Ideas for good backgrounds/backdrops?

[casil403]

I'm looking for some good, cheap background/backdrop ideas for seamless still life shots. Anyone have any thoughts?
Thanks :)

[tomorrowstreasures]

i hit the fabric store whenever they have a sale. i try to buy upholstery fabric on a tube as it not folded and upholstery fabric has a nicer weight to it than other fabrics... then i jerry rig them where ever i need them.. to keep them from being folded, i have lengths of pvc pipe to roll the pieces onto - they store nicely that way...

[Marko]

Yup fabric stores - get WIDE rolls.

[casil403]

Thanks TT, I'll head out to one and check it out!

[kat]

Boooo! Nearest fabric store is again, 5.5 hours away!! Any other ideas until such trip?

I read that muslum (muslim/mislum?) can't remember was used? Just wondering if anyone has used it and if you can paint on it?

[casil403]

I read that muslum (muslim/mislum?) can't remember was used? Just wondering if anyone has used it and if you can paint on it?

Hey Kat, I found this site when I did a search on Google on "cheap photography backgrounds". Might be right up your alley!

http://www.diyphotography.net/homestudio/chaep-diy-muslin-photography-background

Hope that helps!

[kat]

Thanks! Have to give it a shot come summer time!!!

[Ben H]

I read that muslum (muslim/mislum?) can't remember was used? Just wondering if anyone has used it and if you can paint on it?

Muslin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muslin). It's basically bed sheet material (ok, not for those of you sleeping in silk sheets... ;)

Not sure about painting - I'd prefer to paint the light going onto it (gels etc), rather than the actual material...

[kat]

Actually, my other half airbrushes but I haven't done any research on what paints can be used on that material. I'd like him do to up some backgrounds for me, but it may just end up being on wood or board of some sort.

[tomorrowstreasures]

any fabric can be purchased online - joann fabrics; mood fabrics of nyc would be 2 good starting points.
about painiting on any fabric- if it is machine washable to that first to remove chemicals... if you want to be able to machine wash your piece after painting, use fabric paint. the down fall of it is it is pricey and you have to take the time to set the paint by ironing it. i think i would consider a traditional duck or canvas as they are both a bit more substantial than muslin, keep in mind, muslin is used in quilting and needs the weave to be loose enough to allow a needle to easily pass through it.. for muslin - a coat of gesso might do wonders for it. . another thing about painting on fabric- use a base coat of something - if you do not go through the fuss of using fabric specific paint, you do not have to set the paint, but the trade off is - you can't really wash it after it is painted...
bed sheets work great- just drape over something with a little more body to help with light coming through - i have a piece of black polar fleece which i use A LOT - even one of those fleece backed table cloths are work horses as i use them behind fabrics with the plastic side away from the "backdrop" fabric... they also come in quite handy under baby and the fabric you lay baby on if you are doing nude shots i use it behind light fabrics so i can control the light more and also use it as a black back drop... i carry hardware store clamps (plastic hand grip kind)with me as they are a cheap 2nd pair of hands... also, enlist the help of those around you to hold the fabric...

try to find fabrics that can do multi duty. always prewash if a nude baby is going to be laying on something... you do not want the chemicals in the fabric to come in contact with their delicate skin. use tubes to roll fabric on to store as it eliminates the need for ironing - natural fibers wrinkle a lot worse than synthetic fibers do, so keep that in mind as well... they also hold their color much, much longer than do linen and cotton... store out of sunlight as sunlight fades... any more questions about the subject, fire away, i can most likely help you...

susan

[tomorrowstreasures]

more on babies - what ever the dohinky is that nursing mom's use - cover it up and prop baby in there - works like a charm as do bean bag chairs!

[mindforge]

We call ours "the donut", the work well. A far as things to cover the "donut" up with, try not to use blankets with shimmering material that are white, I get blowouts on those a lot.

I have been relying on those and a big window.

[kat]

Thanks TT! Great advice! I used the doughnut and it worked so good!!!

[Mad Aussie]

I'm positive I found a website a few weeks back about airbrushing Muslin. Can't remember where it is though.

[jjeling]

Nice discussion here. The studio I have been trying to work on is lacking one MAJOR thing. A backdrop. So far, I have used TWO king size sheets and it still is not big enough. We have a couple rolls of black material and off white material and its still not big enough. So......

What is the largest piece of fabric that you can buy?
Was also thinking about painting the walls black as well, anyone have an idea how well this works?

[Mad Aussie]

Was also thinking about painting the walls black as well, anyone have an idea how well this works?
The slightest bit of gloss will show up as a sheen with the lights so I expect you wouldn't want that. Flat/matte would be better. The downside of this is obviously the black absorbs light so you need more lighting than a white room would of course.

[F8&Bthere]

One day I'll drive into the city and visit FabricLand, but I've also tried using a white bed sheet and photoshopping in the background I want. Doesn't work for everything though.

[jjeling]

Im not too worried about the lighting issue. The family had some old light bars from the 60's and 70's that are incredible. Each one holds four lights of my choice with two switches on each on in case the light is too harsh. I also have several construction lights to use as well, except there would be different colors involved then. I would be just a matter of diffusing the light which wouldnt be much of a problem. Never thought about the paint type. Glad you said something about that. Thanks.

[Mad Aussie]

One day I'll drive into the city and visit FabricLand, but I've also tried using a white bed sheet and photoshopping in the background I want. Doesn't work for everything though.
Yes ... unless you can isolate your background properly this can be a nightmare. Especially women having bad hair days! :eek: