Backdrops for people/portrait

[texassand]

Can anyone make any recommendations on where to buy backdrops for people/portrait photography? I need a couple of good/affordable ones. Also, can anyone explain the best material to use? I know there are a lot of different varieties (like canvas, muslin, ect.) I am just not sure which is best.

Thanks

[robertwgross]

It seems like this same question comes up time and time again.

There are at least two kinds of backdrops. One kind is plain, and one kind is fancy. In the plain one, generally you are looking for a plain blob of color, or even black. Gray is also popular. Generally you are trying to get a solid color background without any visible pattern or texture on it. A fuzzy gray or black synthetic fabric works here, or even a king size fleece blanket. Black velvet is very good, but it is also expensive. Black velveteen is very good, and not quite so expensive. I've used dark blue and light blue.

The fancy kind of backdrop has some kind of pattern or design on it. In many cases, it is a cotton muslin or canvas fabric that has been either dyed or painted, sometimes with a random pattern, and sometimes with a semi-recognizable scene. Painted ones are a little more reflective, and dyed ones are more subtle. Often, the backdrop pattern has a very light patch in the center, and sometimes it is a very dark patch. That patch can be lined up behind a portrait subject's head, and use a dark patch for a light-haired subject and a light patch for a dark-haired subject.

---Bob Gross---

[Ken Fong]

For plain ones, I found some colored ones at Walgreens (Walmart, Longs, etc.) in the form of cheap fleece blankets. Just make sure they don't reflect too much light. I could use something larger and lighter however.

[robertwgross]

Yes, the cheap fleece blankets will work. You want to buy the largest ones possible, like king size. You also want to buy the thickest ones possible, so the thickness of the fabric will soak up more light.

---Bob Gross---