| Seamless Background Paper does not have to be supported by
uprights fixed to a table as I have done. There are several other methods,
and one accessory manufacturer in particular provides a range of paper-supports
specifically designed for the job.
Manfrotto (sold as Bogen in the US) is one of the world's best makers of tripods, stands and associated accessories for photographic use. They are not the cheapest you can buy, but the quality is excellent, their products are well designed and have stood the test of time. Here are a few Manfrotto background system products; I've extensively used every one shown and can vouch for their quality and usefulness. |
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| A single pair of wall hooks makes supporting Seamless Background Paper a breeze. The hooks simply screw on to any suitable wall and you rest the inner support rod (that fits through the Seamless Background Paper roll) in the hooks. Simple! |  |
| If you intend using more than one colour of Seamless Background Paper frequently, you'll find changing rolls a bit of a drag, so investing in the three-hook version is an advantage. It screws to a wall exactly the same as the single-hook type, but will hold up to three rolls of Seamless Background Paper at once; you simply roll them up or down as needed. |  |
| What if you don't want to screw support hooks to a wall, or don't have
a suitable wall, or want your background to be portable? Manfrotto manufacture
an ingenious device called the Autopole. This is a two-section aluminium
tube (one slides inside the other) with a strong locking mechanism; it's
a bit like a king-size leg from a tripod. The Autopole has large soft rubber
feet at each end, and when extended is long enough to fit between floor
and ceiling of most average rooms. One simply extends the Autopole until
the feet are touching both floor and ceiling, then clamps the lever-lock.
This clamping action extends the pole just slightly more so it fits very
firmly between floor and ceiling. Two Autopoles can be placed anywhere
convenient - even closer to a wall than you could with tripod stands for
example. When using the Autopoles to support Seamless Background Paper,
you just place the Autopoles a suitable distance apart for the paper size
you're
using,
then
support
the paper between the poles. How do you support the paper? Easy.... |
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| With a set of Triple Hooks and two Super Clamps. The Triple Hooks are
the ones used for wall mounting; you simply use a pair of Manfrotto Super
Clamps to hold the Triple Hooks to the Autopoles. If you've already got
a pair of Triple Hooks you don't have to buy more, just a pair of Super
Clamps. Super Clamps by the way are extraordinarily useful devices; they
can be used to hold lights, flash units and so on to stands, tripods, desks,
doors, widow-sills - you name it. The Super Clamp is a bit like the photographer's
Swiss Army Knife - it might not do everything, but it's sure a handy gizmo! |
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| Rolling Seamless Background Paper up and down is not difficult, but it can be a small chore if the paper is mounted high on a support as you would if you were shooting full-length portraits. Manfrotto make a superb product called the Expan Core Grip. The Expan holds the roll of Seamless Background Paper at each end, and fits into a Hook mount. The Expan also has a plastic chain fitted which hangs down, enabling you to roll paper up and down very quickly and easily without having to reach up or stand on something. The Expan system is sometimes thought of as a "luxury", however it should also be remembered it's a safety feature as it negates the need to climb a ladder or step on something to reach up and roll / change papers. |  |
| Please see the next pages for price guides, availability and Seamless Background Paper Colour Charts. | |