I am very new to the scene of studio shooting. I’m still acquiring everything I need to run a studio. I haven’t invested in any backdrops yet but I have done some experimenting with backdrop alternatives and thought I would share my finds.
Experiment 1:
Wrapping paper. I didn’t pull it tight enough causing ripples but the bigger issue is that it is very reflective. It could work if you use side lighting or put your subject a couple feet in front of the backdrop and made sure no light hit it. I have read people finding matte finish wrapping paper and I imagine that would work but I haven’t found any myself to try out. Overall: not convinced it’s worth the hassle however I always encourage people to try things out for themselves because maybe they’ll do it differently than I did and get more success with it.
Vinyl Tablecloth (below image). A little bit shiney but overall it did the job :). I bought this for like $3. Vinyl is a popular material for backdrops because it is washable and not too shiny so I thought it might work and for me, it did. If you try this out, always hold it in the light and see if it is shiny or not before buying.. if it’s shiny it won’t work unless there is no light hitting it while taking photos.
Vinyl Tablecloth^.
Cloth Showercurtain (below)- by far my favorite! A bit small though but very similar to “real” backdrops. I had to “splurge” on the $15 brand to get one that was not shiny and reflective.
So those are my findings on makeshift backdrops. I’ve also used blankets and those can work well too – just make sure there are no wrinkles in it ;).
-Christine Ann
Christine Ann Photography
Duluth Photographer [website]
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