photo gurus: please recommend a cheap backdrop

[amy-n-2gerards]

I've been reading every book out there to help me become a better photographer, and my Rebel XT should be here tomorrow! YAY!

My favorite subject to photograph is my 2 1/2-yr-old DS. I'd like to buy something to use as a makeshift backdrop. I read in Cathy Zielske's Clean and Simple Scrapbooking that she uses a few yards of black velveteen. Any other suggestions? If you only had one backdrop, would it be black? White? A different color?

TIA!

:)Amy

[daisyrose]

I would recommend inexpensive king/queen size velour blankets from Wal-mart (black if you wanted to get just one). The have that deep velvet texture that is so pretty in photos.

[Tara18]

i have seen some really cute results with regular flat sheets too! (cheap!)

[amy-n-2gerards]

Oh, Daisyrose! Duh, I hadn't even thought of a big blanket! I was thinking that a couple yards of fabric would work, but then it would be too narrow, or I'd have to sew a few together and then I'd have seams! Thanks!

:)Amy

[Melanie Colosimo (lemonyr)]

I second those vellux blankets. They sell them at JCPenney too. If I only could get one, it would be the black. I also browse through the discount fabric at Walmart & Joannes. I have found quite a bit for $1 a yard!!! The vellux is nice though, because it doesn't show wrinkles or creases as much.

Also for the color. Think of your subject. I got black because both of my kids are light skinned with blonde hair. If your little one has dark skin or hair, you might be better off with the white.

[amy-n-2gerards]

Sheets!!! Thanks Tara! Another DUH moment for me!

:)Amy

[crsttt]

I got some material at the fabric store in white. I can't remember exactly what it is called but it is nice and thick and not real soft like fabric but almost canvas.
Sorry I can't remember what it is called I bought it a couple years ago but maybe you can go to the fabric store and look around to see if they have anything you might think will work.

Christy

[amy-n-2gerards]

Boy, this board sure moves fast!

Melanie, thanks for the thoughts on color. My DS has brown hair and medium complexion, so I'll think about color some more. I wonder if it would be harder to expose properly, though, with a white background. Hmmmm. Better go re-read some of my books!

:)Amy

[amy-n-2gerards]

Thanks, Christy. That's just what I was planning for this weekend!

:)Amy

[Holly]

yep sheets!!

i did order some paper backdrops on a roll from B&H that are cheap and easy to use! Lot's of bright colors - and the seamless part makes it easy to cover the floor and background!

[amy-n-2gerards]

Holly, I LOVE B&H! That's where my I got my XT! I'll have to check them out for backdrops, too!

:)Amy

[Holly]

i've bought tons of stuff from them! they rawk - wait till they mail you their BIGGGGG catalog! LOL

[amy-n-2gerards]

We're going to NYC in a few weeks and I'm tempted to go to their mega store in Manhattan. I'm not sure I'd be able to control myself though. I don't even have my camera yet and I have a list a mile long of things I'd like to get!!!!

:)Amy

[Tara18]

yep sheets!!

i did order some paper backdrops on a roll from B&H that are cheap and easy to use! Lot's of bright colors - and the seamless part makes it easy to cover the floor and background!

i have a ? about seamless paper that they sell there. its it special? or can i buy the stuff from teacher supply shops? there is a local shop that has small rolls of it (not width wise but not SO MUCH on a roll, which would be perfect for me) its a lot cheaper than B&H too. i didnt get it because i didtn know if there is a special coating or something on the "photography seamless paper" kwim?

[Di-ahh]

Tablecloths!

Got some big ones on clearance sale after the holidays.

[kddardmom]

I've had pretty good luck with polar fleece in black and white- at least until DH decided that the black one was a blanket and it got washed a few times and faded!

[amy-n-2gerards]

or can i buy the stuff from teacher supply shops

Interesting. Can't wait to hear the answer to this!

:)Amy

[Melanie Colosimo (lemonyr)]

I thought of another thing that I read before. There are sheets at JCPenney that look like the speckled professional backdrops. Search their site for Watercolour Sheets by Alexander Julian. There are multiple different colors.

They're a little expensive, but look awesome! I've been meaning to get a couple, but haven't done it yet.

[juliebee70]

i personally have not been happy with the shots i take with a white backdrop-- the white grays out in pics. if you want a light color, i'd recommend a cream so it doesn't look gray.

[amy-n-2gerards]

Melanie, those look cool. Here's a link:
cool sheets (http://www3.jcpenney.com/jcp/ProductsHOM.aspx?DeptID=25436&CatID=29165&CatTyp=DEP&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=ENS&ItemID=0fb0776&ProdSeq=1&Cat=open+stock&Dep=&PCat=&PCatID=28904&RefPage=ProductList&Sale=&ProdCount=4&RecPtr=&ShowMenu=&TTYP=&ShopBy=0&RefPageName=CategoryA/url)

:)Amy

[amy-n-2gerards]

Thanks, Julie. I'll keep that in mind.

:)Amy

[juliebee70]

i personally have not been happy with the shots i take with a white backdrop-- the white grays out in pics. if you want a light color, i'd recommend a cream so it doesn't look gray.

[Inkspots]

I've had luck on the home fabric clearence racks at the fabric stores. Never would have thought about those blankets! Great suggestion and those sheets are gorgeous! Thanks for this thread.

[Merkeley Designs]

Amy, my Digi Rebel gets here Thursday. I'm excited too... :) Great thread..thanks everyone for the tips.

[Inkspots]

Oh, I forgot to ask, what is B&H?

[Melanie Colosimo (lemonyr)]

Jamie, B&H is a photo store.

www.bhphoto.com

[alb52]

i often use just a plain black queen flat sheet... i've got some white felt that i have yet to try, though! i've also heard that the bright blue felt is awesome, too!

[jencaputo]

you guys are such enablers.. i have a bunch of stuff in my cart at b and h right now.. I made myself a deal, if I put this big pile of stuff I have sitting here on ebay tonight than I get to buy it.. heheh

Can someone tell me why I would want to get an expensive background support system? This one looks good enough for me, any input? I wont be lugging it around anywhere... just putting it up now and then.

background support system (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=cart&A=details&Q=&sku=331728&is=REG)

[Inkspots]

Thank you Melanie, appreciate the link too.

Jen, have you thought of just constructing something out of PVC?

[jencaputo]

I have not - have you done that? I just worry about not being able to easily put it away.. and any time I try to make something myself it ends up costing me more than if I had bought it. Did you ever watch Craft Deathmatch or something like that... their motto was "Remember, it's cheaper and easier to buy it" LOL

[Sinead]

I had a friend who simply put cup hooks up on the wall where she usually shot photos (good natural light, etc.) and grommets in the blanket across the top (spaced fairly evenly and close together so that there wouldn't be sagging). When she needed the backdrop, it was up on the chair for her and hooking the blanket grommets on the hooks. When she was done, down it came and folded up neatly into the closet. It's an idea...cup hooks are cheap! :D

[amy-n-2gerards]

grommets and hooks are a great idea! thanks to everyone who posted here!

:)amy

[Melanie Colosimo (lemonyr)]

Ooohhh...great idea, Sinead! Thanks for posting it!

[Tracie]

Okay... first of all on the subject of backdrops... I have a few pro backdrops... but I find myself using plain black, white or my obnoxious colored flat sheets the most. If you have an outlet mall by you, check out the bedding store. Our's always has a clearance section with twin sheets for $2.99, full for $3.99 and king for $4.99. I love picking up random things from there.

Jen... I'm not sure about that particular backdrop stand. I can only speak about the one I have...

photek (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=41824&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation)

I LOVE it! I love how it comes apart for easy storage and how I can adjust the size. But most of all I love how sturdy it is. My kids abuse mine (in fact they've been using it as a puppet theater lately) and it just takes the abuse with no problems.

alb52 - I have a white piece of felt that I use for all my white background pics... I've had great results with it. The only problem I have with it is the fact that we have a black lab and her hair gets stuck in it.

Okay.... i'm done rambling!

[Tracie]

I knew I forgot something!

PVC pipe backdrop stand... don't do it!!! I have one in my closet here in my office. In order to keep it from falling apart when you use it, you have to glue it together... and if you glue it together you can't take it apart anymore. I didn't glue mine because I needed to be able to take it apart to store it. It was down right dangerous... I never knew when it was going to collapse and hit someone in the head!

[Kim2002]

There is no special coating on the generic paper backdrops. My only concern with getting one from the teacher's supply is that it will likely be too narrow. I prefer a width of 107", but you could get by with one that is half that if you are only photographing one person or small objects.

I have purchased several backdrops, muslin and paper, from Amvona. While I love their products, the wait was ridiculous. I had to wait more than 6 months for one order because it was suddenly out of stock after I paid for it. They never did get what I wanted back in stock, but eventually made good and offered me a better option at no additional charge.

Also, for anyone interested in making your own backdrops, check out this site: http://www.betterphoto.com/exploring/MakingBackDrops.asp

[tlccreates]

I recommend fleece fabric: black, white or whatever color
no wrinkles visible. Use one of the JoAnns coupons to buy it.
I have also tried the extra wide muslin but first it was too wrinkled and then it got moldy storing it in the basement.

I also have a pvc framework for holding the backdrop. It isn't real steady but it hasn't fallen on anyone. My preference would be one of the B&H stands that others have shown links to.

I need portablility. The PVC does this but its like putting together a huge jigsaw puzzle each time I want to use it.


gee, wonder what I could sell on ebay....................

[jencaputo]

Tracie you are so mean! that one is 2 times as much as the one I had in my cart but now I have to get it instead... good thing I got all my ebay auctions up. Wanna see? http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZtradmbQQhtZ-1

whew... that took me like 4 hours.. so much for scrapping tonight.

Ok, well yay me, i have a new support system! now to find something for a backdrop....

[stierney]

I haven't read all the replies yet ... but....

I use a huge piece of black flannel. It works great. I also have some cheap $1 bin fabric from Wal-Mart that I love.

DH made me this backdrop stand out of PVC pipe. I love it!

[tammie33]

This has been a great thread. Thanks for the wonderful ideas.

And I have to agree that BHPhoto ROCKS!

[Tracie]

Sorry Jen! :oops: But I think you'll be very happy with that purchase.

BTW, I looked at your photography wish list on your blog... I have several of the things on your list so if you ever need someone to "enable" you let me know! :lol:

[Kathryn Balint]

I love the idea of the fleece and the blanket. I needed just a small backdrop to do headshots of my son for his audition photos, so I used a few yards of black felt (my son is blond). It worked great. I also have used a white sheet, but I don't like all of the wrinkles that show up, and I usually end up doing a ton of photo-editing to fix the background.

And, like Tracie, I have a flimsy plastic-pipe contraption that I put together to hold my sheet backdrop. Mine hasn't collapsed on anyone - yet - but I find it so huge that it's a pain to put together and take apart. So I almost never use it.

[Kim2002]

If you're doing close-ups, you can use one of those free-standing garment racks to rig up your cloth backdrop. They are easy to assemble and disassemble, plus they are relatively lightweight. You can get them pretty much anywhere....in a variety of price ranges, too.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v51/Kim2002/Garment-Rack.jpg

[jencaputo]

they shipped it already!!!! Wow they are good!!!! I didn't get any paper rolls or anything, with everything you ladies have said i'm thinking there are other things that will work just as well for now!

Ohhhh Tracie... bad bad girl you. My boyfriend is so mad at me, i just dropped $1000 at Canoga camera 2 days ago.. ouch!!!! (I told him i should have scrapped his picture for Father's day since he likes to tell how to spend my money so much) Don't enable me yet, gimme a month or so for him to forget that i just blew the grand on a new lens and flash.. heheh

Kim what a cool idea - makes it pretty portable too!!