Muslin track and light on boom, how to work it?

[Blair S Blanks]

I just got my small soft box situated on a boom arm on a light stand behind my backdrop stand in a way that I like it for a background light. Now I have purchased a muslin track system. I'm not exactly sure how I should configure it with the softbox on the boom? Other than installing the softbox by attaching it to the ceiling, is there any convenient way to use the muslin track and boom arm in conjunction with one another? I would put the light stand to the side and have the boom come from the side, but I don't think my boom arm is long enough for that.
Dang...wish I'd thought of this before!

[Kirk Kief]

any chance of putting a photo of your camera room on here so we can get a better idea of what you're up against?

[Larry Lee Letzer Sr.]

Blair,

If I understand you, you are using a small softbox hung from your boom arm as a hair and separation light. You are not lighting the background with this are you?

Without seeing a photo of your setup, I would think the only way is to place the track on the ceiling behind your boom arm and separation light. Most of us have the hair light in softboxes to light the hair and separate the person or group from the background. This is not a background light as we light the background from the floor positioned background light.

[Blair S Blanks]

I shoot mostly moving targets, kids under 3. So yes, this is a background light. the fewer lights the kids can get to, the better! I'll post some photos...as you can see the room is small and there's not much space on the sides...

[Greg Jameson]

Just curious, why do you need a background light? As you said you are usually photographing moving subjects so isn't that just one more light to deal with? The only time I use a background light is to light high key white backgrounds. If you want separation use a hair light or kicker light from the side of the subject.

Greg

[Mark O'Connell]

Blair, I have my hairlight set up like you have your background light. You'll need to either attach some 'L' brackets to the walls and attach the muslin track to them, or suspend some rods from the ceiling to either attach a long board to, then attach the muslin track to it. I think the "L" brackets would work better. You can get some at home depot. They have white heavy duty ones that look nice and hold a bit of weight. Then you get them positioned about every 4 feet on a stud. Make sure everything is level. Attach the muslin track by drilling a hole in the track and attach them through the hole in the "L" bracket.

[Gary Affleck]

If you want that light to stay up there where you have it, you will have to mount it to the ceiling in front of the track you're putting on the ceiling for the muslins. You can mount it on the side but it'll be a big hassle to pull a muslin around it.

If you're mounting your muslin track on the walls, you can leave it where it's at. I wouldn't do it that way as you will have to move your other background stands down when you swing your muslins around. I like the track on the ceiling about 12-18 inches from the walls. That way you may swing the muslins around in front of the other backgrounds mounted on the walls without having to move them. It also gives you room to place a light behind the muslins if you so desire. G

[Wendy Baucom]

Blair...I have mine mounted directly to the ceiling...save your boom for something else. I got my hubby to go to Lowes and $10 later I have a high key setup and a hair light...off the floor and no fuss. Let me know and I can get a parts list for you.

~Wen

[Blair S Blanks]

Wendy, thanks, that parts list would be great! I use that light for high key (which I do a lot of) and for certain backdrops that look muddy without a background light (like my Venice, the blues don't show up well if it is not lit). So I do need to figure out a way...

thanks everyone!

[Wendy Baucom]

Blair,

My hubby said he'd jot them down for me...only he reminded me we used a part from a little background stand I recently bought, so maybe you can buy those seperately?? I'll check!!

~Wen

[Cami Fulmer]

Blair I just ordered a ceiling bracket from Tallyn's I havent gotten it yet but I think it will be exactly what I am needing...

HTH,

Cami