Lastolite Hilite Backdrop - What Great Invention

When I see something great I like to share it here with my readers.

I read about this to day and it just looks like a great backdrop idea! I'd never seen anything like this before... Learn about it there and watch the videos to see it in action: http://www.lastolite.com/hilite-backgrounds.php

The website says:

"The HiLite backgrounds range allows the photographer to work in a way that was extremely difficult to achieve in the past, ‘High Key’ photography on location and in restrictive spaces. By rear lighting the white background itself there is no longer a need to use a background light behind the subject. Furthermore, because the background is actually illuminated it means the subject can stand virtually right in front of it without casting a shadow. The HiLite backgrounds also works as a large rear softbox and illuminates the subject as well, meaning you can use just one other flash head to light the subject from the front. What’s more, the whole thing is collapsible."

Too bad it's $473.95 (through B&H) or I would order it!

Make Your Own Photography Backdrop with Muslin & Westcott Background Support System

Last night I ordered a Westcott Background Support System 9014 with 2 Stands, Cross Bar & Bag from the recommendation of my friend Heather from One Shot Beyond Photography.

This Background Support System consists of two stands, a collapsible crossbar that extends to 10' 6", and a carrying case. The system supports both the 10' x 12' and 10' x 24' sheet backgrounds. Optional Background Clips (9016) attach to the Background Stands, and will allow you to add a second crossbar and hang an additional sheet background from the same set of stands. (I'll probably pick those up at another time since I forgot to add them when I placed the order).

I ordered it from Adorama in NYC. They are currently having a sale on this backdrop system. It's normally $174.10 and I got it for $159.00 with free shipping! To see the system on Adorama's website click here.

On another note...a while back I posed that I purchased a Black Muslin Backdrop from JO-ANN Fabrics. Well, today I decided to go back again to JO-ANN's and purchase some more Muslin for additional backdrops choices.

While I was there I was a bit disappointed that I wasn't able to find any Muslin in 144 inch widths like I found last time with the black Muslin that I purchased so I settled on the 108 inch width. That only gives me 9 feet wide to work with but I will have to live with it.

I didn't have as many colors to choose from as I wanted so I went for WHITE, RED and a PLUM (dark purple).

While I was at the store I heard one of the workers mention a coupon in the flyer available at the front of the store so I got one and the girl who cut my 3 fabric choices added in the 40% off discount on one the fabrics.

I was thinking "this is my lucky weekend!" Not only did I get the backdrop support system above at a deal I also was getting almost half off one of the backdrops.

Well, the weekend got luckier. When I went to ring up at the register I asked the young man at the register if I could ring up the backdrops as separate orders to get the 40% off each backdrop and instead of doing that he tried ringing 3 coupons in one order and it worked (one for each back drop! YAY!). I purchased 3 new Muslin backdrops for $64.45 IN TOTAL! What a steal!

I'm going to ask a few seamstresses for a price on sewing in a rod pocket on the my black backdrop and my 3 newer ones. That way I can easily slide them onto the rail.

Next time I'm in NYC I will have to stop at MOOD Fabrics and see what they have. I'm not sure how their prices are but it doesn't seem like there are many fabric stores around where I live and I really wanted some fun & funky backdrops.

The last deal of the weekend that I got today (since I don't have rod pockets on my backdrops yet) were Spring Clamps from the local HOME DEPOT.

The Spring Clamps were marked at $2.09 each in the aisle but when I got to the register they rung up at $.99 each!

I purchased 4 of them to hopefully do the trick with holding my backrop up on the new background support system. I figured 4 should (hopefully) evenly distribute the weight of the muslin fabric across the pole without sags.

The clamps will be useful for many different things so they are usefull to have on hand. If I buy some seamless paper the will hold the role of paper from rolling more paper out. For $.99 each you can't beat a deal!

I'm going to test this all out before my portrait shoot this Sunday...and that's if the background support system comes before then. I'm almost positive it will since I think Adorama has their warehouse in New Jersey. There's no way it can take 7-10 days (I pray!). I'd love to have it for Sunday.

Well, I just thought I would pass this information along to you all and I hope it can help someone else!

Learning Something New Everyday!

Just go a link to this article on the forum I belong to regarding "dragging the shutter" - I swear I learn a new thing everyday!

I just have to remember to try out all of the new techniques I learn and remember how to do them when the time is right.

To read the article from Neil van Niekerk click here: DRAGGING THE SHUTTER

After reading through that article I checked out the rest of the site and it has a lot of great reading material regarding shooting with a flash and a ton of other very usefull information. Click here to go to the homepage of Neil van Niekerk's site WWW.PLANETNEIL.COM

Another link with helpful backdrop ideas was also shared with me today. I thought I'd share it with readers of this blog:

http://www.fjwestcott.com/fjw.com/products/backgrounds/all.htm


My friend Tiffany finalized her Christmas card today. This is the final version:

Baby Eric!

Today was baby Eric's photoshoot and it went very well. Between cries I think we got some really great holiday themed photos.

The fabric worked out really well once we found a way to rig up. We used a very large armoir that holds the TV in the family room. We shut the doors and hung the material on top of the TV stand with heavy free weights.

I need to get some kind of stand evenutally if I am to keep doing this kind of thing. We put a folded blanket under the muslin that came down across the floor so the baby would be lying on it. Then we used his boppy for the ones where we didn't have something to prop under his arms (like the stocking, etc).

I had to lay on my stomach in front of him to take the photos straight on. So, the only thing I might try next time is putting him on a table and hanging the backdrop behind him so I can sit on a chair in front of him to shoot the shots. I got tired getting up and down from a laying down position every time I wanted to adjust something but you live and learn!

Next time I do back at the end of December we are going to try different things so it will all be practice.

The only thing I noticed about the muslin is that it atracts every pieces of lint but then again what material doesn't? At least I heard it's easy to wash...but I guess everytime I wash it I have to IRON IT!!! By the way...I had to iron it! It took quite a while but I was worried the creases would show. Now I'm not so sure the creases would have even shown with the way I only lit the scene with a couple overhead recessed lights and the flash with the Gary Fong Lightsphere (with the white cap over it).

I think I should have bumped up the dimmer on the over head lights because I'm finding the unedit versions very dark and I need to boost the brightness on them.

I'm uploading the unedited originals and when they load my friend is going to pick out the ones she likes most so I can edit those first (that way she can order her Holiday Cards).

Then I will slowy work on my favorites of the day doing the usual assortments of treatments, etc.

My favorite are the ones where he is lying on the towels over the laundry basket - they are soooo cute! Julie thought this was the cutest picture and I must say I agree - it's one of my other favorites of the day:

Backdrops - Make Your Own!

I think I will be heading out tonight to buy some fabric for use as backdrops.

Definitely black but I may also get a white one...I'll have to see what they have when I go. I also have to figure out what kind of fabric will work for photography...can't be too shiny or to sheer...ugh, I hope this doesn't turn out to be a nightmare in choosing. :)

I found this site that talks about what you can buy (fabric-wise) and I printed this to take with me: http://www.betterphoto.com/exploring/MakingBackDrops.asp

I also found this DIY site that talks about making your own colored backdrop:

Cheap DIY (Homemade) Muslin Photography Background

Spice up your home made muslin backdrop

Tomorrow I'm photographing my friend's newborn baby. This will be my first time photographing a baby so this is all good experience. She wants to use one for the family's Christmas card which is so nice. That will be 2 Christmas cards with my photos this year. I love that! :)

I'll be sure to share some once I edit them!

------Update------

I just got back from JoAnn Fabrics store and I picked 4.33 yards of black Muslin. It was 7.99 a yard (AAACK!) I bet I could have found it much cheaper elsewhere but I didn't care because I needed something for tomorrow.

I got it 108 inches wide because that was the largest width they had in black. Now, I have no experience at all with this kind of thing so I couldn't even tell you if this fabric will work. I hope it's not too thin or two wrinklely...well the wrinkle problem can be handled with an iron (yuck...ironing...uuughhh)but the too thin will be very bad.

I know nothing about lighting but I hope that the flash and some room lights will work (I pray). But, this is all experimental so I'm not worried. :)

EDIT: Oh! I just got a link to this great DIY backdrop hanger. I think a trip to IKEA might be in order: http://yellowfence.blogspot.com/2007/06/cool-photo-backdrop.html


My great friend Julie has shared some wonderful photographers to look at examples of their work for tons of great ideas. THANKS JULIE!

FOOTPRINTS PHOTOGRAPHY

JAMIE HAMMOND PHOTOGRAPHY


EDITED 3/31/08 - MORE BACKDROP INFORMATION:

See this post for more information on backdrops I obtained "cheap" and info. on backdrop stands:

http://jenweaverphotography.blogspot.com/2008/03/make-your-own-photography-backdrop-with.html