Backdrop Help

[Calypso b]

I just got a backdrop kit. This is my first attempt at using backdrops. I can't seem to get it smooth. When I look a other studio pictures the background is flawless. I steam it and spend hours trying to get it smooth. If it didn't show up in pics I wouldn't care so much but it does. What is up??

 

[gsgary]

I just got a backdrop kit. This is my first attempt at using backdrops. I can't seem to get it smooth. When I look a other studio pictures the background is flawless. I steam it and spend hours trying to get it smooth. If it didn't show up in pics I wouldn't care so much but it does. What is up??

You must mean a white backdrop, if so it needs to be at least 1 stop exposure above your subject and best lit with 2 lights

 

[Calypso b]

That's great advice for my white backdrop (which I haven't tried yet) But this one is black.

 

[JenLavazza]

Seamless Paper rolls! Wrinkle free

I still use a lot of cloth backdrops too though. I do two things to help with wrinkles.... do not place your subject close to the background so it'll be more oof and I smooth it in Photoshop during pp (this can be time consuming when you are first starting out and learning an editing program, but now it only takes a minute or so).

For Black - DON'T light it directly and move your subject atleast 4 feet away from it.

 

[gsgary]

That's great advice for my white backdrop (which I haven't tried yet) But this one is black.

Flag your lights you don't want any light falling on it

Softbox at front to dogs right at 45 and 1 behind opposite and a reflector dogs left