[Raymo]

Hi Folks

Bit of advice please , I've been asked to take some pictures at a clients house of 3 children and the end result will be a Chrissy present for the childrens Grandparents, now I've done clients houses before and I'm pretty sick of distracting backgrounds etc , so my train of thought is that I need a backdrop, but I'm not sure what to go for...., the room is not huge approx 18'x 24' a bit cluttered with furniture in it, so I will have to move stuff around so I can get my lighting equipment in, so any ideas as to relevant kit?? Many Thanks

[Photoestudios]

full length or close up? close up they have twist flex backdrops

TwistFlex Backdrops | Denny Backdrops

but for full length i just use like a 8ft by 10 ft back drop and i normally only need about a 8ft by 12 to use it in... 3 ft of it is on the floor... how old are the kids?

[Raymo]

Originally Posted by Photoestudios

full length or close up? close up they have twist flex backdrops

TwistFlex Backdrops | Denny Backdrops

but for full length i just use like a 8ft by 10 ft back drop and i normally only need about a 8ft by 12 to use it in... 3 ft of it is on the floor... how old are the kids?

Thanks for the link I will have a look, the chirldren are 2, 12 & 15, I was thinking along the full length scenario.

Thanks again

[Dutchie]

Hey you've got your D700 and a few new lenses. Let me have a search. But vikingphotography came up with a collapsible one. And that looked really good, not to big either.

This one, but not sure if that is what you wanted: http://www.pixalo.com/community/phot...box-24870.html

[sejanus]

Portable backdrop systems never are! Make sure you spend plenty of time getting used to setting it up and puting it away.

[Dave]

Have you seen the room yet ? If you could stick to half body shots , as long as they have a plain(ish) wall, pose them four feet in front, use a wide aperture & blow the background out. Much easier than having to setup backgrounds & tbh I am not a fan of the mottled coloured backgrounds anyway. Reminds me of school photos

Example :-

If you go the full length route, especially white, then you really need more than 2 lights, which makes life even more complicated.

Some of the best portrait shot's I've seen are usually around weddings. 99% of these are taken in situ, with no special backgrounds. If you can think like these wedding photographers, when they are shooting the bride getting ready at home etc, then why not adapt that style to your kids portraits.

I recently viewed a DVD of an australian portrait photographer who had 3 simple steps to some stunning portraits (albeit mainly outdoors)

1. Find an interesting background
2. Finding an interesting foreground
3. Ensure the lighting is correct

By placing the person between 1 & 2, if you get 2 points right you get a good photo. If you get all 3 right, you get a WOW photo.

Taking this in a house, for #1 you could have a fireplace, a door frame, a diagonal of a staircase. For #2 you could have them crouching behind a stool, or chair , rest arms on top. For #3 , if lucky you can deal with just natural light from a large window, use flash or studio lighting.

Add to this if you convert to mono, the potentially distracting mixture of background colours can become a texture that compliments the photo , you have lots of options to play with.

Examples :-

Just my 2p worth

[Raymo]

Mmmmm, some food for thought there , thanks to everyone for thier input, much appreciated.