OrcaBob
Lead Photographer
Frank Zappa lives
Posts: 394
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Post by OrcaBob on Nov 20, 2009 3:51:11 GMT -5
Another first for me: high-key portrait work with a metallic background. The background material is insulation I got from a hardware center. It's essentially foil-coated bubble-wrap. It turned out to be extremely easy to work with. It can be stapled to drywall with a standard office-type stapler. Any wrinkles from rolling it are quickly worked out by running your hands across the foil. The bubble-wrap under the foil gives a wonderful headstart to any Bokeh tendencies your lens might have. Because of its high reflectivity it's hard to light evenly, but that can produce some interesting results. I've gotta play with this material more. Attachments:
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OrcaBob
Lead Photographer
Frank Zappa lives
Posts: 394
|
Post by OrcaBob on Nov 20, 2009 3:54:28 GMT -5
I used a blue gel on the light hitting the backdrop. What I wasn't expecting was the mix of blue and white light on the backdrop. The textured surface picked up lights other than the one on the floor lighting it most directly. Attachments:
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OrcaBob
Lead Photographer
Frank Zappa lives
Posts: 394
|
Post by OrcaBob on Nov 20, 2009 3:56:13 GMT -5
And this one, we just went nuts with the red light. Nicole was wearing "pleather" pants and they picked up the light nicely. I want to retry this look with a fog machine. Attachments:
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Post by Steve (FloppyDog) on Nov 20, 2009 10:39:41 GMT -5
Bob, you have really made great use of this material, resourceful and impressive. I especially like the third one with the guitar, it looks like you shot this on stage.
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Post by juanita on Nov 20, 2009 10:48:14 GMT -5
You are soooo goood at this...I like the way you just go and do! These turned out super...
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Post by john101477 on Nov 20, 2009 10:58:39 GMT -5
Very nice shots Bob. Great use of odd background material
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OrcaBob
Lead Photographer
Frank Zappa lives
Posts: 394
|
Post by OrcaBob on Nov 20, 2009 12:14:35 GMT -5
Bob, you have really made great use of this material, resourceful and impressive. I especially like the third one with the guitar, it looks like you shot this on stage. That guitar look was total serendipity. We planned on shooting in her garage and when I walked in there was this pile of stuff in front of the wall I wanted to use. Behind the junk was this big amplifier. And next to it, a guitar case. BINGO! We'd been planning on doing a very dark "Matrix" look with her, but we didn't have the exact wardrobe for it. This worked out pretty well, though I now want to redo it with more effects. |
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Post by jimhobson on Nov 20, 2009 14:47:23 GMT -5
Bob,
Instead of stapling it, did you ever think of a portable background flat?
I made some out of 1" PVC pipe. Free standing and if you don't glue them they come apart for transporting. I've draped muslin, sheer curtains, painted backdrops, etc. I've even stretched shoot through material to make a large diffuser. I'll get some pix if you want. I got the idea from Dean Collins.
Nice shots. I like the blue one or #2. Very interesting use of creative lighting.
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OrcaBob
Lead Photographer
Frank Zappa lives
Posts: 394
|
Post by OrcaBob on Nov 20, 2009 15:35:16 GMT -5
I've planned on making a collapsible PVC frame for a big sunswatter.
This new backdrop material, though, is extremely easy to manage on a raw wall with only tiny wire staples. It punctures the corner bubbles, but I can keep stapling those corners with no discernible change to the quality of the backdrop.
If I had to use this material inside a nice house, I'd consider putting the material on a frame, but shooting in a garage I don't think anybody will mind pinholes in the drywall.
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Post by john101477 on Nov 20, 2009 17:41:26 GMT -5
A frame would be nice to have. Something semi universal that can hold a back drop or a sunswatter as you put it. hmmm I have an idea. be back later.
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