There are 3 methods of configuring your background screen.
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A “Roll Up” portable screen is mounted with a pair of hand operated “roll ups”. The operator simply mounts the screen assembly on two heavy duty light stands, raises it to the proper height and unrolls it. This method is recommended for any screen up to 8 x 9 that is going to be taken on location.
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A “sandwich” screen is a screen where the reflective surface is attached with Velcro to one side of a rigid aluminum frame and the Light Filter Material is mounted with Velcro to the other side of the frame, forming a “sandwich”.
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A “standard screen” is a screen that simply attaches to your wall and the Light Filter Material is mounted to one side of the frame, forming half a sandwich.
The cost of a projection screen
is determined by the square foot/meter.
Projection Screens
How to Select Your Virtual
Backgrounds Projection Screen
The Key factor in background projection screens is size. For basic head and shoulder photography of one or two people, a 4 x 6 foot screen is satisfactory. Natrually, as one gets into a larger screen, one can show more of the body and do group photography while also showing more background around the subject. The minimal size for full length photography is 7 x 8 or 8 x 8 feet. The largest size usually sold is 10 x 12 feet although larger background screens can be made.
There has been considerable technical advancements in background screen manufacturing in the past several years, primarily in special proprietary manufacturing methods. Older screens made it difficult to light the subject without also washing out the background image. Today’s screens allow the photographer to use nearly any kind of subject lighting just as long as a light is not directly behind the camera/projector. Most photographers do not have to modify their normal studio lighting, unless they want to. Light control is important.
Background screens are custom manufactured. Each screen consists of two components, the actual reflective surface and the very finely woven Light Filter Material (LFM), also known as Blackscreen. The reflective surface is the actual projection screen while the Light Filter Material blocks excess studio light from affecting the background image on the screen, making the virtual background process compatible with just about any studio lighting situation. The screen and LFM come as a combined unit.
You need to choose a screen size that is adequate for the work that you will be doing with it. Screens from 4 to 6 feet wide and 6 feet high are ideal for use on location for school photography. The minimal size for full length work and small groups is 8 x 8. The largest size we recommend for portable location work is 8 x 9. Most studio screens range from 8 x 8 to 10 x 12 and can be used for full length and group photography.