Background suggestions

[Khaos05]

Ok...what is a good color/pattern for a background for indoor portraits? I don't want the classic school picture blur (i.e. variations of blue)...any suggestions? I thought about just plain black (which would work good for certain portraits, but not ideal for other situations)

[mjordan]

There are so many choices... are you looking for paper, painted muslin, dyed muslin, solid colors, blended colors, shiny or what?

I have about 7 different rolls of seamless paper, black, gray, white, blue, maroon, charcoal and a sick green. I have a number of solid muslin backdrops, white, black, natural (a tea color), a few dyed muslins that I don't use to much because they look cheap. My favorite muslins are my painted Silverlake backdrops. I have a Nugget, Charcoal, Hickory and I have a Red Apple on it's way.

I decide on which background to use by what my subject is and what I'm trying to achieve. I use darker backgrounds more than lighter ones because of my subjects and a dark background goes better as it gives less of a contrast situation. So your question is a very hard one to answer since the type of background is so subjective to each of us.

Mike

[Khaos05]

hmm...well, I guess now my question would be what is what?:( (The types) and do you have pictures that you've taken on the different ones?

[mjordan]

I do have pictures taken on most of what I mentioned, although the backgrounds are cropped out in a lot of them. Rather than clog the thread with a bunch of images, I'll post a few links.

This is a muslin background called Charcoal:
http://www.sitnprettyphoto.com/display/charcoal8650w.jpg

This is black seamless:
http://www.sitnprettyphoto.com/display/dyna/dyna6009.jpg

This is a painted muslin called Hickory:
http://www.sitnprettyphoto.com/display/frank/frank6056.jpg

This is the painted muslin called Nugget:
http://www.sitnprettyphoto.com/display/scooter6100.jpg

This is a maroon colored seamless paper I tested:

http://www.sitnprettyphoto.com/display/alister/frank3639.jpg


I see I need to take more test shots of my backgrounds. I have a lot of pictures with them, but I have them cropped so you can't see a lot of the background. :D

All of these backgrounds work very well with people too. Some work better with people than the dogs I shoot a lot of. But it gives you an idea.

If you want to see some of these and more actually in use with people and kids you can check them out here: http://www.silverlakephoto.com/forums
This is where I've gotten all of my painted muslins. He has a pretty good monthly sale for members on his 10x20 painted backgrounds.

Mike
Mike

[chtgrubbs]

A grey background will be the most versatile. It can be rendered any tone from almost black to almost white by controlling how much light you put on it. It can be made almost any color by putting color gels on your background light. A grey seamless for textureless backgrounds and a grey muslin or canvas for texture will cover many situations.

[Khaos05]

those look nice...why are the muslins on the website $300-$400? What's special about them? I was thinking more along the lines of going to wal-mart or hobby lobby and getting a nice fabric cut to 10x20 or something...:confused:

[liza]

You can't get fabric cut like that. With the exception of 120" wide quilt backing, the widest most fabric comes is 60". You'd have to seam it, and that shows up in the image.

[Khaos05]

You can't get fabric cut like that. With the exception of 120" wide quilt backing, the widest most fabric comes is 60". You'd have to seam it, and that shows up in the image.

poo:(




:lol:

[mjordan]

The main reason is because they are hand painted muslins. You aren't really paying for the muslin so much as the artistic work that each artist puts into the muslins they create. There are cheaper painted muslins on the market and there are some that are a whole lot more expensive. Some of the cheap ones are very cheap and you don't get a lot of choices. Some of the expensive ones are really nice, but with those, you are also paying for the band name. I've not paid full price for any of my Silverlake backgrounds. He has a special each month where the forum members get to vote on what 3 muslins they would like to see on special and he will sell the 10x20 for $149 (half price). It's a great deal and that's how I bought all 4 of mine and how I also found the forum.

I've also had my share of raw muslin. You can buy it through a number of fabric stores. Seattle Frabic and Chicago Canvas are two that sell raw and bleached muslin. I've also used dyed muslin. They are fine for awhile, but after you start getting more into studio style photography, you want something that looks a little more professional. That's when you start looking to move up to the painted muslins.

There are a lot of stuff that will work, but it's like buying your first used car out of high school on a part time job vrs buying your first brand new car when you are working at a very good paying job. The beater up used car gets you around, but that new car sure does feel and smell good. :D

Mike

[mjordan]

Here is the link to Chicago Canvas. You can get wide mulsin there:
http://www.chicagocanvas.com/

Mike

[weka2000]

What are people using to hang the backdrops and how do you store them so they dont crease?

It would be used in my lounge and put away later, unless the wife wants a new type of wall lining :)

[Khaos05]

What are people using to hang the backdrops and how do you store them so they dont crease?

It would be used in my lounge and put away later, unless the wife wants a new type of wall lining :)

there are hangers on that website...and for storage I would say roll it up i guess:confused:

[mjordan]

I use a seamless paper roll background holder to put my backdrops on. I can leave a roll of paper on the 9' bar that goes across it and throw one or more muslins over it. I sometimes leave the roll of paper rolled out on the floor. This helps smooth the muslin a bit because it's laying flat against something. My non-painted muslins I just wad up and throw in a ruck sack or the corner of the couch. My painted muslins I losely fold them up and lay then to the side. With painted muslins the more you use them the softer they get, so wrinkles fall out easier. Creases can be a bit more difficult to get out. What I found that works the best (when it's not raining) is lay the muslin out in my back yard on the ground during the day. The act of the sun warming it up and mositure coming up from the ground helps to relax the creases. I'll bring it in about dusk and hang it up. If I have to I'll repeat this the next day. This also helps dissapate some of the paint smell on a new painted muslin.

Some people will use a spray bottle and spay down the muslin and let it dry hanging up or they use one of the personal steam machines. These work also.

Mike

[thrumyeye]

I'm looking for a nice muslin background that is not overly-expensive. I checked out the link to Chicago Canvas provided by mjordan and they look reliable. Specifically, I'm wanting something in a natural tone - an off-white or beige/tan.

I recently ordered one from Amvona.com that was "natural" and it showed up and was obviously peach/pink in color. It was returned the next day. The "natural" muslin listed by Chicago Canvas doesn't have a photo showing the actual color. Any idea what tone a natural is? I have not seen any, so I'm uncertain if it's more white/gray/peach in tone...

Any other recommended web companies out there to order inexpensive, but good quality muslins from?

[mjordan]

The natural colored muslin is a very weak tea color. Natual is also called raw muslin. This is what it looks like before it's bleached to make a white muslin. If you know what plain broadcloth looks like at the fabric store, it's close to that.

I've bought a lot through Chicago Canvas and they have always been good. Another source of material, including nylons and sail cloth is Seattle Fabric at: http://www.seattlefabrics.com/

Mike