Homemade Backdrops - good or bad idea?

Question

I can not afford backdrops, because one i dont have the money, and too I dont have too time for photography because i work for a videographer [http://saylorstudios.com] well until i start college at brooks institute of photography.
But im still wondering if theres any way i can make my own. simple ones. so recommend any colors or types of material?

Thanks

Answer 1

There is absolutely nothing wrong with creating homemade backdrops, and in fact sometimes it is the only choice if your client is requesting something which cannot be purchased.
The best and cheapest way to create a backdrop really depends on your style of photography. If you shoot digital sometimes you can get away with utilizing a simple white or black paper roll backdrop and dropping out the background in photoshop and replacing it with a digital one. Other ways of creating a backdrop is using a large format digital printer to print digital backgrounds created in photoshop and printing your backdrop on canvas or matte paper (for larger images you can tile your prints). As far as creating your own backdrops use a heavy stock fabric, as thin fabric will reveal the background if you are using strong strobes. Anyway be creative with backdrops, almost anything can work. One of my favorite places to find backdrops is to go to recycle-yards(junkyards) and look for large pieces of weathered steel or interesting pieces of sheet metal to use as backdrops.

Answer 2

If you want a really good backdrop find a house painter who will give you an old drop cloth. They are the best but make sure when you use it that it is out of focus. You will be very suprised with the results. You can also turn it around and over so no two pictures have the same b.g.

Answer 3

Nothing wrong with home-made backdrops. I tie-dyed some sheets and used all kinds of different colors. Really cheap and looked great. Teens loved them. Do school colors, soft pastels, bold and wild, your choices are endless.

Answer 4

good question Leechwife

home-made backdrops are a great idea.
check paint stores for dropcloth sales.
or check with painting companies for used dropcloth cast-offs.

Answer 5

I often use painters dropcloths or raw muslin (can be purchased in rolls, 10' wide) and splatterpaint or lightly tie-dye them. dropcloths have seams, so careful placement is required in framing, but if you are shooting portraiture with shallow depth of field, the lines fall out if your lighting is even on the backing, or if you've textured the dropcloth. hope this helps!

Answer 6

you looks like advertising.