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In defense of the "Bed Sheet" backdrops
Ahh.. now my turn to light a fire perhaps. I've read on so many different sites the "boo hiss" comments about photographers using bed sheets as backdrops. Well, I'm one of 'em and here's why! I shoot exclusively ON-LOCATION. I must remain compact & portable and I have little space behind the seats in my truck!!.. Oh it get's better.... I use solid color, queen or king size sheets exclusively. Yes, I'm on a budget! How do I use them? Like drapery!.. I hang them between two uprights, stretch them between the uprights and if necessary, spray some Downy "Wrinkle Releaser" if the folds are too noticeable. Now my secret.. I choose a color backdrop that does NOT appear in the color the model is wearing. If my depth-of-field is shallow enough, the wrinkles or creases will be blurred. If not, using Photoshop, I will "lift" the model out of that environment, create a new background or use a stock background photo and build a composite. It's not a new techinique but has proven a very valuable tool for me. So, I'm a cheap photographer ? NOPE. just practical and making the best of what I have available. Your Turn... ( Be kind please lol ) Mar 31 06 05:06 pm Link This is photography. If you can't tell it's a bed sheet, it's not a bed sheet. But if you can tell, it's an abomination. Mar 31 06 05:10 pm Link go buy a roll of seamless. If you're driving a truck it will plop right down in to the bed no problem...then you can free up that space behind your seats for some subwoofers or something Mar 31 06 05:12 pm Link You can buy real muslin backgrounds for not a lot more than a good bedsheet. They're even *supposed* to look wrinkled. Mar 31 06 05:13 pm Link Can't knock the hustle. Mar 31 06 05:13 pm Link James Jackson wrote: I shot in Atlanta last weekend. Put a 9' roll on the top of my SUV (*hissssss....*). Worked out great. Mar 31 06 05:14 pm Link nothing wrong with using a bed sheet..... unless its all wrinkled and nasty looking with spots on it and stuff loll use whatever you use in a good way and all is good....... I personally like to go to fabric stores(fave spot) and get cool fabrics and use them as backdrops. I keep them hanged up so they dont get creases or wrinkles... I also have like 10 different seamless paper backdrops too, but those you just roll up. Mar 31 06 05:15 pm Link When people complain about 'bedsheet photographers', they typically are referring to either novices or GWC's that think that using a bedsheet make's 'em a pro. Yes, its fine to use a bedsheet WHEN it's properly set up as a background... where the cameras focus point is on the model and the bedsheet turns into a blurry haze. I don't think anyone would have a problem with that. It's when the opposite occurs (and usually does), where the sheet is in focus, often wrinkled and sometimes even... errr.... ummm.... (ahem)... STAINED is when we have a problem. Those type of pictures is what makes the situation a stereotype. Mar 31 06 05:18 pm Link Thanks for the comments.. keep 'em coming.. In Texas ( as I'm sure in other locations ) the weather may be perfect when I leave to go on a shoot. I used to keep my backdrop rolled up and inside a large PVC container in the back of the truck. Even then, after a sudden downpour, the backdrop was soaking wet. So.. a seamless roll of paper would be destroyed. Depth of field is always considered when I shoot, indoors or out. I had a portrait done some years ago and the muslin backdrop had a pattern that you couldn't tell if it was wrinkled or not. Some day when I'm independently wealthy.. I'll finance a studio. On 2nd thought, why do that when most or all of my time is ON-LOCATION ??? Mar 31 06 05:33 pm Link TXPhotog wrote: Right on! Mar 31 06 05:36 pm Link EBAY......great source for cheap backdrops....polycanvas(very rigid, no wrinkles)...i get em at 13.00 per 6x9...many colors.....savage paper on ebay , i am getting it for 25 a roll shipped.....cheaper than bedsheets......cant beat the prices....i also have to agree that fabric stores are awesome.......But I do have to agree that paper makes a huge difference and is worth the investment.....you can get about 45 colors in paper and then a good backlight with gels give more variety..... Mar 31 06 05:41 pm Link You know, I have a solid color muslin backdrop but I think it looks like a bedsheet. what do I need to watch out for? Are there examples of what pictures with bedsheets look like? Mar 31 06 10:33 pm Link It's not what you use. It's how you use it. Mar 31 06 10:36 pm Link I would say "I ask the jury to convict based on lack of adequate defense." Many good suggestions already made for alternatives to bedsheets. James Mar 31 06 10:38 pm Link Muslin (or sheets, or whatever) seems fine to me when you use it right.. The problem is everyone seems to want to use muslin like seamless paper.. And it's not! If you want flat, go paper.. If you're using cloth.. Add in some volume, some texture.. Let the damn things drape.. Not every background needs to be flat.. Mar 31 06 10:39 pm Link So what's the excuse for the dirty bedsheet lingering behind this models head? Dare I ask what the stain is.  https://modelmayhem.com/pic.php?pic_id=442d90655e3e4 Mar 31 06 10:39 pm Link Back in the old days, when I was just a wee lad, hard-working women folk had a tool they called an iron. That darned thing would take the wrinkles out of anything, no doubt about it. Rumor has it you can still get something simlilar at a place called Wallmart. They say they don't weigh as much as the authentic ones, and they require electricity, but that's pretty far fetched. I'm sure it's just a myth. Mar 31 06 10:40 pm Link Envy wrote: Cum stains are acceptable if they are your own. Mar 31 06 10:41 pm Link John Jebbia wrote: Oh my John, I think I just turned 4 different shades of red here. Mar 31 06 10:44 pm Link Envy wrote: That is pretty nasty looking. I don't want to know. Mar 31 06 10:46 pm Link Envy wrote: Oh My! Mar 31 06 10:50 pm Link dncphotos wrote: I agree! Mar 31 06 10:52 pm Link Thats the OP pictures that is disgusting atleast washed the sheets. I really dont want to know what it is. Or atleast photoshop the damn stain or something just ewwwwwwwwww Mar 31 06 10:53 pm Link Envy wrote: LMAO!!! Mar 31 06 10:53 pm Link Envy wrote: Did you quote me so that I can never take back what I said? I am waiting for all of the "I'm offended!" replies to start flooding in. Mar 31 06 10:55 pm Link I have a question. If you shoot mostly on location, then why are you using backdrops? You mean on location, like outdoors, right? I assume that's what you mean because it says you like to shoot outdoors in your port. I fail to see the point of taking a model to a beautiful scenic location and putting up a backdrop. Unless the wife doesn't know about this new hobby. Then it makes sense. Mar 31 06 10:59 pm Link Envy wrote: Oh, I saw that line of sheets on QVC.. It's the Lewinsky line.. If they're king sized must be the Presidential Edition.. (You can tell by the watermark.) Mar 31 06 11:00 pm Link Envy wrote: Hummm....................... Nevermind but that shit needs to be washed out or something. You use the sheets after the shoot not before Mar 31 06 11:08 pm Link Envy wrote: This, ladies and gentleman, would fall under the designation of "proper fucked." Mar 31 06 11:10 pm Link Jay Bowman wrote: Wonder if the model is thinking, "Haha. You missed me!" Mar 31 06 11:12 pm Link John Jebbia wrote: Thanks. Coca-cola... all over my keyboard now. Mar 31 06 11:16 pm Link Just as the camera that you use shouldn't matter neither should backdrops. But you have to know what you're doing. Mar 31 06 11:16 pm Link So I guess that just ruled out the use of bedsheets as backdrops, eh? lol Mar 31 06 11:16 pm Link John Jebbia wrote: Yes. Mar 31 06 11:17 pm Link John Jebbia wrote: I'm wondering if the image needs to be marked 18+? Mar 31 06 11:18 pm Link Yeah he hasn't reply I think he got embarrased...... Mar 31 06 11:18 pm Link Yeah he hasn't reply I think he got embarrased...... Mar 31 06 11:18 pm Link WG Rowland wrote: Dammit! I'm gonna need a new keyboard since I just spit beer all over this one! That's most certinly a presidential "seal". Mar 31 06 11:18 pm Link JM Dean wrote: lol. Mar 31 06 11:19 pm Link hmmmm... Maybe I shoulda bought stock in Logitech today. Seems there's gonna be a run on keyboards and monitors this weekend. Mar 31 06 11:20 pm Link |
