Colorama table-top still life backgrounds
Colorama offer several different ranges of table-top backgrounds.
Foremost amongst these are Rainbow graduated colours and graduated grid/diagonal
patterns. The colours comprise 38 blends, from one shade to another or to
black or to white. With a minimum of fuss, and without any fancy lighting,
these backgrounds really can bring simple pack shots to life. All designs
are offered in Colorama's standard "C" size (110 x 160cm) and
the most popular types are also available in the larger "D" size
(200 x 300cm). At £41.14 and £136.84 respectively, these are relatively
expensive products p; made more so by the fact that they can be scratched
by careless handling. (Jon p; we've had them for YEARS at Photon
and scrub them with Jif to clean them! They are tougher than they look Ed.)
Colorama's plain colour table-top backgrounds are more durable and come
in a variety of surface finishes. ColorMatt and ColorGloss PVC sheets come
in seventeen and six hues respectively, all sized 100 x 130cm, at a cost
of £9.94 each. Velour is available in the three primary colours plus
black and grey. The fabric comes 149cm wide in 7.32m rolls priced £38.63
(all prices being exclusive of VAT). In use, any of Colorama's backgrounds
can be placed direct underneath a product, either laid flat or scooped up
behind. Alternatively, the product can be supported on a glass sheet positioned
above either a Colorama background. If the glass technique is used, care
must be taken when arranging the lighting in order to avoid unwanted reflections.
Putting a polarising filter over the camera lens is not enough to kill reflections
of light sources, though it can subdue them and remove reflections of the
product in the glass. For total removal of light source reflections, it
is necessary to fit polarising filters over the lights as well as over the
lens.
For those who can afford this route (large sheets of polarising filter material
being very expensive), Lee Filters can supply all that is needed. More adventurous
photographers might like to investigate using thin sheets of coloured perspex,
aluminium, plain formica, artificial wood veneers or even floor tiles as
table-top backgrounds. One of the beauties of table-top work is that many
possibilities exist which would simply not be affordable on a full size
set. By all means use off-the-shelf products for fast turnaround commercial
work, but look around for other alternatives too. You never know what you
might discover!
- Jon Tarrant
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