Handling muslin backgrounds

[SkipD]

I just bought my first muslin background - a tie-dyed 10' x 20' model. It came all nicely rolled up and then put into a supplied bag. Obviously, this is the wrong way to package it if one wants to eliminate the long creases that it came with.

I tossed it into the washer and then dried it at low temperature, and that eliminated most of the primary creases. I then used a travel steamer to remove a few more creases at the edges.

My question - what method(s) should I consider using for stuffing it into the bag in a way that would prevent long creases and leave only short random creases that would blend into the pattern? Should I wad it up and then stuff it into the bag? Should I start at one corner and carefully make it wad up during the stuffing process? Etc.......

[jra]

IMO...the best thing to do is randomly wad it up and stuff it in the bag. Random wrinkles blend in much better than long straight creases. I also use a steamer when I get it out to remove any large very noticable creases.

[TMR Design]

Hi Skip,

I got my first muslin background a while ago and although I don't travel with it, everything I've read in similar posts indicates tha most people either hang the background and steam the large creases out or do as jra says and just randomly ball it up so there is a fairly even distribution of creases. If you have the distance to space the subject from the background and/or have the ability to use a shallower depth of field then that seems to be the best solution.

The only other solution is the one I like the least, and that is to use Photoshop to blue the background and wipe away all the unwanted creases or folds.

[SkipD]

Thanks for the responses so far, fellas.

I understand the use of a steamer, getting the background out of focus, etc. What I'm looking for is hints about the best way to "randomly" stuff the muslin into the bag to prevent the larger and more regular creases from being created.

Somebody who's "on the road" a lot with their portrait rig has to have some secrets that can be passed on - I hope :p.

[TMR Design]

I don't know that there are any secrets Skip. I've read tons of threads on this topic. Most seem to say they just ball it up.

If you come up with something better I'm sure we'd all love to hear about it. As far as I know the only other solution is to roll it up on your background rod or a cardboard tube that is 10 feet long.

[Wilt]

Skip, yes, just grab handfuls randomly and stuff it into a storage bag (I have even used gym bags for this purpose when I need them to travel to jobs with me) to make the wrinkles totally random in placement. Don't bother steaming, except to get rid of those non-random creases that were in it when new. And rely upon separation distance from the subject to render the wrinkles even less apparent. the randomness actually gets better over multiple stuffings in a bag.

[FlashZebra]

Skip,

I'm with Wilt.

Wash it, dry it, stuff it in a tight bag.

This insures a lot of micro wrinkles, but no long linear wrinkles that cause real issues.

Since you are setting up ad hoc studios, you have no reasonable way to eliminate all the wrinkles.

It is sort of like the advice to Luke Skywalker, just go with the wrinkles, Skip.

Enjoy! Lon

[ElGordo]

Thanks for the responses so far, fellas.

I understand the use of a steamer, getting the background out of focus, etc. What I'm looking for is hints about the best way to "randomly" stuff the muslin into the bag to prevent the larger and more regular creases from being created.

Somebody who's "on the road" a lot with their portrait rig has to have some secrets that can be passed on - I hope :p.

I use a portable aluminum frame that permits me to stretch the fabric and clip the sides with cheap plastic spring loaded clamps. That pulls the really coarse creases out fairly smooth. When storing, I just cram them into the bags! One disadvantage to the portable frame: It is only 8X7 feet which limits the size of the subject(s).

[Transcendence]

I follow the ball it up and stuff it in a bag process as well.

[magicmikey]

A friend of mine has owned one for several years and he loaned it to me. His wife had made a large sack like a pillow case and he said to "just wad it up" and shove it in. I found that I had to shove it in a little at a time being very haphazard.

Michael

[c71clark]

I have one being delivered as well, and I am glad to have this info before it gets here. I also bought a 5x7 collapsible background... basically a giant reflector... that is white on one side and black on the other. This way I will get to try them both. They make 8x8 collapsible background too (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/96983-REG/Westcott_5975_8x8_Illuminator_Plus_Muslin.html), with an extra bit of fabric to allow you to make it a seamless. I suspect I will end up going with this. More money, but seems easier to move and use.

[mjordan]

I loosely fold and roll mine. As long as I don't pack it down or put something heavy on it, it shakes out pretty well with out all the little wrinkles and creases that wadding it up and stuffing it into a sack will do. If I'm going to store it for awhile, I'll stuff it into it's sack and then run it through the drier on tumble no heat for awhile. My painted muslins I teat a bit different as they don't roll up wad up as easy as the solid color and raw muslins do.

When I hang my muslin, I find if I put a roll of seamless paper on the rod and pull it down to the floor, the muslin lays flater against it than if it just hangs on it's on. As long as I don't have some deep creases, it lays pretty flat.

Mike

[FlashZebra]

A friend of mine has owned one for several years and he loaned it to me. His wife had made a large sack like a pillow case and he said to "just wad it up" and shove it in. I found that I had to shove it in a little at a time being very haphazard.

Michael
There are very inexpensive nylon mesh laundry bags equipped with a drawstring that work nicely.

I have a couple that I paid only $1.00 for and they work perfectly.

Enjoy! Lon

[SkipD]

The muslins that I bought (one to be delivered today) actually come with bags to put them in, so that's not a problem at all.

It's the method of grabbing and stuffing that I am trying to figure out to get the most random pattern of creases possible. I've had my first muslin hanging since the day it arrived last week, and will be putting it into the bag today. I suppose experimentation with handling it will be the best teacher.

Thanks to all who have commented.

[Wilt]

The stuff method...grab a random handful, stuff; repeat as necessary!

[solley]

Hi Skip,

I just wad up muslins in a bag, then use a quick trick of using a water bottle to get the wrinkles out when I pull them out again. I wrote a quick article on the topic on my web site (http://www.sublime-light.com/index.php/2007/07/26/howto-get-the-wrinkles-out-of-muslin-backgrounds/). It works quite well and only takes a couple minutes on site.

[SkipD]

The stuff method...grab a random handful, stuff; repeat as necessary!

I kinda figured that one out, I just need to get a feel for a "random handful" I guess :p.

I just wad up muslins in a bag, then use a quick trick of using a water bottle to get the wrinkles out when I pull them out again. I wrote a quick article on the topic on my web site (http://www.sublime-light.com/index.php/2007/07/26/howto-get-the-wrinkles-out-of-muslin-backgrounds/). It works quite well and only takes a couple minutes on site.Many thanks for the water spray tip, Tim. That sounds like it's a lot easier to do than using a travel steamer.

[solley]

Many thanks for the water spray tip, Tim. That sounds like it's a lot easier to do than using a travel steamer.

No sweat Skip. Just remember to use clean, filtered or bottled water. I have really hard water and don't want all that calcium buildup on my muslins.

[SkipD]

No sweat Skip. Just remember to use clean, filtered or bottled water. I have really hard water and don't want all that calcium buildup on my muslins.Yep... We have a softener for the whole house AND a micro-filter in the kitchen. I would use that, just like I use it for our steam iron, batteries, etc.