As much as I like to shoot on location, there are times when the location just won’t work. Dull green walls, tacky wall paper, bright windows…the list is long. To fix these issues, I have to either move or set up some backdrop to eliminate the nastiness. Try setting up a seamless backdrop yourself on the 4th floor of a building. First you carry the stand up, then another shuttle with the paper, then another load for sandbags, don’t want the stand knocking out your subject. I’m convinced this is great training for my next ascent of Denali.
My friends at Manfrotto and Lastolite are always tempting me with new gear, and when I first saw the Lastolite Urban Collapsible Background, I knew I needed not just one but many! These backgrounds are simply amazing. First, they look realistic…as in 3D popping off the image realistic. Take a look at these images. It is hard to believe these backgrounds are flat. Each background has two different patterns to use. And here is the best part; they pop up like a collapsible reflector in mere seconds. No more hauling stands, paper, sandbags; just pop open the urban background, lean it against a wall, and you are ready to go. The backgrounds are 5’x7′, big enough for waist up shooting and more. They have 4 different models, 8 different background patterns total. Price is $274.99. In my book, worth every penny.
Of course it doesn’t hurt to have a nationally ranked Taekwondo fighter who is cut like a Spartan standing in front of the background. Good luck Sir in your upcoming competitions!