Studio Backgrounds - Paper or Fabric?

[selsim]

Hi
Just joined and wanting to start doing Portrait photography with a white and black backgrounds. I am getting a Interfit Background support kit so holds paper rolls or fabric.

Which gives the better pictures?
I understand fabric is lighter and might be better seen as I am doing this mobile in customers houses but is it harder work with creases etc. Also where is the best place to buy it as been to one fabric supplier and the width of the rolls isnt wide enough.

I have been told by one person any fabric can be used then someone else said no it cant as it needs to be really thick and lined so it doesnt shine light through??? bit confused lol

Thanks for your help.

[Cathus]

I got a black and a white muslin sheet with my background kit. Their fine if you want the look of a cotton sheet as the background but they show up the creases, if you want to turn them white you need lots of light to blow out the creases, they can look rubbish or need a good iron every time you use them. But that may depend on the material I suppose.

I've not used paper. They are lighter but once they mark you either have to rip off the paper and use the rest of the roll or spend ages in photoshop, especially if you want to use the paper on the floor as a seemless background.

I use vinyl. But I didn't buy photographic vinyl (Lastolite do one for around £200) I ordered mine from a company which makes the sides of HGV trailers, £49 for 2.5 m x 7m (bigger than lastolite) plus £20 for delivery from Glasgow, though you might find suppliers nearer or cheaper.

You can reuse it, any marks come off with water or white spirit, it's much tougher than paper, you don't need to replace it, it's flat, doesn't crease and great from bright white seemless backgrounds.
The only downside is it's heavier and more bulky than paper & material.

[selsim]

Thanks for your reply thats great.
Is it ok to ask which company you bought your material from? Sorry

Thanks again I really appreciate your help

[Cathus]

sure, funnily enough I looked out the receipt for someone only yesterday, it's Tony Beal Ltd from Glasgow - Their website is pretty basic but I just rang them up, explained I was a photographer and was interested in white vinyl, they told me they sold a lot of it to photographers and just asked how much I wanted.

I bought mine 2 years ago for £49. I used it this week for another family photoshoot and it's still bright and clean with no damage whatsoever.

http://www.tonybeal.com/home.htm

[selsim]

Thank you so much thats great, I will give them a call today. Do you know if they do Black too and if that would work in this material?

Many Thanks

[Cathus]

They do every colour under the sun, I'm not sure how black vinyl works as I've never seen it.

[NJAC]

Hi Cathus,

I have been working in corporate photography for a number of years but only now looking at getting my own full size portable back drop. The vinyl you mentioned sounds great ,but is there any problem with it being too refelctive ? Or is it a matt finish ?

I'd be on the move and folding it away a lot so the low maintenance for cleaning and ironing sounds reallly good.

Thanks

NJAC
www.njacimages.com

[Cathus]

I don't find it reflective unless you have a crease or bulge and then it can highlight the ridge of the crease, but that would be due to bad hanging as you ant it to hang flat and smooth, but then I am using it to create a bright white backdrop so it is lit by two lights and completely white.

You could ring a supplier and see if they'll send you a small sample.

You also need a car capable of holding a 2.5m roll (or whatever size you wanted)

[NJAC]

Hi Cathus,

White vinyl received from Tony Beale!.Thanks a lot it looks great , but is quite weighty, and I wondered what backdrop support you use? I have opted for one from amazon that looked good initiallyu but , isnt going to support the vinyl.

Many Thanks

NJAC

[Cathus]

wow, glad you took the advice. I don't know what the support I have is because it was a generic one from Hong Kong via ebay. I think it cost me around £70 and came with a white and a black muslin sheet. It has a reasonably thick telescopic pole which slides in and out depending on the width of the backdrop.

It holds the vinyl fine though, and yes, it is heavy, but I think it's worth it.