also have some curtain type backdrops and like yourself I go for the pleats with them. I really don’t like fake bricks etc, not my style at all, if I shot children I might feel different.
+Mark Harris - Thanks, Mark. I’ve used the portable steamer solution, too. Worked pretty well, but for people doing that, a little warning: it can make marks on some types of backdrops if you’re not careful. Some of the painted ones or ones not using strong dyes. I put a nasty spot on one.
@3:36 "Don't get the really cheap fabrics" So what are the really cheap fabrics? I want to purchase a collapsible background and cannot gauge material quality via online pics created by sellers. I'm looking at muslin though I hear some of them aren't opaque, and I am also considering the (much pricier) Savage collapsible/reversible background if the quality/durability is truly that much better. Suggestion on how to narrow down my search?
That is a really good question. A couple of suggestions if you can't see the fabric for yourself (in store): 1) Read the reviews from verified buyers carefully. 2) If something isn't as expected, send it back. So, I'd definitely go for the heavier fabrics, better name brands.
Should the fabric be less width that the stand to prevent it from wrinkling? Or does that matter? I feel like its not smaller you wont be able to stretch it out
That’s an option but I wouldn’t want the fabric to be in sharp focus if you can manage that. That’ll help reduce the visibility of a few wrinkles. Otherwise you can always pull extra fabric to the sides and use clips to keep it tight.
great video, I am currently looking to make my apartment studio into a mini photography studio and have been looking for backdrop options. Definitely going to start off with a grey one. What is the backdrop stand you are using? I am looking on amazon for one but they all seem to be pretty flimsy.
Hello there Ed I had a question about the savage backdrops which color of gray would turn to white, and black? there’s fashion gray and also thunder Grey and I think sky grey... thank you
Thunder Grey might be a little too dark to go completely white without really blasting it with background light. But almost any background can go dark quite easily. So, for your scenario, I'd probably try a lighter grey.
There are some that claim to be that thick but you don’t know unless you inspect it for yourself. I usually just double up on the fabric or use other fabric to back it up if that’s a problem.
It's adjustable, like most. Indoors I take it up to about 1.5' from the ceiling. Width is going to be dependent on the crossbar and whatever I need for the width of the seamless (or how wide I'll drape the fabric background). But generally, from about 60" to as much as 10'.
David, I'm using the Impact 9' Adjustable. Here's the direct link: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/996911-REG/impact_bg_acb_9_background_adjacent_crossbar.html
👉 Get your free bonus downloads here! edverosky.com/subscriber-bonus/
I like your natural, no nonsense approach. Thanks!
Would love to have seen the pleated canvass used as a backdrop
Thank You, just so happens my Back Drop Stand arrived today. And I was going obtain some backgrounds. Your info was very timely fo me five years later than you posted this. By the way We have a lot of Homemade Quilts My Mom & Ancestors quilted. They are colorful, and I am going to try to use some of them depending on subjects being Photographed.
thank u for leaving the measurements on the description box. This really helped me
Thanks a lot, Ed. Very helpful. Thunder-gray seamless paper looks great in all your portraits. Using a pleated fabric backdrop is a wonderful tip. Thanks again.
+LongTimeTTFan -- you bet. Thunder Gray is so classic AND versatile.
This was an awesome video! Thanks so much for sharing this info!
Love your videos. I've now subscribed. Keep 'em coming! 🙂
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and techniques.
When I do headshots for LinkedIn or portraits, I set up a second speedlite with a Steele Blue gel behind the subject that sprays the light directly onto a fabric (dark blue & dark gray random pattern) backdrop. The backdrop is about 6 ft behind the subject so I get enough blur from the DOF to take the wrinkles out. If need be, I clone them out in Photoshop. When processing in Lightroom, I apply a vignette to finish off the image. The gel color seems to work for almost everyone. I found Yongnuo remote triggers to be very reliable.
My preference with the fabric is to have it taught. I have a bunch of the clamps you used in this video and I clamp the fabric to the stands in three places.
Gary, that sounds like a great setup. Thanks for sharing.
You are very welcome.
Very helpful practical tips. Thanks.
I use a mid grey muslin backdrop as my standard, it’s a very large one and use to spend hours ironing it only for it to get creased as soon as I folded it (needed folding in half before rolling). I ended up buying a cheap steamer off Amazon, and it now takes about 15minutes and it’s perfect. But I also have some curtain type backdrops and like yourself I go for the pleats with them. I really don’t like fake bricks etc, not my style at all, if I shot children I might feel different.
+Mark Harris - Thanks, Mark. I’ve used the portable steamer solution, too. Worked pretty well, but for people doing that, a little warning: it can make marks on some types of backdrops if you’re not careful. Some of the painted ones or ones not using strong dyes. I put a nasty spot on one.
Find D600 fabric material it doesn't wrinkle... Its canvas like material and perfect for using as a backdrop
Great video do you have any examples of the rgb lights on thunder gray? It’s one of the colors I’m considering
Wow! Excellent video! Thank you!
Nice video. I have carpet but paper backdrop won't workout so do you have any idea how to solve that problem
I love your review on this! What type of backdrop stand do you use!? Seems sturdy 👍
Thank you! I use Impact LS-96HAB stands and the Impact BG-ABC crossbar.
where did you get the backdrop sticks from? let me know
@3:36 "Don't get the really cheap fabrics"
So what are the really cheap fabrics? I want to purchase a collapsible background and cannot gauge material quality via online pics created by sellers. I'm looking at muslin though I hear some of them aren't opaque, and I am also considering the (much pricier) Savage collapsible/reversible background if the quality/durability is truly that much better.
Suggestion on how to narrow down my search?
That is a really good question. A couple of suggestions if you can't see the fabric for yourself (in store): 1) Read the reviews from verified buyers carefully. 2) If something isn't as expected, send it back. So, I'd definitely go for the heavier fabrics, better name brands.
What stand should I get to hold these paper backdrops?
Your a blessing bro thank you
Thank you too sir✌️
Should the fabric be less width that the stand to prevent it from wrinkling? Or does that matter? I feel like its not smaller you wont be able to stretch it out
That’s an option but I wouldn’t want the fabric to be in sharp focus if you can manage that. That’ll help reduce the visibility of a few wrinkles. Otherwise you can always pull extra fabric to the sides and use clips to keep it tight.
Thanks for the review. Is the "Thunder Gray" bei the "Standard Gray Backdrop"?
Thanks
For me it is.
great video, I am currently looking to make my apartment studio into a mini photography studio and have been looking for backdrop options. Definitely going to start off with a grey one. What is the backdrop stand you are using? I am looking on amazon for one but they all seem to be pretty flimsy.
This one does the job, and is very portable: amzn.to/2bYFld5
Hello there Ed I had a question about the savage backdrops which color of gray would turn to white, and black? there’s fashion gray and also thunder Grey and I think sky grey... thank you
Thunder Grey might be a little too dark to go completely white without really blasting it with background light. But almost any background can go dark quite easily. So, for your scenario, I'd probably try a lighter grey.
Ed Verosky thank you very much
Do you know the name of the fabric that one should use that the light will not seek through?
There are some that claim to be that thick but you don’t know unless you inspect it for yourself. I usually just double up on the fabric or use other fabric to back it up if that’s a problem.
Alright this was pretty good & to the point!
how wide and high is this backdrop
support?
It's adjustable, like most. Indoors I take it up to about 1.5' from the ceiling. Width is going to be dependent on the crossbar and whatever I need for the width of the seamless (or how wide I'll drape the fabric background). But generally, from about 60" to as much as 10'.
What are the Seamless backdrops made of? The one I have been using is bit shiny and reflects light maybe half plastic material
I use paper rolls.
Can you post a link to your stand if you bought it online?
Sure! It was this setup: amzn.to/2sbFNfe
Hi what rod are you using?
What crossbar are you using? Looks pretty substantial.
David, I'm using the Impact 9' Adjustable. Here's the direct link: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/996911-REG/impact_bg_acb_9_background_adjacent_crossbar.html
Thank you for the video it helps me a lot.
Thank you a lot.
great video thank you!@!!!
The 7 people that gave this video a Thumbs Down.... what’s up with y’all?? 🙄🙄. Bitter or something
Right?
Thx u God bless
👍