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07/19/2007 02:22:34 PM · #1 |
| I have been doing some research on the net, looking for info on backdrops. I have come across a lot of them on Ebay, and more than once I have seen "100% Cotton Muslin, the choice of professional photographers" Is this statement true? Is Cotton Muslin the way to go? |
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07/19/2007 06:11:21 PM · #2 |
| It's true depending on how much you read into it. Would a professional photographer choose muslin (which is by definition cotton), sure. Would a professional choose paper, sure. Would a professional photographer choose a collapsible nylon backdrop, sure. etc. Choose the one that makes sense for what you're doing. |
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07/19/2007 06:15:48 PM · #3 |
Would a professional photographer choose to have custom built sets. Sure :-)
TS, is right. It makes sense to choose the backdrops that work for you.
I like paper, but it's not the most portable thing in the world, especially large rolls for full body shots.
Muslins on the other hand can be folded. If you do it right they might not come out so wrinkled.
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07/19/2007 06:28:24 PM · #4 |
OK, that all makes sense. That brings me to my next problem... I don't know what kind of backdrop will work best for me hehe. It will be for an home studio, so I guess the muslin would be best since it can be folded and it sounds like it's fairly hardy.
Thanks for the info. |
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07/19/2007 07:17:25 PM · #5 |
Muslin is cotton... but that doesn't mean it would make a good backdrop. There are a lot of cheap backdrops that are made using very cheap, thin muslin. Just like carpets and canvas and other things, they come in different thicknesses. Raw muslin is the color of weak tea. This is bleached to make white. Other colors are dyed. The best colored muslin is made from cotton threads that were dyed that color before the muslin was created. Cheap dyed muslins were soaked in the color afterwards.
Painted muslins are better than dyed for color but again, not all painted muslin backdrops are equal as well. A well painted muslin backdrop is going to be stiff from the paint. It will soften up with use until it's very soft and flexible.
There are a few good names on e-bay for backdrops, but there are a lot of cheap ones as well.
Mike
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07/19/2007 08:42:43 PM · #6 |
cloth can be folded or stuffed into a bag (folded give you creases, stuffed gives you wrinkles) Steaming it after you hang it and beofe shooting is the cure for wrinkles and creases, or you can fix then in PS later (unless it's a scenic muslin then it's a lot easier to steam them). If you're shooting natural light and have the room you can use a wide ap and throw the BG out of focus which will hide the wrinkles.
paper is good too, but you have to have a decent way of hanging it, moving it an storing it, and if you run it onto the floor you will be cutting off and thowing it away little by little (my kids love to draw on my white paper). comes in 2 widths and white is the most versatile.
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