white background - DPChallenge Forums

04/20/2012 10:32:19 AM · #1

i am in need of a white background this weekend. i dont have time to order one online. i have a few fabric stores in the area. is there any type of material that will produce good results that i can pick up there?

04/20/2012 10:59:42 AM · #2

Muslin.

You could also pick up a painters drop cloth from Home Depot. ;D

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

04/20/2012 12:07:33 PM · #3

They come in white?

alanfreed

Nikon Z9

04/20/2012 12:28:01 PM · #4

I had good luck with a local fabric store when I was in the market for a white backdrop. I don't know what the stuff is called, but it almost has a vinyl feel to it. It doesn't reflect the light, creating shiny spots or anything. The two sides are slightly different in texture, and light won't pass through it. In fact, the lady at the store had a name for the material, referring to the fact that it wouldn't let light through. Naturally, I don't remember that term :)

You might be surprised that your fabric store clerks may be able to recommend something for that purpose... the lady I dealt with said that it wasn't at all unusual for photographers to come in looking for such things.

I've been using the same material for a few years now, and it can be scrubbed down pretty easily. It has been great, and I'm sure it didn't cost more than $30-ish.

04/20/2012 12:32:07 PM · #5

Originally posted by mike_311:

They come in white?

You can find them in white. They're cotton canvas. Make you sure get one that says it's seamless though. You can do a google search putting the term "white drop cloth" and find a store local carrying them.

eta: Kmart has 9x12 white for $17.99. link

or you can get a pack of 3 9x12 white textured paper cloths... link
oops that one was clear.

and a 9ft x 15 foot of bleached muslin would cost you about $32 at JoAnn fabrics... link

Message edited by author 2012-04-20 12:45:58.

04/21/2012 12:20:18 PM · #6

i found the muslin, but my coupon doesn't start til tomorrow. the stuff seems kind of thin, its 108" wide, is this the right stuff?

i found some stuff to make curtains out of, some type of dull finished vinyl that looks like it would work great. but its only 58" wide.

04/21/2012 12:55:15 PM · #7

Originally posted by mike_311:

Where did you go? The one I linked to at JoAnn fabrics was 90" wide (though they do have wider) by how ever many yards you wanted. I put in 4 yards (12ft) for a price of $32. I think the thinner you go the cheaper it is, but I'm not sure you want to go that thin.

04/21/2012 01:00:16 PM · #8

There is a studio muslin at $10/yard 90" wide. This might be the weight/thickness you need.... //www.joann.com/legacy-studio-premium-muslin-bleached-90-/zprd_10367290a/

Message edited by author 2012-04-21 13:00:38.

04/22/2012 07:47:44 AM · #9

i saw the 90" wide but they had 108" it was 11.99 a yard. i told the lady it was for a photography back drop and she said people use this stuff all the time.

it was the thickest muslin they had, i just expected it to be thicker, it wasn't any thicker than a bedsheet.

am i supposed to double it up?

Message edited by author 2012-04-22 07:51:57.

04/22/2012 10:01:50 AM · #10

Originally posted by mike_311:

I'm not sure. When I worked at Lifetouch their muslin was pretty thick. I don't own any muslin myself, I just use random fabrics when need be. I've read about the canvas working well (the painters drop cloths) but haven't used that myself either.

04/22/2012 10:05:33 AM · #11

Here you go... read this... //www.betterphoto.com/exploring/MakingBackDrops.asp

smardaz

04/22/2012 10:06:34 AM · #12

Originally posted by mike_311:

thin is not neccesarily bad depending on what you want to do, are you planning on just blowing out the b/g for that white studio look?

Message edited by author 2012-04-22 10:06:45.

04/22/2012 10:23:03 AM · #13

Yes

smardaz

04/22/2012 10:43:23 AM · #14

i've used bed sheets for that, if you're pointing the flashes at the b/g to blow it out it wont matter if its not as thick as muslin

Message edited by author 2012-04-22 10:43:53.