Deap Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 With this being an event specifically for Heroes could we have a better backdrop for the photo sessions. plain white would be better then i could Photo shop a backdrop of my choice. alternately a better idea would be to have a heroes themed or selection oF Heroes Themed backdrops. Such as some of Tim Sale's artwork or poster from inside one of the sets? The blue ones were fine but a lot of people would have preferred something a little less generic and i don't think it would cost much more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psychosis Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 I've got 30 photos from different conventions (almost all of them specialist ones for a specific show) and they're all blue with the exception of 5, which are the same but a pale brown shade. It's a nice idea to have something themed though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deap Posted September 4, 2007 Author Share Posted September 4, 2007 It's a nice idea to have something themed though. I thought so, I'm Still new at these sort of events and as great as Photos are It would really make it worthwhile to me to have a better backdrop, Other Ideas would be Full Images I.E. From Head to toe instead of just profile shots. and the possibility of collecting an electronic copy or having them emailed to you. I hope I'm actually providing some good suggestions here, are people actually agreeing with me, if so post a comment so that this thread gets popular enough to get recognised for the idea, if you are happy with the way things are, Profile shots with plain blue backgrounds. say so too. I like to hear what other people think of the current format. Personally i can See much room for improvement and a low cost. It would really make the show masters event stand out from all the other Show specific events. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SerbianJanet Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 Out of the cons I've done, the majority are definitely blue, and it's actually usually the favourite amongst congoers. One particular company always use the blue and switched to black without warning - there were a lot of unhappy floating head people, though I personally adored the black! Then I have a bunch that are one of those really photographery ones with swirly shades of grey/brown/red/pink etc. I hate that one. So IMO the blue is the best - I think a comic one would make things too busy, though it's a nice idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Psychosis Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 (edited) I think the problem with a themed backdrop is that it might be harder for the people to stand out. If you have splashes of colour all over the place, your eye is gonna be drawn to the background instead, and clothes might clash/get in the way, especially if someone has patterned clothing. And white would probably be an issue with lighting/flash. Edited September 4, 2007 by Psychosis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starbuck73 Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 Maybe a map, like in the season 2 promo pics... or too cluttered? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deap Posted September 4, 2007 Author Share Posted September 4, 2007 I do a lot of photography myself and f the photographer is up to scratch, you get much better results with a backdrop with a specific theme, the reason for this is because the subject (You) is/are in focus and the backdrop is not, the ones you describe as swirly patterns are bad becaise they have no levels, they are a flat surface with no style or texture. if you had say a comic book or as you have shown a map, this has depth it will be out of focus to which draws the eye to the subject but at the same tiem yoiu are aware that there is a background and if you look deeper you can see what it is. Let me do an example in the next few days and post it, at least then people can see the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenatalia Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 Sylar looks so hot in that picture... Sorry, LOL. Although a themed background would be good, I think blue is an alright colour as it doesn't really clash with skintones or most colours people wear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob_Beddall Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 any colour is just as easy to 'photoshop out'. but i understand what you mean about it being abit naff. i vote for a backdrop of the eclipse at the very least. or the skyline from the apartment. that could be cool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrazyKid197 Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 Mine are all grey background...(though granted I only have 3 ;p) though a variety would be nice, and the map looks really cool. However - I like the profileness of the shots (especially with actresses, I tend to duck because I'm kinda tall and they seem to be a good 6 or 7 inches shorter and it looks ridiculous otherwise.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators DavidB Posted September 5, 2007 Moderators Share Posted September 5, 2007 How about a backdrop that makes me look better in a photo? ... or aren't they that magical yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vbloyce Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 any colour is just as easy to 'photoshop out'. but i understand what you mean about it being abit naff. i vote for a backdrop of the eclipse at the very least. or the skyline from the apartment. that could be cool The Eclipse or the Skyline would be very cool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Starbuck73 Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 I think the Eclipse as a backdrop would be appropriate too, as that is the name of the event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swan Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 I'm a photographer and I am hoping that on camera flash will not be used, and studio lights used instead. On camera flash is very harsh, and unflattering. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deap Posted September 5, 2007 Author Share Posted September 5, 2007 I'm a photographer and I am hoping that on camera flash will not be used, and studio lights used instead. On camera flash is very harsh, and unflattering. As an amateur photographer myself I expected this to be the case when it was advertised that the LFCC would have a "Professional Photographer" Studio Lighting should really be used in all photo sessions and if you check with the right photographers they will already have the kit themselves and wont charge extra because they use it. Hell I'd do the photoshoot's for free just because It meant I get to spend time with the actors. As a photographer I have pride in my own imagery and would want to use whatever is the best to get the best shots for people who are paying £20 or more for a photo. Mobile studios are cheap enough these days and would make for much better photos. Studio lighting is also better for the guests as it stops them having to look at super bright flashes every 10 seconds However I don't expect there to be a better studio as people are paying for the current style of photos so why make them better? (for the fans, I know. but i dont think SM would go to the effort of even checking for better photography conditions unless they thought they could get more money) Please check SM you will find someone out there who is equally skilled as the guy at LFCC with better equipment for the same or lesser cost. I really want more photos but I hope we can get a more unique service at this con. Some photographers will cover events for free just to build up their portfolio. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swan Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 I'm a photographer and I am hoping that on camera flash will not be used, and studio lights used instead. On camera flash is very harsh, and unflattering. As an amateur photographer myself I expected this to be the case when it was advertised that the LFCC would have a "Professional Photographer" Studio Lighting should really be used in all photo sessions and if you check with the right photographers they will already have the kit themselves and wont charge extra because they use it. Hell I'd do the photoshoot's for free just because It meant I get to spend time with the actors. As a photographer I have pride in my own imagery and would want to use whatever is the best to get the best shots for people who are paying £20 or more for a photo. Mobile studios are cheap enough these days and would make for much better photos. Studio lighting is also better for the guests as it stops them having to look at super bright flashes every 10 seconds However I don't expect there to be a better studio as people are paying for the current style of photos so why make them better? (for the fans, I know. but i dont think SM would go to the effort of even checking for better photography conditions unless they thought they could get more money) Please check SM you will find someone out there who is equally skilled as the guy at LFCC with better equipment for the same or lesser cost. I really want more photos but I hope we can get a more unique service at this con. Some photographers will cover events for free just to build up their portfolio. At London Film and Comicon Last year, for the Elijah photo shoot, studio lights were used. All the photographs looked great, because the lighting was far softer. I was surprised to see on camera flash at this year's Comicon, it isn't what I would call a professional set up. Mind you the teeny tiny area used for the studio this year didn't have enough space for studio lights. The size of the venue was massive, beats me why they used such a tiny studio set up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deap Posted September 5, 2007 Author Share Posted September 5, 2007 (edited) Ok here are 2 test shots, the 1st is taken using similar conditions to that of the photos at the event. ( I have used a background of one of our home pictures as an example of a backdrop. as the photo is of my partner i figured this would be a relevant background for the subject as it gives an explanation to the scene. it is also a flat image so represents a flat image backdrop at the convention such as the eclipse logo or a picture of New Your Rooftops on a poster. (it has details and depth but its a flat image) Image 1 As you can see the subject is bleached the light casts a shadow on the background tyou get excessive glare from the backdrop and the subjects eyes, everything is crisp and simple, as the light is "harsh" it excessively brightens up all of the highlights and leavs the shadows sticking out as lines in the face, simply it will show your worst features. other than the composition it looks like a standard holiday snap. The next image had simulated studio conditions, basically no flash but instead a single direct light on the subject, lowered aperture to allow the focal point to be the subject and no other part of the image (foreground or background) Image 2 With this image the light is softer so gives better contrast to the whole image. It has no sharp edges like image 1. the background is blurred and although still has an object it does not detract the eye from the subject and in most cases (such as having a relevant background) it complements the subject. All I needed to to to get an image less like a passport or random holiday photo was compose the image better, add a background (lower my camera aperture so that the background was less focused and remove the harsh camera flash lighting. Overall i think the image is 500% better just by adding a little care. it has cost me no extra time or money to get a better image and once I set up the settings I can use it in every image I take as long as I'm the same distance from my subject and they are the same distance from the background. Also the differences here were made with basic equipment Instead of Studio lighting I have a spotlight and instead of a £2500 camera (+relevent lenses) I have a £300 one. Imaging how good the photos would be with "Professional" equipment Edited September 5, 2007 by Deap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swan Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 Most studio set ups use a minimum of two lights, so your second picture, if it had two lights, would be a little bit lighter, but not harshly so, and way more flattering than on camera flash. I reckon you and I should take on the job as event photographers! LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thanatos Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 How about something like this, not the best person to to crop photos but I think the background would be good. Its better than the bog standard blue one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swan Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 How about something like this, not the best person to to crop photos but I think the background would be good. Its better than the bog standard blue one The only problem with backdrops like that is how reflective they are. There is nothing worse that a burnt flash spot just to the left of your head, and believe me this is worse than a dark shadow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thanatos Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 Yes but the back drop could be made out of material just like the blue backdrop the photographer uses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee1987@mac.com Posted September 6, 2007 Share Posted September 6, 2007 I'll have the photoshoots if they use a different background than the blue (i just don't like them in blue) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deap Posted September 6, 2007 Author Share Posted September 6, 2007 The only problem with backdrops like that is how reflective they are. There is nothing worse that a burnt flash spot just to the left of your head, and believe me this is worse than a dark shadow. This is why I suggested you use a matte wall like they do at press gigs or alternately a large flag or banner with a logo or design on, In events like this they could ask all the guests to sign it and then and then auction it off at the end of the show. (this would more than certainly cover the costs of making the flag) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deap Posted September 6, 2007 Author Share Posted September 6, 2007 I made it for the same thread in the LFCC forum but thought I'd post here to show my example of themed backdrop to anyone who just visits the eclipse board (and to brag) Most complaints with a backdrop seem to be Reflectiveness make it out of material like the curtain or make a flag then it wont be reflective. Hassle people think that it will have to be changed per guest, Why? dont have a backdrop per guest have one per event like have a blue one with a logo on for the LFCC have a balck one for eclipse a red one for Collectormania ect. Photoshop It wont be photoshopped in, it will be like a curtain. the same as the blue one currently used but more iinteresting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderators DavidB Posted September 6, 2007 Moderators Share Posted September 6, 2007 Hmm I recognise you from the event. Random I know, but there ya go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now