I've been shooting headshots on white and gray paper for the past two years. I also have a few westcott collapsible backdrops(I think called storm clouds) the type you often see in corporate headshots. It's fine but generic.
I'm looking to change things up- but it's very hard to find good backdrops. I've ordered a few other westcotts and haven't been happy with them. I'm looking for something classy and high end looking which avoids a cheapy 'studio' look. Ideally they could be collapsable(my studio is pretty small).
As I have posted from time to time on this forum, I am a huge fan and user of LastoLite products. In particular, the LastoLite HiLite.
And here's why.
You have a 6 X 7 collapsible background in a bag. All white that can shoot flawless HiKey shots, and is dark gray on the reverse side.
If gelled light is introduced, you can change up the color with pretty neat results (although you can do this post in Ps as well)
They offer what is called "Bottle Tops" for the unit, which allows you to drape any of their solid colors over top so it becomes a stand-a-lone fold-able carry with you background. Or, you can make your own 'bottle top' units as I have done here with Denny cloth.
And, as if that was not enough, ANY company such as DENNY or any of the other magic cloth type fabrics will hang on this without frames or stands wth just 3 squares of velcro. Set-up is just 60 seconds, and tear down is about 120 seconds. Mind you... all in a bag.
I can even use this as one huge 6' X 7' softbox ! It's like one huge window where I don't have one.
Given the versatility, and the amount of cash this ONE piece of kit has generated here, I can say it's been one of the best investments of cash I've made since 1978.
IMO Denny is the Honda Accord of backdrops and Maheu is the BMW. Both are extremely reliable and produce a fine quality product. Whether Maheu is right for you depends on your budget and in part on how well you'll treat them. If you're moving from location to location every week, I think Denny should be more than adequate. I've used both. YMMV
