Sravan Nerella , Dec 12, 2003; 07:16 a.m.
I am trying to buy a background, but was planning on using gels to
light them up and reduce
the number of colors I need to Buy. I tried to find if any body has
done this before. I see
from the other forum members that it seems like an idea used by
many. I have few questions
about this. But before I go into them let me explain what I am
planning to use this for.
I am trying to do portraiture. For the most part location, but
sometimes need the studio
effect and so am looking for portable solution for the background. I
have a White Lightening X800
Monobloc/strobe
light that I plan to use for the background lighting. I am planning
to get their GEL Kit and
use it to light a
background.
What color backgroud is best for this? I thought grey might be good
but which grey?
Does this technique always result in light backgrounds? If I want
saturated colors is it
possible?
What grey should the background be so that I can get both light
colors and dark colors
using them? Is one Background of lets say 18% grey/ Payne Grey
(Slightly green)/ Studio Grey
/ neutral grey suffice or do I have to have a darker shade of grey
to get darker effects?
I know that giving more seperation between subject and background or
reducing the
background lights tend to darken the background but I will be
working with limited space
and so need to start off with darker backgrounds where needed.
Is paper better or muslin better for this type of use?
Also for this technique to give best results should the light be
behind the background or
in front (I think this question is pertinent only to muslin as
muslin is not completely
opaque)
If I have a background which has a hot spot of light grey with dark
grey around it will the
use of this colored backlighting still leave the hotspot in the
final image of the
background?
How does this technique come out for old masters type muslins (I am
still talking grey but
with various tones of grey)
Also is it possible to use the same Muslin with one side one shade
and another side another
darker shade? If so any tips on how to make this type of muslins? I
can try and dye them
but none of the other threads in the forum give any instructions on
doing dual color
muslins. - Maybe this should be a seperate Question but I stuck it
in here.
kevin kolosky 
, Dec 12, 2003; 08:19 a.m.
Black paper is the best for this technique as it will give you the truest and most saturated colors. the light should be in front of the background.
you should run a test for each color gel that you plan to use so that you know what intensity to use on your light for the amount of color you want. to do that, you set your light up the way you are going to use it and then you put a gray card on the background without any gels on your light and you meter that with a relfective flash meter to give you an 18 percent gray reading. then you shoot a photo of that gray card. next, you put a gel on and use various power ratings for each gel you use and shoot a picture of each. then you have the lab print them all for the exact same time as the proper printing of the gray card. you will then have prints to match any intensity that you want.
Make sure and talk this over with your lab manager first to see how he/she wants to do it, and make sure you keep good records of what you are doing so you know what is what.
As far as Muslins go, try Amvona. They make absolutely gorgeous muslins.
Kevin
Tom Meyer 
, Dec 12, 2003; 06:51 p.m.
there is no one size fits all backdrop, with gels on not. Buy a white, a black and a grey, then buy a bunch of gels... t
this backdrop is painted black and lit with a deep blue gel in a grid
