White CYC Void

[shortnstout]

I need to do a shoot with a white cyc look. I don't need a full body shot but need 2 people in the frame so was just going to get a white back drop that was wide enough. I've heard good things about Savage backdrops. How wide will it need to be to get 2 people in the frame talking at normal close distance and have it lit correctly?

I know you just basically blow out the backdrop with separate lights. Does anyone have any other pointers? What backdrop material should I use. They have both canvas and vinyl.
thanks!!

 

[Ryan Patrick O'Hara]

As far as the cyc, reflective white without specular reflective qualities is a good choice. Lighting it as even as possible is a good idea.

As far as the size, that is going to really depend on your camera, lens, and subject to camera distance.

A wider lens closer to the subjects will need a larger cyc, while a longer lens further away from the subject will require a smaller cyc.


Since the perspective of the background is not an issue when it's all white, I would move the camera back and zoom in as much as possible to get your desired composition. This will 'magnify' the background, showing less and requiring a smaller cyc.

So what I would do is get an online DoF and AoV calculator. The angle of view is what you are going to want. Enter the camera sensor size and play around with lens length and subject to camera distance. Findout how far away you can get on what lens, in order to keep the composition you need and the smallest angle of view possible.