Advice on a backdrop

[SConway]

Hi Everyone,

Im new around here. Im just wondering what do you suggest for backdrops? I bought some plain black material from wal mart the other day, But Its not going to be wide enough, So I think Im going to have to get a second sheet of it and figure something out...

What do you guys use as backdrops??

[milleker]

This would have gotten more results from the Studio Lighting group.. Just an FYI for the future. Perhaps a Mod can move this for you?

Back when I was starting out I tried a few different things.. Wal-mart's cheap bedsheets make a nice background. Lots of colors. Get yourself a steamer to steam out the creases or accept creases as a fact of life and just bring your subject far enough from the background to throw them out of focus.

Crumple the fabric in the bag. Never fold backdrops or you'll have patterned creases where you folded the fabric.

It is absolutely OK that the fabric is somewhat see-through. Of course don't let sun from a window hit the back of it. Any ambient light that happens to show through will not even become an issue if you're using strobes. If you are shooting ambient, double up on the fabric.

It's cheap enough, get a white, black and gray. If you have plenty of space between your subject and the background you could really just get a gray piece and light it for white or don't for black. Since you're starting out, get them all. Later down the road you can always use the white for a diffuser for your light, the black for subtracting light. Etc..

Good luck, lots of studio time will get you up to speed in no time.

[SConway]

Thanks for the advice! Ill give it all a shot. Any idea for a stand that will hold the backdrop up? Also any idea for DIY lighting?

[milleker]

B&H Sells a background stand from a company called 'Impact'. Think it's $100, but it comes with two stands and 12' of background crossbar that comes in 3' sections that can be used in 2, 3 or 4 section increments.

My second thought is to buy some 3/4" PVC from Home Depot (or your favorite hardware store). Build yourself legs, a crossbar and feet to keep it sturdy. If you don't mind putting two screws into a wall get a grommet/eyelet kit from Home Depot and pop a grommet in each corner, over the screws, done.

DIY lighting, the cheapest is to get some halogen work lights at your hardware store. They'll technically be 'hot lights' which mean they don't flash, but are bright enough that they are better than lighting you'd have around the house. With that said, remember that they get RED HOT when left on for so long. Be careful with them tipping over, scorching your subject or catching things on fire.

Lastly, while you're getting PVC, build yourself something like a 4x6" rectangle with feet. Drape a white sheet over it, shine your light into the back of the sheet. Instant soft box. Be double careful the hot halogens do not catch the sheet on fire. Until you know how your setups work, keep an eye on temperatures of the objects around your lights.