Gradient Paper???

[John Terefenko]

I ask this question here because most turners photogragh their work and I was wondering if you do are you using gradient paper as a background. If so what colors and how do you support it??? Any photos of your set up would be great. Thanks.

[Steve Schlumpf]

John - I use the #39 color paper from here: http://www.phototechinc.com/graduate.htm

Some folks use the #9 but the dark shade is very dramatic and can overpower your subject.

I picked up a photo tent a while back from eBay and the paper just rests against the back of the cube.

[Bob Hamilton]

I bought the #39, neutral gray to white background from here: http://www.alzodigital.com/online_store/background_paper.htm
The one I got is 31" x 43" and is actually a fairly heavy vinyl rather than paper. It is washable.

My tent starts out like this:

http://www.bobhamswwing.com/justpics/2009/march/100_9625-640.jpg

http://www.bobhamswwing.com/justpics/2009/march/100_9623-640.jpg

The background attaches to one of the crossbars with clothes pins:

http://www.bobhamswwing.com/justpics/2009/march/100_9602-640.jpg

It looks blue in the pic but it is gray.

The whole frame gets covered with a cloth and a couple of desk lights at the sides illuminate it. Two sheets of foamcore reflect the light from the front:

http://www.bobhamswwing.com/justpics/2009/march/100_9610-640.jpg

http://www.bobhamswwing.com/justpics/2009/march/100_9608-800.jpg

The camera peeks through between the foam core sheets to take the pic:

http://www.bobhamswwing.com/justpics/2009/march/100_9612-800.jpg

Take care
Bob

[charlie knighton]

very nice, Bob

[David E Keller]

Very nice, Bob.

[Robert McGowen]

Thank you for taking the time to post that, Bob! I see a background purchase in my future.


Well, the future came true and I am now $40 poorer thanks to this thread........

[Brian Effinger]

John, here is what I use.

http://www.sawmillcreek.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=138965&d=1263878500

I got my recipe from Bill Huber. My background is just clamped to the rear rail with two spring clamps. The gradient paper is the same that Steve uses. I just picked up a second piece that will be used at club meetings, so the original one doesn't get ruined. I got it on ebay (item 120529020427). I should have it in a few days, and I'll post my thoughts on it.

Bob, thanks for the photos of your set-up. I am going to have to "borrow" ;) the reflector panel idea.

Brian

[John Keeton]

John, I won't post a pic of my trashcan and pillow case. Even though it is freshly ironed!!:D

Seriously, I do appreciate you asking this question. It will answer a lot of questions for me. Bob's setup is neat, and Brian has some good suggestions, too.

I will be watching for other input.

[alex carey]

love the photo tent bob. Nice job.

[Mark Hubl]

John,

I just got some gradient from ebay. It was one of the lower priced ones. Not happy with it, looks like it was just printed on a large scale plotter/printer. It has lines that are visible in the background. I will need to upgrade to one of the better backgrounds or go back to grey and cast a shadow. This is the setup I am currently playing with. A similar PVC frame to the others and some new lights. I also use clamp lights and reflectors depending on the piece. Reflections are still a challenge on shiny pieces. But I am learning.

[Brian Effinger]

The gradient paper is the same that Steve uses. I just picked up a second piece that will be used at club meetings, so the original one doesn't get ruined. I got it on ebay (item 120529020427). I should have it in a few days, and I'll post my thoughts on it.
Well, I got that ebay gradient paper today. It ended up being $18, and for that price I think it was worth it. However, it is not as nice as the #39 color paper from phototech. This is much thinner photo paper (not the heavy plastic of the #39) and you can tell this was printed by an inkjet printer. This is kind of homemade, while the #39 is professional.

As I said, I think it was worth the price, and is half of what phototech wants. Since this is my traveling background for my club duties, I think I did good. Also, I won't feel bad cutting this down to fit my tent.

Brian