Backdrop colors

[Lalakai]

okay, making a backdrop and considering the best colors to use. This will be a portable setup so I can't be taking 5 different color drops. One will be an off-white, but for the second one I'm not sure. Right now I'm planning on going with cloth though that may change. I've experimented with dark browns, and deep black, but also looking at dark blue or mid range green. Most of the shooting involving these will be with bounce flash, possibly a fill flash if needed. Situations can range from individual portraits to large groups (anticipating a back drop 9' tall by 12' wide). The chromatic responses will have to be evaluated but hopefully someone can give me personal experiences of what they have used in the past and what has worked best for them.

So don't be shy and don't worry about responses; i'm looking for any and all experiences with backdrop colors and their successes or failures. Thanks.

 

[foghorn67]

Can you clarify "chromatic" and usage? Is this chroma key?
If so, you need more lights. Chroma key backgrounds must be evenly lit if you want an easy/no time masking.

I would start with white or light tabs/grays.
Why? You always have the option to have a light background if you expose for it. And you can option to have a dark background by under exposing it.

 

[foghorn67]

Re-read your post. It looks like you already have something bright and almost white.
I would go with brown patterned. These are great at invoking drama. And are easier to underexpose if you need a dark or pitch black background.

 

[Lalakai]

perhaps I used "chromatic response" incorrectly; when used with bounce or fill flash, I didn't want the backdrop materials giving me inconsistent colors. Going with brown for the second color is one that i've already used and had decent results, though my biggest issue with brown is that in several shots it seems to be very "blah" (lol excuse the non-specific description), not helping with contrast and almost making it seem like the subjects were part of the background. Each color will have those instances, but i was hoping to hear if someone had luck with more of a universal color, besides white or black.

 

[Paladin3]

I don't understand your concern over color inconsistencies. Are you mixing different color temperature light sources? Are you lighting your subject and background with a single bounced strobe alone or mixing it with the available light?

I like to light my background separately when I do studio portraits, usually with a light low and behind the subject. I sometimes use two lights, one on each side, if I need a large background evenly lit. By lighting the background separately you can adjust the light level to achieve exactly the color you want.

All of this assumes you are not mixing different color light.

 

[foghorn67]

perhaps I used "chromatic response" incorrectly; when used with bounce or fill flash, I didn't want the backdrop materials giving me inconsistent colors. Going with brown for the second color is one that i've already used and had decent results, though my biggest issue with brown is that in several shots it seems to be very "blah" (lol excuse the non-specific description), not helping with contrast and almost making it seem like the subjects were part of the background. Each color will have those instances, but i was hoping to hear if someone had luck with more of a universal color, besides white or black.

You need to learn how to light. Even if you use a cheap umbrella setup, you can get consistent results lighting your subject with gentle light falloffs, and giving your background some pop. With a large group however, you are likely going to need more lights. More main lights, and/or a background light.

I think you are depending on your cameras metering to substitute your fill light and your background exposure....it will almost always leads to "blah" backgrounds.

 

[Lalakai]

looks like I may have to revisit some of the basics. i rarely use studio lights in the portable settings, depending on bounces and slave flashes, and maybe that's why my backdrop colors aren't giving me what I want. time to experiment more. thanks

 

[SecurityTheatre]

looks like I may have to revisit some of the basics. i rarely use studio lights in the portable settings, depending on bounces and slave flashes, and maybe that's why my backdrop colors aren't giving me what I want. time to experiment more. thanks

Simple way to make a subject not look like "part of the backdrop" is a back light or hair light.

One option, place a small strobe behind the person and light the backdrop separately and some of that will contribute to back lighting as well. I've seen that setup work quite well.