|
|
|
| How To
Set Up and Use Photo Background Paper |
|
 There
are many advantages to using paper as a photo background:
-
Background paper provides a
very smooth sweep
-
Paper is inexpensive
-
It can be easily cut to size
-
Color is very consistent
from roll to roll
-
Ideally suited for product
photography
When you purchase
a roll of photo background paper for the first time, there are a few things
you need to know that will keep it in good shape and prevent disasters that
can damage background paper.
Read carefully: |
Storing Background
Paper
|
|
 To
prevent paper roll warping, always store background paper vertically.
This requires a ceiling height greater than 9 feet high for 107" long
paper. Several companies sell a foam paper griping system (shown
here) with an adhesive back to allow simple attachment to a wall. Once
the grip is attached to the wall, your paper rolls can be pushed into the
openings and will be held in place vertically.
An alternative is to store
the paper in 4" PVC pipe with end caps. See "Transporting Background
Paper" below. |
| |
|
|
 When
installing a roll of background paper on a portable or a wall-mounted
background support system, ALWAYS put the paper roll on a rigid
horizontal pole. The cardboard tube inside the roll is not strong enough
to prevent warping, it needs to be supported by a rigid metal pole. Many
vendors sell a background roller support system without horizontal
poles. If the paper roll is hung from the rollers only, it will quickly
warp under its own weight, rendering it unusable. Warped paper is almost
impossible to straighten and when warped paper is unrolled, the paper has
horizontal creases across the full length of the roll. This happens
within a few hours of mounting a roll without the support poles. The
wall-mounted photo background support systems by ALZO Digital always
includes horizontal bars (poles). |
| |
Avoiding Paper Roll
Out
|
Once the roll is mounted
on a pole, you're ready for the roll out process. If you're alone, you
want to have a grip device, such as a clamp, ready,
 so
you can lock the roll in position and prevent roll out. Stand on one side
of the roll, use one of your hands to unroll the paper slowly, then
attach the grip. It is important to never roll out too much paper in the
beginning and to do it slowly. If done too quickly, the roll can
completely unravel and leave you with a jumbled mass of paper. Its always
better to have an assistant to help set up a background. |
| |
Cutting background
paper
|
|
 The
best way to cut photo background paper is with an envelope cutter.
Example shown here
|
Transporting
Background Paper
|
| If you are considering
transporting 9' wide background paper, purchase PVC 4" drain pipes with
end caps from a plumbing supply store. You can find PVC pipes at
United States Plastic Corp. The pipes can easily be mounted on a rack
on top of your car. The pipes with end caps are watertight and protect
your paper from the elements. These pipes can also be used to store
the paper laying flat. |
| |
Lighting a
Background
|
|
There is a prevalent
perception that a 3-point light system is the ideal lighting solution.
Actually it is the minimum lighting configuration as it does not include
background lights. Professional photography studios typically utilize
more than 5 lights for subject and background illumination.
Background lighting can
involve from 1 to 4 or 5 lights depending on application. Here are some
examples:
-
1 Up or 1 Spot Light - Low
key, dark background, typical male portraits
-
2 Side Lights - Small
background, almost even illumination
-
3 Lights - Larger
background almost even illumination and contrast effects
-
4 or 5 Lights - Larger
background full illumination, White-out background,
Chroma key
background
|
| |
Background Paper
Manufacturers
|
|
Superior Specialties is the largest manufacturers of photographic
seamless background papers made in the USA. Super Spec paper is available
at
ALZO Digital. There is a
variety of photo background papers available, such as
seamless solid color paper,
graduated paper,
specialty paper,
and hand-painted
photo backgrounds. |
|
| |
| |
|
