Making your own backdrop

[becky323]

Just wanted to get everyone's opinion on the best way to build my own backdrop. I have read about using PVC pipes to build the stand. Anyone do this? Also, I am debating if I should be using muslin or paper for my backdrop. Any opinions? I want the background as clean and sharp as possible so I am leaning toward paper. I am essentially looking for the best material to use to create a stark white or black background. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!!
:flower:

 

[Hertz van Rental]

The best thing to do is buy a roll of proper background paper like Colorama.
Polar White is best for a plain background.
As it's on a roll you can hang it from the ceiling using string and hooks.
Alternatively buy two cheap lighting stands and use those.

 

[Garbz]

I've seen awesome results with getting a white sheet rolling it up into a ball and tieing it off with some rope and dunking the thing in some cloths dye. The rolling into a ball will cause the die to make nice patterns on the backdrop. There's a lot of this on the http://www.diyphotography.net/ blog.

 

[becky323]

Thank you so much for the help!!!!

 

[ChrisP]

For a black backdrop, get some black velour or velvet from a fabric store (like JoAnn Fabrics). An alternative I used this weekend when photographing some day lilies was to use my wife's black velour dress as a backdrop.

 

[WDodd]

This weekend I was planning on using just a plain white sheet, making sure there are no folds or creases of course, and hanging it from the ceiling. Any thoughts on this method?

 

[DoubleD]

Works for me.

Now to figure out some lighting just as simple.