WIP photo backdrop working space?

[JimD]

I'm wanting to set something up where I can take WIP photos against a white background. What in looking for is something that I can work on that will easily clean. The aim here is to be able to photo in progress pics of washes, filters, pigments and things like that. I want the high key contrast but want and need to be able to clean up spills of oils, lacqurrs, etc without damaging. So Anything plastic wouldn't wotk.

I use seamless backdrop paper normally but the stuff gets dirty and it's done. Since it's kn 10 foot long, 30 yard rolls replacing its a hassle.

I'm just wanting something more practical than moving stuff over to the photo booth and backs and forth for photographing steps.

Right now my oy thought is. Large picture frame with white paper in it since I can wipe that down with any cleaner. But any thoughts would be appreciated.

[TRM]

Hi Jimmy,

I have had some success with some PVC remnants from roofing and was able to clean them up after. I ended up going with $1 sheets of poster board. 2 sided so when one side gets crappy, turn it over. A light table type set up would work too. I think Doogs uses one. Light is filter from below and the surface is glass which is easy to clean.

Good question...maybe some folks will chime in with their own set ups!

[JimD]

Foam board is a viable option I guess. It's fairly cheap and I could just try to be a little more careful with it that I'm used to. I am strongly considering a table in line with what Doogs has for final shots and in between shots. My thought here is something that I can move into my usual work space that I can work on top of at certain points in the build where I want to be able to just pick up the camera and snap before and afters...I'm just lazy...haha.

[dupes]

Jimmy - I'll take a shot of my bench down in the basement. I just have a piece of posterboard taped down next to where I work.

As far as "washable" I'm not sure what you could do without laminating some paper (and making it glossy). Sheet steel?

[JimD]

Yeah, I wasn't sure or not if there was some mystery material out there that I'm not aware of that would stand up to a scrubbing of lacquer thinner etc. I'm kinda clumsy and spill and drip and smear and the list goes on and on...so I was hoping for something that will withstand that without constant replacement. It becomes tedious to spot heal all that crud off is PS.

I'm gonna grab a cheap frame and start with glass...the light glare is my concern there, but we will see.

Thanks for the input.

[BJ]

If you have a local Sign Shop go and see if they will give/sell you some White Vinyl. It will hold up to most chemicals. If not give me a yell and I'll send you some for the cost of shipping. (Unless you want a crap load.)
You can also ask them just for the backing. It's usually white or Blue Clear Paper but has a wax like coating on it and nothing sticks to it. (3M uses a clear which works great for hand cutting stencils and as desk cover)

I use a Gloss black which gives a nice reflection of the part but that usually for my advertising photos, For my in process builds I a large Black Felt background I use which cuts down on any reflections.

[JimD]

That is a great idea. We have a couple of sign shops fairly close, so I'll check them out. I'm really liking the high gloss black surface too. I think I'd love that for finished photos...though I feel I need to stick with white at the moment.

[rbaer]

Dry-erase boards work nicely.

[doogsatx]

Maybe something like this? I know that ABS plastic is pretty damn resistant to most of the stuff we use and a few topcoats of something impervious could take it over the edge.

I've been considering something like this for my own bench work.

www.amazon.com/LimoStudio-Seamless-Background-Photography-AGG1468/dp/B00PM9USLA/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1444684485&sr=8-8&keywords=white+photo+table

[JimD]

Oh wow. That does look interesting. The problem with the other stuff is it's flat...which can become a problem photographing from an angle if you are trying to kill the entire background. That'd fit on the desk also...