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Seamless Background Paper
I need some ideas on how to extend the life of background paper in my studio. A model or two with heels destroys the paper in a big hurry. A few have suggested plexiglass but to get a piece big enough and thick enough its $$$$. I am just getting my studio going so money is an issue right now. I was thinking of thin plywood painted the same color of the paper would work. Any ideas or input would be appreciated! Feb 13 08 08:54 pm Link If you have carpet a layer of cheap 3/8 plywood will work. Just make sure to get a b/c grade with one smooth side. i use a Luan plywood and place it under the paper Feb 13 08 08:56 pm Link Plywood is too heavy and what are you going to do when you get more colors? Don't be cheap, just cut off the edge. It's only $40 a roll. If you want to get a sheet of plywood to use below the paper that's okay but I use a chair protector, available in any office supply store. Paul Feb 13 08 09:01 pm Link Plexiglass isn't that expensive, and you don't want a huge sheet because they are heavy and not easy to move without cracking. I went to Home Depot and bought 2 sheets, 3 ft by 6 ft, 1/8 inch think for about $65 a sheet. It works very well and gives a nice reflection too. Feb 13 08 09:02 pm Link About Faces-Lynn wrote: ...re-floor your studio with wood or tile, mine is wood laminate wall to wall... Feb 13 08 09:05 pm Link Try using some thin wood underneath. I picked two sheets of about 4x4 and use these underneath backdrops. Just go to a hardware store like Home Depot and tell them what you need it for, they'll be able to help you out! Feb 13 08 09:11 pm Link Like the others, I used plywood panels to cover carpeting under the seamless. Some folks like using plexiglass on top, or beadboard for whites. There's some older discussions about that in the Lighting, Flash, Ring, & Battery Strobe Reference thread, in the studio section. * Keeping seamless paper looking clean * plexiglass "flooring" over seamless paper ? Feb 13 08 09:20 pm Link Plexi doesn't need to be thick. Feb 13 08 09:50 pm Link About Faces-Lynn wrote: Shoot upper body shots, Feb 13 08 09:51 pm Link I bought a 8x4' (3/4" thick) board and had it cut into 3 equal parts width wise- fits right in the living room closet. I usually tape the seams of the boards together to minimize any movement/ separation, and use weights or gaff tape to hold the edge of the seamless down. Seems to work ok for my needs. K. Allen Feb 13 08 09:59 pm Link Put down a laminate floor on top of the carpet. It looks cool, like wood, but is really inexpensive to do.  Mine is 12 ft wide by 16ft deep and is more than ample for my needs. Feb 13 08 10:14 pm Link I agree with Paul. Paper is cheap. But so am I. So I just roll it back and re-use it a few times, haha. If feet get in the shot, the scuffs on the photos are easy to remove in post. Although I would love me some plexiglass. Feb 13 08 10:15 pm Link About Faces-Lynn wrote: I wouldn't suggest plywood to rough and grainy, I'd try masonite, very smooth surface, paintable and light weight Feb 13 08 10:19 pm Link I think the masonite is what I have. It has a sort of slick surface. Feb 13 08 10:21 pm Link Paper needs to be used over a hard surface. Wood, laminate or vinyl...something smooth underneath. You can put a 4x8 sheet of plywood underneath if you have carpeting. I did that while I was renovating my studio only because the tile on the floor was broken and uneven. You can also prolong the cleanliness of the portion on the floor by cleaning the bottom of the model's shoes before they step on it. I can often do three or four shoots on white paper by keeping the shoes clean. That saves some major money in paper replacement. Feb 13 08 10:28 pm Link C Nguyen Photo wrote: I'm not sure what you are comparing the price of paper to, but I don't think it's necessarily cheap. I buy large 50 yard rolls of 9' wide paper. It costs about $175 a roll plus a significant shipping fee. I want to prolong the use of paper as much as possible. I agree about rolling it back up and reusing it unless there are obvious tears, holes and plentiful scuffs and footprints. Feb 13 08 10:35 pm Link I use white seamless a lot and use a 4x8 sheet of a white boad on top of the seamless. It is easy to clean,slightly refelctive, light and durable. Feb 13 08 10:37 pm Link Bill Mason Images wrote: I buy the 12 yard ones. Well. One so far for my 9ft. I've been using the same one since end of November. I'm 5'2, I don't think I can handle a 50 yard roll. Too heavy Feb 13 08 10:39 pm Link Hard floor is a must. Cleaning shoes first is also good. All I can add is: any small hole or tear needs to have a piece of masking tape behind it before it spreads. Also use tape along the edges to reinforce the paper and prevent tears spreading. As to paper getting dirty, many times a dust mop will get rid of dirt along the way. It only lasts so long though. Cutting off the bad section can be done quite a few times before you have to spend another 40 -45 dollars for a new roll. While the 12 yard rolls are common, you can save a little by buying the longer rolls and loading as much as your roller system can safely support. Feb 14 08 12:01 am Link Clear acetate, like the kind used on portfolio pages gives the protection you need AND the reflective quality of plexiglass. You can also wipe it down when you are done. Another good practice is to tape the bottoms of your models shoes before the shoot. It greatly reduces scuffing. Check your local art supply stores for the acetate. It should be available in rolls. Feb 14 08 12:09 am Link Bill Mason Images wrote: Join the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (http://www.photoshopuser.com). Feb 14 08 04:47 am Link Ken Rieves Photography wrote: looks nice! Feb 14 08 04:58 am Link I guess it all depends on if you want a shiny surface, matte surface, or what you want really. If you are laying the paper down on carpet, then you need something hard under or over the paper to protect it more. I suggest the plywood, laminate flooring, plexiglass, or possibly even particle board. Or, if all else fails...make the models go barefoot.  *joking...sort of* For those who think it's expensive for plexiglass and all...just be glad you aren't paying European prices. With the fact that one US dollar only equals 66 euro cents, I end up pretty much paying double what I would back home in the states for the same amount of wood/plexiglass. Ordering from B&H isn't an option for some things, since some items are just too big for an APO I believe... Feb 14 08 05:05 am Link About Faces-Lynn wrote: Don't worry about painting plywood... your paper can last longer... just having a hard surface under your paper will fix your problem. A single 4x8 sheet will probably do, I use two sheets of masonite. I remember when I first started I was using seamless on carpet with the same frustrations. You'll also find that without a hard surface under the paper a model will "sink in" to the paper if she's laying on it, no bueno. Feb 14 08 05:09 am Link i use tyvek material instead of paper...lasts waaaay longer, can be wiped off with a rag, and is lighter than paper. Dont really have to put anything underneath it either. Downside is the expense, but i found a guy 10 min from my house who sells 30ft rolls for $30 so no worries there either. Feb 14 08 07:31 am Link |
I have a few 4ft ones that are 12 yards too.
