PROS!
- Easy to storage and handle
- Light and collapsable. I was surprised an object 9’ x 7’ would fold down so small
- Produces deep rich blacks
- Which enhances contrast and colour tones in final printing. Previously the black has been an off black.
- Which enhances contrast and colour tones in final printing. Previously the black has been an off black.
- Increase Photographic Area
- At every event there groups of people wanting to be photographed together. Often groups are of up to 30 people. Although we employ methods to fit these people in it is not easy when the width available is only 7’. So the increase to 9’ may only seem small but it is priceless!
- The material we have used in the past has meant that to obtain a deep black rear the subject to key light has needed to be small and the subject to backdrop greater. This obviously meant that the subject/s could not stand up against the backdrop and that the photographable area of the backdrop was diminished from 7’ to something nearer 4’
- Time saving
- The time saving was twofold. Firstly to just unfold the new backdrop and clip it up against the hi-lite took seconds. In the past trying to pin a sheet onto the Hi-Lite was so fiddly; having to try and ensure every crease and fold was smooth was a nightmare!
- Secondly, cloning time was reduced. The blackness is so rich and even we were able to print each image as shot without having to adjust levels of contrast or brightness. This arose from the fact that subject could stand a few millimetres from the backdrop without producing a shadow. Obviously this means the photographer can position subjects in the same position every time. Party goers natural instinct is to stand as close to the backdrop as possible. As you can imagine if you need them to stand on a mark every time, trying to manoevre drunk couples and gangs of men above the din of a band or disco is not an easy task!!!
CONS
- The internal steel is not rigid enough
- This leads to the top sagging down. At the moment it could not even relly be used successfully leant up against a wall, it would need to be clipped to a Hi-Lite or supported on bracket and stands
- This leads to the top sagging down. At the moment it could not even relly be used successfully leant up against a wall, it would need to be clipped to a Hi-Lite or supported on bracket and stands
- Transparency
- The backdrop needs a lining. At the venue we used it at there was a mirror behind which reflected back our lights through the backdrop fabric. Also if you intend to backlight or rim light then again the light “glows” through the fabric. Space is often at a premium so the lights and backdrop all are very close together
- The backdrop needs a lining. At the venue we used it at there was a mirror behind which reflected back our lights through the backdrop fabric. Also if you intend to backlight or rim light then again the light “glows” through the fabric. Space is often at a premium so the lights and backdrop all are very close together
- White Fluff
- Any white fluff around seems to be attracted like moths to a flame.
- Any white fluff around seems to be attracted like moths to a flame.
Conclusion
It was a joy to use and made both my job (as the photographer) and my assistant’s job (as the printer) so much easier than usual. When fully completed it will be a gem to anyone wishing to use low key photography at events. I just hope it goes into production
I hope this is of use to you,.
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