Background Material - DPChallenge Forums

05/13/2007 11:21:50 PM · #1

Hey
I'm trying to find a decent black material to use a backdrop for taking close up and still shots with various objects? Can anybody recommend anything?

kawana

Sony Alpha a7R

Samyang 135mm f/2 ED UMC

05/14/2007 03:08:29 AM · #2

how big are you talking? If not that big do the super duper cheap thing and get those big poster boards from the dollar store, they come in a crapload of colors and best of all, if you find you dont like them there really cheap so you dont really lose anything. If your talking bigger backdrops then i cant help :P

Message edited by author 2007-05-14 03:09:47.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

05/14/2007 11:05:15 PM · #3

it doesn't need to be that big, like at the weekend i was trying to take a shot of a flower against a black background, but I hunted around the house and found serious lack of black material to use so ended up using a black shirt, but you could see the texture in the material which ruined the whole effect especially as i was using flash and it was bouncing off the shirt

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

05/14/2007 11:08:53 PM · #4

Chris, try a yard of black velvet. You can fold it up and take it with you and it doesn't wrinkle very much (especially the synthetic velvet).

Edit cause my name-brain was dead lol

Message edited by author 2007-05-14 23:09:26.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

05/14/2007 11:12:17 PM · #5

thank you Idnic, any ideas where i can get this from? Would a material or art and craft shop be likely to sell it?

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

05/14/2007 11:17:12 PM · #6

Originally posted by dewdodesign:

thank you Idnic, any ideas where i can get this from? Would a material or art and craft shop be likely to sell it?

Craft shop, probably, but best bet is JoAnns or a fabric store. Should be a bit cheaper there since they would have larger volumes.

Ozzie

Nikon D90

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4G ED VR

05/14/2007 11:17:42 PM · #7

Since I used to work in a fabric store, you are more likely to find velvets in a Bridal fabric section, such as Gardham's (Brisbane), I don't know what Sydney has. Lincraft may have it, I can't think of any other places that may have it but Sydney is a good place as any to start. It's been a few years since I bought fabric in Australia, so good luck! (NOTE: there are several types of velvet, such as cotton, rayon, etc..and then there is the cheap imitation, called velveteen, don't get that as that has a dull look and it is a thin fabric. The one Cindy is talking about feels luxurious)

Hope this helps!

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

05/14/2007 11:26:12 PM · #8

cool, thanks for your help guys.

Just one more question.... if I was to use the velvet to do close up still shots and wanted to use a flash, would the velvet reflect any light? I always thought velvet had shiney appearance? Or can you get a dull matte type of velvet?

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

05/14/2007 11:30:08 PM · #9

Originally posted by dewdodesign:

You want to light the item and not the material, but no, velvet should absorb most of your light with minimal reflections. That's why I suggested it. ;)

Ozzie

Nikon D90

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm f/4G ED VR

05/14/2007 11:35:57 PM · #10

The thicker the velvet the better as it absorbs more light. It shouldn't reflect off it. My father used to use velvet as a backdrop against gemstones, when he would take close ups of them.

As I'm typing this, I see Cindy has confirmed what I said. :-)