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Hi everyone I'm at my wits end trying to find a nice 7ft by 7ft ish collapsable background with a train for my portrait photography. I really don't want white but think that I may need one as that's what my clients might like. I know that the ones that I've looked at are reversible but most of them seem quite small. What I'd really like is a marbled effect but I'm a bit scared of purchasing one on it's own without having the b/w aswell. If any of you have any useful info/ links I'd appreciate it. Also if you know of any second hand ones for sale that would be of interest to me aswell.
This is what I've found so far. :0)
http://www.photodeals.co.uk/product.php?productid=18&cat=7&page=1 http://www.warehouseexpress.com/buy-Lastolite-Collapsible-Reversible-Washington-... http://www.photodeals.co.uk/product.php?productid=15&cat=0&page=0&fe...
I guess it's all down to personal taste but I'm not keen on the marble bg's. I use a black collapsible Lastolite bg and although I dont use it much I find that when I do the results look quite 'classy' if you know what I mean.
Not sure if that helps at all?
Darren.
I don't like marble ones either, I think it looks very dated.
I use a mid grey paper background, it works well for both children and adults (examples in my pf), I also have a backdrop support that packs away into a small bag and I'm pretty sure you can get non-woven cloth back drops to put on them, that might be a bit easier and cheaper as you're just starting out?
In my experience, you SHOULD have the b&w (as that's the popular combination at the moment) but the requirement for a marbled background is now less so. I have several Lastolite ones - blues/sands/browms/greens - and though they can look great when lit correctly, they can also look dated.
If I was you, I'd get the b&w one and then I'd invest in 4 rolls of paper - really strong, rich colours that will give your shots a distinct edge and make you stand out. They can be bought quite cheaply and are easy to transport and use. Get a couple of spring grips too to hold the paper in place on the rolls so you can roll out as much as you need then clamp it to stop it rolling off the core.
Quote: In my experience, you SHOULD have the b&w (as that's the popular combination at the moment) but the requirement for a marbled background is now less so. I have several Lastolite ones - blues/sands/browms/greens - and though they can look great when lit correctly, they can also look dated.
If I was you, I'd get the b&w one and then I'd invest in 4 rolls of paper - really strong, rich colours that will give your shots a distinct edge and make you stand out. They can be bought quite cheaply and are easy to transport and use. Get a couple of spring grips too to hold the paper in place on the rolls so you can roll out as much as you need then clamp it to stop it rolling off the core.
With the paper rolls, do you need to buy a frame to put them on? Sorry not too familiar with paper rolls. Do you have any links?
Thanks for your help. :0)
Ok, I've seen now that they require a stand. Unfortunately most of my work is mobile and I think that the rolls and frame would be a bit heavy for me. (Something to think about if I ever set up a studio though) What size collapsable backgrounds do you use and how many people/children fit comfortably on them? :0)
I've got the b/w Lastolite with train. It's a super bit of kit, and, yes, far more portable than rolls. I tend not to shoot more than 3 people with it, if that helps. It's not massively wide, but then on the other hand, if you're shooting in people's homes your space is limited anyway.
Have to say that I'm not a fan of marbled backgrounds, either ...
Don't forget that you can effectively make the white background grey by simply not lighting it ... as below ...
Quote: I've got the b/w Lastolite with train. It's a super bit of kit, and, yes, far more portable than rolls. I tend not to shoot more than 3 people with it, if that helps. It's not massively wide, but then on the other hand, if you're shooting in people's homes your space is limited anyway.
Have to say that I'm not a fan of marbled backgrounds, either ...
Don't forget that you can effectively make the white background grey by simply not lighting it ... as below ...
Wow! I hadn't thought of that. I do prefer the softer look. How wide is your portable background please?
Quote: Hi everyone I'm at my wits end trying to find a nice 7ft by 7ft ish collapsable background with a train for my portrait photography. I really don't want white but think that I may need one as that's what my clients might like
Plain or patterned/marble, go for light grey, then for variations on colours, get a set of gels.
Is the train detatchable Abel? and Paul could you tell me how the gels work please?
Hi Catherine. The train isn't detachable from the main background. What you get is a pop-up background frame with velcro on the edge on three-sides of the back face. The two backgrounds (one black and one white) are separate cloths which are also velcroed on three sides and stretch over the frame, fixing on to the back side and leaving the train loose at the bottom. If I'm not taking full length images (like in the example I posted) I just kick the background back against the frame so it doesn't get dirty or trip people. Because of the velcro arrangement it's pretty quick to change from one to other without too much fuss, and I find it's useful to have a few washing pegs in your camera bag to stretch out any wrinkles ... 
Abel
Thank you so much for the help Abel. I will have a look and see if I can get something just like that. :0)
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