Graduation ball question

• thomas15263

  Member

  July 15, 2010 at 10:00 pm

  HI

  Im doing the photography for a graduation ball and i have a question. What type of background should i use? Im thinking of getting the standard muslin curtain type but someone suggested that this is dated and i should use white paper backdrop

  Do you agree/disagree?

  Thanks
  Mr T

  Participant

  July 16, 2010 at 7:49 am

  Hi Thomas15263,

  Disadvantages:
  You’ll need to light it seperatly to eliminate shadows.
  If you don’t light it sufficiently it will appear grey.
  That may mean investing in / carrying extra equipment

  Advantages:
  If handled properly it can help produce some very smart high key results.
  thomas15263

  Member

  July 16, 2010 at 4:01 pm

  Thanks Mr T

  But , with a graduation ball or the Debs, arent students expecting to have that muslin background?
  JMac-2006

  Participant

  July 16, 2010 at 7:35 pm

  i dont think students are too worried about the background more about themselves :)

  i would think the white could look modern and you could get some fun shots aswell, but as said the lighting would need to be set up for background and the people with quick recycling for each flash – time is of the essence i’d expect as you have lots of people to get through
  photoemt

  Participant

  July 17, 2010 at 5:41 am

  I have to agree with JMac,
  The photos have to achieved quickly as you’re only delaying people from getting to the bar.
  You need a set up that you do’t have to contantly be fiddling with metering and settings. Also are you planning on using studio lights or speedlights?
  Studio lights would mean running cables, taping them down so that nobody can trip on them etc.
  You will also have to be taking names and details for each photo so the less hassle you can give yourself on lighting and background issues the better. You need a fast turn around time between each couple otherwise they’ll be getting impatient.
  Stick with the muslin.
  Keep your kit as small and portable as possible and take plenty of batteries if you’re using speedlights.
  The Fine Print

  Member

  July 19, 2010 at 3:21 pm

  if you have e.g. a very large unlit space available, you can also work without a background and go low-key. I think for a graduation ball that’s not an ideal proposition and if you’re inexperienced, a large volume shoot like a graduation ball can mean disaster in that case as well :) But “making light” isn’t that hard once you done it a bit. Personally, I absolutely detest the blue muslin look, (some patterns are worse than others).