Toronto Photography Meetup Group

Hi

I've decided that I'd like to look into purchasing some back drops (black and white muslins and stands). Since I find myself more and more doing portraits. Since quite a few of you have been doing this for a while I figure I would seek your advice.

Questions:

(1) I see a variety of sizes out there. Though most of the time I would be shooting 1 or 2 people. The odd time a child. What would be the ideal size?

(2) I also need my setup to be portable (since it will be going to peoples houses to setup). I was thinking of purchasing some collapsible light stands. My only concern here is safety because of children. Any opinions on the best option?

(3) Since I do want to stay portable it looks like muslin will be the best option for me. Any recommendations on places to buy simple backdrops (specific ebay sellers, stores, etc).

Thanks

Vistek maybe?

Vistek and Henrys .... yeah we all know how they take us to town on prices. I guess you were joking?

unless you get the 9' roll, the stands, support bar and seamless will all fit in a ski bag.

I'm not sure it's a joke. I checked around when i was shopping for paper and ended up with Vistek. Bought 3 rolls of 107".
With shipping costs for Ebay sellers, it didn't make sense to me.

I thought the 53" versions were too small to shoot full body shots unless they stand straight up. I think two people or more might be a squeeze, unless you're just doing headshots of them IMO.

Muslims aren't so bad if you buy them from ebay, since it can be folded down to a much smaller size.

For seamless paper then yeah vistek or even henrys since shipping those things 6' to 9' of paper is not cheap.

make sure your car is really long! I had to transport a 9' roll once barely fit in the accord lol..

Since I do photography in peoples' homes, I cut the 9 ft roll of seamless down to 7 ft (with a hand saw). Easier to transport and more room to set up in their homes. At home, I have a full 9ft roll set up. I find cloth / muslin ok to use when not doing full body shots.

Did some looking and the 10 X12 muslins at vistek are $169

Ebay you can get them from the US for $40 USD shipped via USPS. This means.
$40 USD X current conversion rate
$5 flat customs fee and Canadian border
$5.37 Ontario tax

So even if I pay $70 there is a big price difference.

Though Henrys has some backgrounds you can bid on too.

check CL for lightly used muslin...

wasn't joking, you can see and touch some

Incase you are looking for seamless, Headshots have seamless paper rolls 107" x 36 on sale for $52 over the regular price $69.99

if you want to be creative, the big box home improvement stores have cloth backdrops. 16x12 of heavy cotton cloth can be had for about #$30. Smaller sizes are available as well.

These cloths are grayish in color. You can dye it yourself or use color filters on your lights.

Henry's Outlet Centre has a load of muslins from when they took over Amvona. I picked up a 20x30 for $89.99. Nice, heavy, no creases.