Suggestion on background/backdrops

Hi all,

 

I have just started a small photo studio in my house and have been looking for

the perfect backdrop/background.

 

I have tried muslin and also seamless paper but they are still not ideal.

 

I primarily do portraits and the muslin for the most part works ok but it's

very thin and at times on white you can see creases or wrinkles.

 

I have also tried seamless paper and that works great but it gets dirty

extremely easily and I constantly find myself buying new rolls periodically as

I almost have to replace after every shoot.

 

Anyone out there who knows what else can be used as background? I have noticed

that this place at the mall called The Picture People employs a canvas like

material but it's very smooth on one side. Anyone know where I can find

something like that? I like that because it looks like it's something you can

clean after each use or wipe down.

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hi George,

 

Tip:

if you get one light-grey background, you can make that appear - in your photos! - to be

all sorts of pastel tints simply by covering the background light(s) with colored gels. So

you effectively get multiple backgrounds for very little money.

 

Have fun!

I have luck with my seamless by using a piece of plexiglass over the it to protect it from dirt and tearing. The plexiglass also provides a subtle reflection that adds a little depth to the photos. Some other photographer use a material called Marine Vinyl that they purchase at their local fabric stores. Good luck!

Thank you for your suggestion. I'll give those a try.

Emily, I noticed the plexiglass on some of your pictures. Do you have to do any post processing to remove any visible edges of the plexiglass? Or does that not show?

 

Also, do you do that with all background types? Or just solid white or solid black? I like the effect and the way they turn out.

Hi George - Sorry I didn't respond sooner. I just revisited this thread today. I do clone out the back edge on many of the plexiglass photos. I use it for two reasons, I do like the subtle reflection that it creates and it also helps protect my papers/muslins from tearing, drool, pee, dirt etc. I only use it on my solid colored backdrops due to the cloning of the edge which is really easy when there is no pattern. I made the mistake of buying a cheap piece from the lumber store first which cracked after my second use so I had to go back and buy the more expensive industrial piece which I have been using for about 8 months now and the only problems I have with it is some minor scuffing - which I also touch up in the post processing stage.