Recommendation on white background/backdrop? Trying to achieve the Picture People effect

Most of those high key shots appear to have the background removed in post processing. If that's the case, it doesn't matter what you use for a backdrop, you could stand your subject in front of a black wall and achieve the same effect. However, there are steps you can take to make the time required in Photoshop is minimal. First I'd use paper, paper is always smooth and it reflects light better than muslin. The reflected light is what gives these shots the angelic glow. Muslin has texture and wrinkles and both will reduce the pure white effect. Second, you're going to need a lot of light. At least 2, one pointed directly at the backdrop and one on your subject. I've always used 3, so I'm not 100% sure that 2 is enough, but it's worth a shot. Once you get the shot in Photoshop you'll probably find the pure white backdrop is mostly gray, adjust the brightness and you should be able to achieve the look without having to manually remove the backdrop or painting in pure white.

Adorama sells lots of different sizes and colors of seamless background paper. It's pricey, but you get a long roll that can be used many times.

You should visit your local photo store to purchase Seamless Paper backgrounds, the shipping from Adorama or B&H will exceed the price of the paper because of the size (9' long). Picture people use lots of strobes (Alien Bees) in large (36X48") softboxes to produce lots of light with soft shadows.

In their local shop, you can watch the sessions through the windows and see how they do it.

<Chas>

Paper for backgrounds is available in rolls. It is ideal for seamless backdrops without any wrinkles, and can be pulled out under the subject so there is no floor seam. Paper is expensive and HEAVY, so you need expensive support gear as well. Canvas hangs smoother than muslin.

The trick with a white background is to eliminate shadows. Picture People do this by using a large soft box high and centered. If soft lighting is suitable (certainly for children), this works better than a separate background light.

Paper also lasts longer if you can use it on hard flooring instead of carpet. There are some good deals around right now on a roll of white Savage paper with a Savage background support. I think for around $99. If you need the white background to drop out, I'd probably stay away from material that would wrinkle.

Thank you so much for all the response! That's what I needed to know... SEAMLESS PAPER is what I need. I figured about the lighting in order to avoid shadow and also have been studying their setup and did see their huge lightbox right on the center above.

I'll check out adorama and also local photo store nearby. I guess the consensus to replicate this type of photo is seamless paper from a roll. The lighting equipment will be another purchase order that my wife will have to approve. ;)

Here are a few more ideas. If you're on a budget, go to a flooring outlet store, construction freight outlet, or a home store and get vinyl flooring the length you need. Any obnoxious color will do, find a closeout or something cheap. Paint the [b]BACK[/b] of it bright white, preferably painting the wall part semi-gloss and the floor part white. Neatness does not count. After painting, attach it to the wall. Put a board under it for stability. (Your wife will quit screaming after a few hours) Scuffs barely show, just hit them with a bit of paint if they get bad. My high-key looks good with this background. I have a smaller black velvet and a CD or off-the-net background for paintery canvas looks, and that's all I have. The best thing you can have is a Photoshop type program with a function to mask your subject. With that you can completely change background or use the digital airbrush to clean up or soften any shadows. The high key only works for me with two background flashes, I have trouble with floor shadows with a high light only. I've made hundreds of combinations like this. Some people buy ChromaKey backgrounds to do background drop-ins, but I've never tried it.

I work for the picture people so i might be able to help you. As far as lighting, that one post is correct as far as the Alien Bee's shadow box/flash thing. We use that as our main flash and it's huge. As far as the other lighting, we use what we call a Hair Light. It's a flash that is located directly above the subject. The backdrops are not really made of paper. They are kind of the same texture as like something a movie or film projector would be shown on. I cant remember where they are actually from (I knew the name once but have forgotten). I know that we get some of our colored backdrops from Denny's. You could probably get the white one from them also.

I hope this helps - I realize this is an old post but I ran across it and thought I would contribute what I know.