New Background System

[ChristopherCoy]

I'm putting this here because it goes with lighting and I don't know where else to put it. I thought maybe this would give y'all some ideas if you're looking to build your own stuff.

This is our new background system. Brittany's dad built it from scratch. Its basically a barn door rail system, with 4x8 sheets of 3/4" insulation, covered in fabric. There is also a home made paper rack.

[dmora]

I thought you werent supposed to store white seamless lying down like that for flat spots.

[ChristopherCoy]

That's what I've heard. But we haven't had a problem with it.

[The Loft Studios]

Originally Posted by ChristopherCoy

That's what I've heard. But we haven't had a problem with it.

Hey Chris, very creative..... LOVE it.
Definitely one of the most creative systems I've seen thus far, and I've seen a lot.

However, I am curious on how long has the paper background system been in use, because from my experience, over time (it maybe several months) but the bars (looks like wooden ones in your case) will start to bow. And along with it, the paper. Which will make it almost useless, because when you roll out the paper once it's been bowed, it will show when it's fully extended, not to mentioned that it becomes even more difficult to roll and unroll it while it's still on your bar. The best my paper has lasted was about 6-8 months before my bars stared to bow, and I used steel bars. So, I'm just curious.....

[ChristopherCoy]

The roll of white paper up there lasted about two months. With the amount of dogs that I shoot on seamless, paper doesn't last long. We haven't noticed any bowing as of yet, but it's a work in progress. If it bows in the future, the rods are cheap enough to replace when needed. The cardboard core of the paper rolls helps as well.

[tertius]

Nice to see all of the panels put together! Looks great!

[tukaniray]

I like your system. Very nice Chris.

Brittany's dad did a great job. Tell him he gets 2 Thumbs up for craftsmanship from me.

-Ray-

[J Eddington]

Nice!

[sldi]

I really like that panel system, are the rails custom, or can you get that at like Tractor Supply?

[ChristopherCoy]

Brit's dad is a contractor, so he got them from his supplier. The rail system isn't custom, it's just aluminum rails. I don't know if you could get them at Tractor supply or not, bit any home improvement store should have something similar.

[David Whatley]

Chris. can I get a closeup shot of the rail and the hangers?
TIA
David

[Tom]

Chris, what is the backing on the fabrics? They almost look like they are floor rugs hanging in a store.

This is very cool.

I also wondered how to store seamless. I was thinking I might make a half box in the wall that it could rest in, so the middle is supported, then pull out the roll that is needed.

[ChristopherCoy]

David here are a few quick ones.

The actual rail is just aluminum "C" channel. The triangular frames that support the boards are also aluminum "C" channel that has just been cut and bent at the right angles. You'll notice on the first one, that there is some heavy duty brackets joining the frame, at the hanger. We decided against those because of the cost, and they were unnecessary because the boards are lighter than we expected.

The last picture is of a single roller hangy thing that we attach the boards to. They swivel a full 360 degrees, and roll from one side of the studio to the other.

[WarrenG]

Hmmmm, I did not notice a bowing problem with mine. I just switched to the core rollers and chains on 2 of the rolls, but the other still has the Conduit (not EMT) that I used. It was heavy, but never bowed at all. I wonder if I will have some bowing issues using just the core rollers now????

Chris, the track system looks good!

[ChristopherCoy]

Originally Posted by Thomas Campbell

Chris, what is the backing on the fabrics? They almost look like they are floor rugs hanging in a store.

The fabric is glued around the edges of the 3/4" sheets of insulation. If you notice the first one that is the damask pattern, is kind of bowed. We learned that if we glue the entire face of the insulation to the fabric, the glue shrinks the fabric or the board, and causes severe bowing. So on the other four we only glued the edges.

I'll try to get close ups of that shortly.