Looking into buying some Muslin backdrops. Never used them. I usually find an interesting wall to shoot against but am finding it more and more that I need backdrops. Just ordered a decent stand but can't seem to find decent backdrops. Every one I look at seems to have some kind of negative issue like color isn't as described. What do you all use? And is Muslin the way to go?
Backdrops
- Thread starter FastGlass
- Start date
Muslin does seem a purchasing problem, not being as advertized... Other than white or black, the good ones cost a couple hundred dollars, from people specializing in it. The cheap imports are less than a mixed bag, just something to sell.
Muslins can be bought for B&H and Adorama, where you can at least send them back.
Another choice is the seamless paper rolls. Inexpensive, except shipping probably costs more than the roll, so a local camera shop can be best if you can transport them home.
Not the same look, but both can be great. Muslin suffers visible wrinkles, which can be removed with a steamer. The paper is fragile, you tear it off as it gets creases or tears.
Muslins can be bought for B&H and Adorama, where you can at least send them back.
Another choice is the seamless paper rolls. Inexpensive, except shipping probably costs more than the roll, so a local camera shop can be best if you can transport them home.
Not the same look, but both can be great. Muslin suffers visible wrinkles, which can be removed with a steamer. The paper is fragile, you tear it off as it gets creases or tears.
Mfrankfort
Senior Member
Take a look at cowboy studio backdrops. They're pretty cheap, and seem to get good reviews.
I like muslin, but I also like f/8 to f/11, and the wrinkles gave me fits until I got a steamer.
IMO, white or black is a novelty, which gets old, real fast. The most versatile color of background is medium gray. Does not clash, and it can be many things (light, dark), depending on how you light it. Also takes color gels well, much better than black or white.
Savage Thunder Gray seamless (#27) is a classic.
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In the late 1990's I bought 3 muslin backdrops from Backdrop Outlet. They were expensive (and quite large), but I opted for the reversible ones that offered a completely different color on the back. Two of them were fine but the third had to be redone. Apparently all of them were done by hand, and the one backdrop was way too dark compared to how it looked in their catalog/online. They graciously created another which turned out beautifully; however, because it was newly created, it smelled so strongly from the oil based paints that I had to leave it hanging up for days to air.
As Wayne mentioned, a steamer will help remove wrinkles, but if you are going elsewhere for the shoot, it means having to transport the steamer. And some photographers actually do!
As Wayne mentioned, a steamer will help remove wrinkles, but if you are going elsewhere for the shoot, it means having to transport the steamer. And some photographers actually do!