Backgrounds (backdrops) for photography come in many styles and sizes. Seamless background paper and fabric backdrops are predominant. But you need to know what to get. What size background should you buy? How long should your background be? How wide of a background do you need for your photoshoots? I’ll try to offer some tips on selecting backgrounds.
I’ve purchased most of my backgrounds from Savage Universal. They make Savage Widetone Seamless Background Paper in a variety of colors, widths and lengths. And you can find them at most photography stores or order directly from the manufacturer. My favorite colors are Thunder Gray (53″ x 12yd) and Black (107″ x 36′).
I’ve also purchased fabric backdrops in several colors and styles, preferring the type that are not too thin. And even then, I’ve had to double up on those to help prevent light from leaking through, as can be the case when the backdrop is positioned in front of a window during the daylight hours.
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Hi, I’m Ed Verosky. This channel is about my on-going adventures in photography, art, and life. Check out some videos, have fun, and definitely connect with me in the comments.
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*Affiliate Partnerships. Many of the links I provide to 3rd-party products or services are affiliate links. It doesn’t cost you anything extra to use these links, but if you do, the seller will pay me a small referral fee.
great video thank you!@!!!
Alright this was pretty good & to the point!
What stand should I get to hold these paper backdrops?
how wide and high is this backdrop
support?
The 7 people that gave this video a Thumbs Down…. what’s up with y’all?? 🙄🙄. Bitter or something
Can you post a link to your stand if you bought it online?
Hello there Ed I had a question about the savage backdrops which color of gray would turn to white, and black? there’s fashion gray and also thunder Grey and I think sky grey… thank you
Thank you for the video it helps me a lot.
I love your review on this! What type of backdrop stand do you use!? Seems sturdy 👍
What are the Seamless backdrops made of? The one I have been using is bit shiny and reflects light maybe half plastic material
Your a blessing bro thank you
thank u for leaving the measurements on the description box. This really helped me
@3:36 "Don't get the really cheap fabrics"
So what are the really cheap fabrics? I want to purchase a collapsible background and cannot gauge material quality via online pics created by sellers. I'm looking at muslin though I hear some of them aren't opaque, and I am also considering the (much pricier) Savage collapsible/reversible background if the quality/durability is truly that much better.
Suggestion on how to narrow down my search?
great video, I am currently looking to make my apartment studio into a mini photography studio and have been looking for backdrop options. Definitely going to start off with a grey one. What is the backdrop stand you are using? I am looking on amazon for one but they all seem to be pretty flimsy.
Cool video. Thanks. I've always wondered how the smaller roll length became 53 inches. It's not practical, but I've sawed off a couple 107 inchers to make them about 78-80 inches for a more comfortable working space.
I use a mid grey muslin backdrop as my standard, it’s a very large one and use to spend hours ironing it only for it to get creased as soon as I folded it (needed folding in half before rolling). I ended up buying a cheap steamer off Amazon, and it now takes about 15minutes and it’s perfect. But I also have some curtain type backdrops and like yourself I go for the pleats with them. I really don’t like fake bricks etc, not my style at all, if I shot children I might feel different.
What crossbar are you using? Looks pretty substantial.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge and techniques.
When I do headshots for LinkedIn or portraits, I set up a second speedlite with a Steele Blue gel behind the subject that sprays the light directly onto a fabric (dark blue & dark gray random pattern) backdrop. The backdrop is about 6 ft behind the subject so I get enough blur from the DOF to take the wrinkles out. If need be, I clone them out in Photoshop. When processing in Lightroom, I apply a vignette to finish off the image. The gel color seems to work for almost everyone. I found Yongnuo remote triggers to be very reliable.
My preference with the fabric is to have it taught. I have a bunch of the clamps you used in this video and I clamp the fabric to the stands in three places.
Thanks a lot, Ed. Very helpful. Thunder-gray seamless paper looks great in all your portraits. Using a pleated fabric backdrop is a wonderful tip. Thanks again.