Backdrop stands and backdrop materials suggestions.

Hello everyone,

I am trying to get started into studio photography. I have invested in a couple of speed lights, light stands, umbrellas, ring light, and a flash controller I am now ready to pull the trigger on backdrop stand and some kind of backdrop or drops I guess. I am looking for some specific suggestions. There are a million different brands and materials for backdrops. I need the setup to be portable, as I have no room for a permanent set up in my apartment, and I would like it for some portrait shoots and most importantly for some creative shoots with my twin Granddaughters. think do it yourself Christmas cards and such. Budget is around $200 give or take. Thank you for any help and insights you may have.

Westcott X-Drop system is a soft material you can put in dryer to remove wrinkles. Comes in White, Gray, Black or Green. Also 5x7 or 5x12 ft for Full length.
Portable small light collapsible stand that has been redesigned to allow even closer to back wall to around 18”
I keep one in the car. All fits in a carry bag that is about 36” long.
Savage has a similar product, Savage Travel Backdrop as well.
Both are very nice as I have the Savage as well.

Thank you for suggestions. I will take a look!

Nick5 wrote in post #19067979
Westcott X-Drop system is a soft material you can put in dryer to remove wrinkles. Comes in White, Gray, Black or Green. Also 5x7 or 5x12 ft for Full length.
Portable small light collapsible stand that has been redesigned to allow even closer to back wall to around 18”
I keep one in the car. All fits in a carry bag that is about 36” long.
Savage has a similar product, Savage Travel Backdrop as well.
Both are very nice as I have the Savage as well.

Posts like this are a big reason I recommend POTN to up and coming photographers.

I've been testing out Kate's Backdrops for the last few weeks. They are computer-printed on something like a short-nap velvet microfiber fabric. The imaging is kind of "out of focus," and the velvety surface is non-reflective. The fabric itself resists wrinkling pretty well.

So far, they're working out pretty well. Kate's Backdrops has many of their backdrops on Amazon, but they also have a website to order direct.

RDKirk wrote in post #19093980
I've been testing out Kate's Backdrops for the last few weeks. They are computer-printed on something like a short-nap velvet microfiber fabric. The imaging is kind of "out of focus," and the velvety surface is non-reflective. The fabric itself resists wrinkling pretty well.

So far, they're working out pretty well. Kate's Backdrops has many of their backdrops on Amazon, but they also have a website to order direct.

Works well. I’ve ordered direct, no issues. It can be ironed quickly if needed. Here’s a shot.

Photo from ImageMaker...'s gallery.
Image hosted by forum (899598)

ImageMaker... wrote in post #19094371
Works well. I’ve ordered direct, no issues. It can be ironed quickly if needed. Here’s a shot.

Gallery photo (hosted):
posted by ImageMaker... originally in forum: Flash and Studio Lighting

That was the first of Kate's Backdrops that I bought.

Just received an order from Katebackdrops and I am impressed. Good quality, prices and my order arrived three days early! They work well with lighting.

RandallB wrote in post #19102404
Just received an order from Katebackdrops and I am impressed. Good quality, prices and my order arrived three days early! They work well with lighting.

They do have nice stuff

Photo from ImageMaker...'s gallery.
Image hosted by forum (1015495)

ImageMaker... wrote in post #19102476
They do have nice stuff

Yes they do. I have 5 or 6 of their jersey cloth backdrops and really like them. I'm going to give one of their hand painted canvas drops a shoot soon.

For the OP, with regard to backdrop stands:

I would not bother with stands except for backdrops on location. There are various solutions for that, depending on what you plan to shoot and the conditions you're likely to face.

But for a set-up in a small home space, I would look at a solution in which the backdrop attachment is more or less permanent (small holes in ceiling or wall that can be easily Spackled when you move out), and the background can be quickly attached and removed. The attachment points would be unobtrusive when the backdrop is removed.

The reason I'd avoid stands is because they simply take up too much valuable floor space. They're also never as reliable as you'd want.

Look at the location you would want the backdrop and consider whether the attachment points would be better on the wall or the ceiling. Consider hanging the backdrop from a suspended bar, such as an 1-inch aluminum electrical conduit. You can get them cut to close to length (say, two inches shorter than the width of the wall), put some clip rings on them (see Amazon link below), and hang the backdrop like like a curtain.

There are various ways to attache the conduit rod from either ceiling or wall, and that can be discussed once you've considered your situation.

https://www.amazon.com …tle_o03_s00?ie=​UTF8&psc=1

My studio, which is my living room in my apartment, is 18' x 12'. I have two 10 x 24' muslins that completely cover the floor, one 18ft wall and most of the ceiling. I use clear plastic pushpins.

Are the Savage and Westcott backdrops interchangeable? They appear to both be 5x7 or 5x12 with 5 grommets. Is the Savage or Westcott stand more durable than the other?

CA.
Yes the Savage and Westcott are interchangeable.
In the last year or so Westcott introduced the X-Drop Pro. A sturdier stand that comes with a 8’x 8’ backdrop, your choice of Black, White or Gray. What really makes it nice is you use the same stand and adjust it to fit their traditional 5x7 Backdrops as well. Nice. It is bigger and bulkier. And yes I have the X-Drop Pro with 8x8 in Gray as I, like many have been talking with the Westcott people for a wider X-Drop for years.

Nick5 wrote in post #19571873
CA.
Yes the Savage and Westcott are interchangeable.
In the last year or so Westcott introduced the X-Drop Pro. A sturdier stand that comes with a 8’x 8’ backdrop, your choice of Black, White or Gray. What really makes it nice is you use the same stand and adjust it to fit their traditional 5x7 Backdrops as well. Nice. It is bigger and bulkier. And yes I have the X-Drop Pro with 8x8 in Gray as I, like many have been talking with the Westcott people for a wider X-Drop for years.

Great. I didn't know the X-Drop Pro is compatible with the 5x7s. I have a one-day shoot for many portraits in different offices, so time is a factor. I want to use one of the Savage backgrounds this time.