Where do you guys shop for backdrops?

Nikolai

I mean online of course.
Thus far I was using adorama and amwona, but I'm always looking for the greener pastures..:wink

Also: what's your hands-on experience with the different types of backdrop material (muslin vs. paper vs. whatever else)? Any pros and cons?

Thanks!:thumb

Michiel de Brieder

You know what I'd do? Just visit a small market and look for some nice cloth It's on my 'to-do' list, but I don't do that much studio shooting...

Cheers mate

Nikolai

Local fabrics market

Michiel de Brieder wrote:

You know what I'd do? Just visit a small market and look for some nice cloth It's on my 'to-do' list, but I don't do that much studio shooting...

Cheers mate

I heard of that approach, but how you think to handle seams? They would be visible on the picture

rjpat

Ebay is a great place to shop, I have picked up some real deals there ($30 for a 10X20 black).

Nikolai

Nice!

rjpat wrote:

Ebay is a great place to shop, I have picked up some real deals there ($30 for a 10X20 black).

Do you remember the seller?
Thanks!

ian408

I think the main difference between materials is durability. The muslins seem
to be more durable (and more expensive to purchase) while the some of the
less expensive ones seem to be more like bed sheets and probably not up
to heavy use.

I just used a nice heavy muslin bd on Saturday. Steady train of people and
it held up fine.

Since I don't do this kind of thing but once in a while, I rented. Plus, renting
allows you to choose a color/style that is complimentary to your subject or
situation.

rjpat

It was an individual, so a one time thing. If you keep an eye on it, you can find some nice bargains.

Nikolai

Renting backdrop?

ian408 wrote:

Since I don't do this kind of thing but once in a while, I rented. Plus, renting
allows you to choose a color/style that is complimentary to your subject or
situation.

I didn't even think of that... What kind of place would rent a backdrop?
Thanks!

Angelo

I've done business with

http://www.superspec.com/

for years. dependable and affordable.


if you want to go the yardage route remember that upholstery fabrics are typically 54" wide and felt can be had up to 72" wide so you never need to worry about seams. felt is VERY economical and has the added benefit of having a "flat hand" so you need not worry about reflection.

http://www.joann.com/

another possibility, if you can accept some seams as part of your backdrop (or learn creative draping techniques) is to buy muslin dropcloths at the paint department of Home Depot. A 12' x 10" cloth will cost you a whopping $9.99

and Nikko, another possibility for you (considering you're so close to LA) drive into the city and walk the streets of the garment district, between 6th St and Olympic Blvd, from Los Angeles Street south for 2 or 3 blocks. You'll find a treasure trove of cheap fabric by the bolt.

ian408

Nikolai wrote:

I didn't even think of that... What kind of place would rent a backdrop?
Thanks!

Camera stores. For me, I hit Keeble & Shuchat but Calumet ought to have a
rental department. $20-30 bucks for the weekend (w/stands).

Nikolai

Thanks, Ian!

ian408 wrote:

Camera stores. For me, I hit Keeble & Shuchat but Calumet ought to have a
rental department. $20-30 bucks for the weekend (w/stands).

I'll check that. I have a nice 12.5'x10' support rack from amvona, so I only need the fabric..
Appreciate the advice!

Nikolai

Angelo,

Angelo wrote:

I've done business with

http://www.superspec.com/

for years. dependable and affordable.


if you want to go the yardage route remember that upholstery fabrics are typically 54" wide and felt can be had up to 72" wide so you never need to worry about seams. felt is VERY economical and has the added benefit of having a "flat hand" so you need not worry about reflection.

http://www.joann.com/

another possibility, if you can accept some seams as part of your backdrop (or learn creative draping techniques) is to buy muslin dropcloths at the paint department of Home Depot. A 12' x 10" cloth will cost you a whopping $9.99

and Nikko, another possibility for you (considering you're so close to LA) drive into the city and walk the streets of the garment district, between 6th St and Olympic Blvd, from Los Angeles Street south for 2 or 3 blocks. You'll find a treasure trove of cheap fabric by the bolt.

Thanks a million, man, very nice info!
Too bad those supersec guys do not have online store - I'm not much of a brick-and-mortar shopper. But there is a dealer nearby (20 miles from me), so I can probably survive:-)
And I'll definitely check out home depot (may be they have the same deals in OSH, Lowe's or Do-It center, too?)
Cheers!

Angelo

Nikolai wrote:

Thanks a million, man, very nice info!
Too bad those supersec guys do not have online store - I'm not much of a brick-and-mortar shopper. But there is a dealer nearby (20 miles from me), so I can probably survive:-)
And I'll definitely check out home depot (may be they have the same deals in OSH, Lowe's or Do-It center, too?)
Cheers!

Nikko there are links to online vendors at superspec but I recommend dealing with Superior-Studio Specialties. It's actually the original business that then expanded and went nationwide. They are in SoCal and cater mostly to the display / fashion industry. I think you'll find their pricing a bit better than the photog suppliers.

I'm sure you can find the drop cloths anywhere. I just happen to be certain of the availability at Home Depot because I've purchased some recently. Most stores stopped carrying muslin in favor of plastic.

Shay Stephens

Muslin is long lasting and can be painted with scenes or patterns but is more expensive than paper. Paper can be had in a rainbow of solid colors, but doesn't last very long. If you have a one-off project that needs a certain solid color, then paper is likely to be the cost effective route.

For some backgrounds, white especially, I was tending to go through a lot of white paper. I couldn't find a white fabric I liked, and wound up getting a roll of white vinyl. It is easy to clean and reuse and you can get it in really wide lengths too. I have a small length (54") that I got from the fabric store.

The problem with getting a roll of something at the fabric store is the limited width. If you need a 9 foot wide roll of something, you usually have to order that online from the likes of B&H or other background vendors.

Nikolai wrote:

I mean online of course.
Thus far I was using adorama and amwona, but I'm always looking for the greener pastures..

Also: what's your hands-on experience with the different types of backdrop material (muslin vs. paper vs. whatever else)? Any pros and cons?

Thanks!

Nikolai

Angelo,

Angelo wrote:

Nikko there are links to online vendors at superspec but I recommend dealing with Superior-Studio Specialties. It's actually the original business that then expanded and went nationwide. They are in SoCal and cater mostly to the display / fashion industry. I think you'll find their pricing a bit better than the photog suppliers.

I'm sure you can find the drop cloths anywhere. I just happen to be certain of the availability at Home Depot because I've purchased some recently. Most stores stopped carrying muslin in favor of plastic.

Thanks again, you're a great source!

Nikolai

Shay,

Shay Stephens wrote:

Muslin is long lasting and can be painted with scenes or patterns but is more expensive than paper. Paper can be had in a rainbow of solid colors, but doesn't last very long. If you have a one-off project that needs a certain solid color, then paper is likely to be the cost effective route.

For some backgrounds, white especially, I was tending to go through a lot of white paper. I couldn't find a white fabric I liked, and wound up getting a roll of white vinyl. It is easy to clean and reuse and you can get it in really wide lengths too. I have a small length (54") that I got from the fabric store.

The problem with getting a roll of something at the fabric store is the limited width. If you need a 9 foot wide roll of something, you usually have to order that online from the likes of B&H or other background vendors.

Thank you very much for sharing. I think I understand the idea with the cheap paper for specific project. And the white vinyl seems to be a good thing, too.

I guess I need explore the options more and start shopping around:-)

Cheers!

Art Scott

back grounds
I prefer muslin due to durability..if it gets dirty take it to a car wash and hose it off....

I look for muslin in theater supply houses...in Wichita ks is Theatrical Supply Inc (TSI)... I can purchase muslin by the yard from them usully 9' wide....sometimes one of the theaters in town will buy a wider width for an upcoming showing and not take all they ordered and you can by that left over stock at 5 or 10% above cost...then you can paint it as you wish....also in the advert areas of shutterbug there are a bunch of backdrop retailers listed with websites...of course I am getting ready to buy a green and blue screen and a library of digital backgrounds...I like what I have found at -Owens originals...here is link...... http://www.owens-originals.com/cdrom/digital-backdrops-on-cd-rom%20.html

good luck

grafxxpluz

Hello to all. I have been making my own with muslin from Walmart. I get a 15' by 120" for $20 and two bottle of Rite dye for $5. They have been turning out wonder here is a sample of a blue one http://grafxxpluz.smugmug.com/photos/47173151-L.jpg . I have made a pink, blue, gray, brown, and maroon. I also took one and got some acrylic paint and had my two year old put his hand prints all over it. Great backdrop for kid shots. The process to make one is about 30 min to dye. Then I let mine air dry for a few hours (for best results), but not any more got 4" of snow yesterday. I will be doing mine at the wash house for now. I hope this help anyone who reads. If you want to see more pics of my drop just let me know.

zoeybug

Love the backdrop pic...
Can I see some of your other backdrop creations....I am thinking of trying this myself....any tips....

dancinkate

I buy my backdrops from silverlake
and they also sell on Ebay under "photo4u2" seller name. They can get a little pricey but their mismatch sale is wonderful and I've been thrilled with their product. I have some of their 10x20's in my studio.