Friday, September 23, 2005
Using photo muslin backdrops
Tricks for using Backdrops
written by Ann Martinez
Backdrops can either enhance your photography or frustrate it.
Born a photographer's daughter, I starting shooting schools, little leagues and other portraits by the age of 10! When I was 5-years old my dad paid me a penny a package to help out with the busy fall school season.
Determined to escape the photography business, I went to college, fell in love with an artist, and for 13 years now, Russ Martinez and I have owned and operated Signature Backgrounds. It seemed we learned to do everything the hard way, but nonetheless, we learned. We learned how to make backdrops and we learned how to shoot on them. We have travelled throughout the USA, and visited with literally thousands of photographers. I wanted to post this blog to note just a few of the shooting tips we've learned. (they may seem elementary, but might be helpful nonetheless - after all, we learn from you guys, the photographers.)
1. If you don't like wrinkles AT ALL, you probably want to stick with using Canvas Backdrops.
http://www.muslin-backgrounds.com/catalog_c139619.html Another option is to steam your muslin backdrops and hang them in a semi permanent spot. This can be limiting, however.
2. When shooting on muslin, try to keep your subject at least 3 feet in front of the drop. This way, if there are any tiny wrinkles, they will fall out of focus.
3. When shooting on a high key backdrop, remember, you must light it as much, if not more than your subject. http://www.muslin-backgrounds.com/catalog_c139684.html If you do not do this, you will not get a bright, hi key effect. It will have somewhat of a dingy look to it.
4. If you don't want to use a backlight, check into purchasing a backdrop with the vignette painted on it. See some of these: http://www.muslin-backgrounds.com/catalog_c139605.html
Here are some similar ones, but they are two sided: http://www.muslin-backgrounds.com/catalog_c139661.html
5. For a casual, youthful look. A marbled backdrop is economical and versatile. See these: http://www.muslin-backgrounds.com/catalog_c139573.html
6. If a backdrop is not lit, it will always fall of darker than it looks in person. This is not necessarily a bad thing, if fact, some of the most artistic portraits I have seen have been done this way.
7. When you first receive a backdrop that you have purchased, don't judge it by its rolled up form. It must be opened up, hung, and viewed through a camera lens to truly get an idea of the backdrop. Than, always remember, YOU, the Photographer, are an artist. Your lighting, subject and prop placement, and camera settings will alter the appearance of the backdrop. I've also seen significant changes made to a backdrop by the final lab color settings.
8. The larger your light source, I mean light box or umbrella, the softer the shadows will be on your subject. I've even seen where a photographer bounced the lights off of the white walls to make for a very soft lighting effect.
Always feel free to contact us at Signature Backgrounds 877-346-5614 to help you out with your backdrop needs. http://www.muslin-backgrounds.com
or
http://www.backdrops-photography-backdrops.com
Backdrops can either enhance your photography or frustrate it.
Born a photographer's daughter, I starting shooting schools, little leagues and other portraits by the age of 10! When I was 5-years old my dad paid me a penny a package to help out with the busy fall school season.
Determined to escape the photography business, I went to college, fell in love with an artist, and for 13 years now, Russ Martinez and I have owned and operated Signature Backgrounds. It seemed we learned to do everything the hard way, but nonetheless, we learned. We learned how to make backdrops and we learned how to shoot on them. We have travelled throughout the USA, and visited with literally thousands of photographers. I wanted to post this blog to note just a few of the shooting tips we've learned. (they may seem elementary, but might be helpful nonetheless - after all, we learn from you guys, the photographers.)
1. If you don't like wrinkles AT ALL, you probably want to stick with using Canvas Backdrops.
http://www.muslin-backgrounds.com/catalog_c139619.html Another option is to steam your muslin backdrops and hang them in a semi permanent spot. This can be limiting, however.
2. When shooting on muslin, try to keep your subject at least 3 feet in front of the drop. This way, if there are any tiny wrinkles, they will fall out of focus.
3. When shooting on a high key backdrop, remember, you must light it as much, if not more than your subject. http://www.muslin-backgrounds.com/catalog_c139684.html If you do not do this, you will not get a bright, hi key effect. It will have somewhat of a dingy look to it.
4. If you don't want to use a backlight, check into purchasing a backdrop with the vignette painted on it. See some of these: http://www.muslin-backgrounds.com/catalog_c139605.html
Here are some similar ones, but they are two sided: http://www.muslin-backgrounds.com/catalog_c139661.html
5. For a casual, youthful look. A marbled backdrop is economical and versatile. See these: http://www.muslin-backgrounds.com/catalog_c139573.html
6. If a backdrop is not lit, it will always fall of darker than it looks in person. This is not necessarily a bad thing, if fact, some of the most artistic portraits I have seen have been done this way.
7. When you first receive a backdrop that you have purchased, don't judge it by its rolled up form. It must be opened up, hung, and viewed through a camera lens to truly get an idea of the backdrop. Than, always remember, YOU, the Photographer, are an artist. Your lighting, subject and prop placement, and camera settings will alter the appearance of the backdrop. I've also seen significant changes made to a backdrop by the final lab color settings.
8. The larger your light source, I mean light box or umbrella, the softer the shadows will be on your subject. I've even seen where a photographer bounced the lights off of the white walls to make for a very soft lighting effect.
Always feel free to contact us at Signature Backgrounds 877-346-5614 to help you out with your backdrop needs. http://www.muslin-backgrounds.com
or
http://www.backdrops-photography-backdrops.com
