Help needed with portrait backgrounds

[Granddad]

A couple of weeks ago I did some portrait shots with a group of belly dancers (it's a tough job but somebody has to do it). I'm quite pleased with the results overall but I need some advice particularly on the subject of the backgrounds. What would you do with the backgrounds in these three shots and how would you do it? I have Lightroom 3 and Photoshop Elements 8 to work with. Ironing the background cloths pre-shoot wasn't an option as I took my portable studio set up to them and had to set up and start shooting; time in the venue was limited.

Other C&C also welcome
1) (Already photoshopped to hide the cord and strobe tripod leg behind her)

2)

3)

Your suggestions (maybe links to tutorials?) will be very welcome.

Thanks.

 

[McPhotoKC]

Love the photos. Number 1 is my fave!

I use seamless paper ( lot harder to transport ) but maybe if you stretched out the corners on floor and weighted them down?
Only one I see an issue with is number 2 the wrinkles at her feet think everything else could be spot healed or cloned if needed

 

[runnah]

 

[LaFoto]

These are very nice photos! And I'm with McPhoto, thinking that the wrinkles in 1 can be cloned so they no longer show. I quite LIKE Photo 1!!!
But hey, how I pity you that you had to take these photos. *sigh*
Yes, life as a photographer is hard, isn't it? But as you are saying: someone has to do it.

 

[runnah]

I hate to say it but the 5 mins to steam the back drop could have saved hours of post work.

 

[tirediron]

...I use seamless paper ( lot harder to transport )...

I would recommend seamless too; transporting is easy when you do it right. A brand new roll of Savage fits perfectly inside 4" PVC (white) drain pipe. Depending on whether it's the short or the long roll, the pipe, an end-cap and clean out with screw-on cap will run between $20 and $30.

 

[tirediron]

Nice work! Other than the comments on the background, my only thought is that a coloured gel on the background in #1 would have made it pop a lot more; as-is the scarf is blending in to the backgroud a bit.

 

[Granddad]

Thanks for that all, it's made my day to get compliments here. On this forum I usually get both barrels loaded with honesty. (Which is why it's my favourite forum)

Runnah, Yes, I have a steamer and I should have used it. Next time I'll make sure I allow more time - 20 mins with the steamer would have paid dividends. I assume in your version you dodged the background? It works and will probably be my best option.

Seamless paper has to be an option but as some of the dancers wear dance shoes with heels (needed if their costume is a bit long) I'm not sure how that would stand up, I usually ask them to dance for the camera - that way you get a photo of a dancer, not just a pretty lady posing in a sparkly costume. I suppose (thinking as I type) I could use a combination of paper at the back and cloth on the floor?

Tirediron: Thanks for the tip on the drain pipe paper roll case. Also the tip of using a gel - I have some but haven't used them, I need to get some more studio practise in.

My limited studio experience suggests that white backgrounds are easier to work with in that dodging a white background works better than burning a black background - the pure black tends to look quite harsh, as in the one below from a shoot last March. Any thoughts on this? ...Or is it just me trying to fit the mold?

 

[nycphotography]

T
Seamless paper has to be an option but as some of the dancers wear dance shoes with heels (needed if their costume is a bit long) I'm not sure how that would stand up, I usually ask them to dance for the camera - that way you get a photo of a dancer, not just a pretty lady posing in a sparkly costume. I suppose (thinking as I type) I could use a combination of paper at the back and cloth on the floor?

Thats why the roll is longer than it needs to be. If you do a shoot with lots of traffic just cut off 6' for the next shoot.

Also, I use a wet cloth to clean shoes (and let them dry) before they go on the paper. it doesn't stop scuffs, but does reduce dirt tracking.

 

[DiskoJoe]

I think its time to start investing in white seamless paper. But a little cutting will do the trick here.

 

[tirediron]

...Seamless paper has to be an option but as some of the dancers wear dance shoes with heels (needed if their costume is a bit long) I'm not sure how that would stand up,

Hmmm... odd; I've shot a LOT of belly-dance and they always wear either nothing on their feet or some sort of dance-flats. That aside, that's the beauty of seamless; when it gets tatty at the end, cut that bit off, bin it and roll out another few feet.

 

[Granddad]

Hmmm... odd; I've shot a LOT of belly-dance and they always wear either nothing on their feet or some sort of dance-flats. That aside, that's the beauty of seamless; when it gets tatty at the end, cut that bit off, bin it and roll out another few feet.

That's correct, mostly they dance barefoot or with flats but some of the professional and semi professional performers wear sparkly dance shoes with their designer dresses. It takes some getting used to (so I'm told). My wife got dance shoes to go with her first designer dress (in excess of £300 - only one careful previous owner) because it was about an inch too long and with all the beads and sequins along the hem there was no way she could take the hem up... it's a hobby that can be nearly as expensive as photography if you get serious about it! LOL!

Do you have the tribal fusion and steampunk variations there? Some of their costuming is awesome! I've got a few in that style from the same shoot (different girl) that I'm quite pleased with, when I've finished them I'll post a couple.