Backdrop size

[Weetobix]

I need to buy a cheap backdrop for some photos round a friend's house this weekend.
Current plan is to go to the local market and buy some material from the man there (he's currently selling material, 2m wide for about £2-3 a metre).

Question is, how many metres should i get? Assuming rooms are about 2.5m high and I'll want some to cover the floor and move away from the backdrop itself. 4m? 5m? What do you suggest?

Also, should I stick with white or try for grey?

 

[markw08]

Try the Talk lighting section plenty of info about studio stuff...

Most backgrounds tend to be about 6m long giving a decent length train(floor section)...

White is probably best as depending on how you light it you can make it grey...

Hope that helps...

 

[Notts_Dave]

That'd be my guess as well not that i'm an expert. 2 meters for the verticle, 2 meters between subject and verticle and 2 meters in front. Add an extra meter for good mesure and call it 7meters, its better to have too much (as my wife always says).

 

[Andy]

One of the common sizes is 2m x 5m so anything more than 5m will be fine for full length.