View Full Version : Can anyone recommend a portable background


Kevin Lewis
February 14th, 2014, 08:05 PM
I'm looking for some sort of portable background for corporate interviews. Can anyone make a recommendation? I do my share of green screen but that's not what i'm looking for.

Finn Yarbrough
February 14th, 2014, 08:16 PM
This one is pretty portable and versatile: Impact Background Support System - 12' Wide 3046 B&H Photo Video

You can use ordinary curtains if you want instead of backdrop paper, as I did in the attached picture.

Don Bloom
February 14th, 2014, 08:41 PM
I've used king sized sheets but I make sure they're ironed as smooth as possible OR throw them a bit out of focus. The problem with sheets is they wrinkle pretty bad when you fold them up.
The other possibility is Amazon. Search "photo backgrounds". While not a sponsor here they are pretty low cost and I've had great success with the backgrounds. The do offer some various sizes and types...solid and portrait so you've got a choice but the reason I suggest them is price.

Robert Benda
February 14th, 2014, 09:00 PM
We bought a photographer's backdrop from Amazon but went to the fabric store to choose our backdrops. We have two or three. Often the fabric there comes 48" wide, so if the pattern dictates it, we'll use fabric glue to make a 9'x10'

Kevin Lewis
February 14th, 2014, 11:01 PM
Thanks for the input everyone, I was thinking more of something like you see on some cable talk shows, almost like a portable "set" perhaps something like a tradeshow booth where the background can be replaced.

Battle Vaughan
February 14th, 2014, 11:31 PM
Might have a browse through this: Calumet Photo:

Backgrounds & Support (http://www.calumetphoto.com/category/studio-lighting/studio/backgrounds-support/;pgid=JGfke4.JQaqRp0fMs1SfTdxU0000oOtqRKHC;sid=zX192muARDp52jl-PjWv2nssgR8Dutin_eTO_VsZ)

Finn Yarbrough
February 15th, 2014, 01:55 PM
What do you mean "trade-show booth?" Are you looking for an actual set painted on a piece of fabric?

Don Bloom
February 15th, 2014, 03:05 PM
I saw one once a number of years ago. The photographer that had it paid someone to make it a one off. IIRC it was like 12X10 and frankly looked pretty cheesey!

For that I think you're better off shooting green screen and dropping in a "set" style background in post.

Oren Arieli
February 15th, 2014, 08:50 PM
Have you tried the pop-up Botero backgrounds. Good for single person interviews. Small/light enough to carry a few on each shoot. I have the Gold/Brown mottled and a White/Black reversible. They are 5x7' unfolded.

You can also turn a plain wall into a background with a cookie and fresnel.