Backdrop Material

[mzthang]

Question....

What is the best type of material to use for backdrops in portraiture's or still life's? I want to run to the fabric store and get white and black but not sure what would be the best material to use.

Thanks :)
Carol

[neonmike]

Most any fabric works well a long as it's thick enough to block light from comming through. Although that can be a nice effect too. I've used everything from bed sheets and blankets to pricey muslins. Sometimes I still resort to the old blankets for shots.

When you're just starting out experiment. Find different patterns that would make interesting backdrops. You'd be amazed at the effects you can come up with.

[mzthang]

Thanks. Last night I was running through my blanket/sheet inventory to see what I could use and for this set up I can use white sheets, but I don't have anything black I could use. I was just wondering if there were particular things to stay away from because they would actually grab light where you might not want it. Ok, off to the fabric store to look around for something black :)

[Kaki]

Oh, and if you use fabric from the fabric store (you can get some cheap stuff in the discount bin), always make sure it's ironed real good before shooting. Any wrinkle will magically appear in the photo.

[julimucca]

I just bought king sized black and white bed sheets. They were on sale at walmart for about $8.
The wall I have them in front of is painted a dark blue, so that might help with the lighting, but I think they would work just fine otherwise too.
Also, Adorama.com has some paper for 12 yards for $21.00.
I am definately thinking about getting some, so If I do, I will let you know how it works. Its 4 ft wide, also.

[mzthang]

Thanks for the tip. My biggest issue right now is to find space where I can shoot but don't have to take everything down and put it back up again. What a pain!