Backdrops play a critical role in studio photography. Because they can set the photo environment and influence various other factors of the shoot, you need to exercise great care when selecting a backdrop. You can choose from quite a few different kinds of backdrops for your studio photography. According to MasterClass, photography backgrounds allow photographers to evolve their unique creative style. The fabric and the style can make a lot of difference to the final output. A few valuable pointers regarding the backdrop fabric and style:
Different Backdrop Fabrics and Their Characteristics
Canvas: Undoubtedly, the most common fabric used for backdrops is canvas. It is thick and heavy, which makes it durable and versatile. However, if you intend to carry your canvas backdrop to a location outside of your studio, you should know that it tends to develop wrinkles. These you must remove by ironing or hanging before commencing your shoot.
Muslin: Due to its light weight and ease of transportation, muslin backdrops are loved by photographers who shoot more on location than in the studio. These backdrops are easy to assemble and set up and you can even drape them on different kinds of surfaces and walls to get the look you want. However, good-quality muslin photography backdrops are considerably more expensive than canvas.
Velour: As it can handle lighting very well, velour is also quite popular with professional photographers. However, it is best used indoors as the texture attracts and retains dust and dirt that you must remove before using.
Polyester: A lightweight fabric, photographers like polyester because it is durable and wrinkle-resistant. It is, therefore, ideal for on-location photo shoots. It is also reasonably priced.
Different Backdrop Styles
Collapsible disc: Since they fold flat and are lightweight, photographers prefer collapsible disc backdrops when they need to shoot on location. Available in a variety of colors and themes, these backdrops are perfect for creating an artistic environment. While their low price is a big plus, their small size is not great for lifestyle or multi-person shots.
Seamless paper: Considered ideal for still life or product photography, you can get seamless paper backdrops in a wide variety of colors and sizes. Because of its relatively low cost, it is preferred by influencers and amateur photographers for social media posts. If it becomes dirty or breaks as it is prone to, you can change it as frequently as you like as it costs very little. It is best used indoors as the material is fragile and does not transport well.
Chroma-key backdrop: Available in green or blue, these screens are ideal for photographers wanting flexibility in the post-production stage so that they can change the background at will. Shooting against these backdrops and editing the footage requires considerable expertise to achieve a realistic look.
Conclusion
The kind of backdrop, you will want to use will depend significantly on your requirements and your budget. Needless to say, all backdrops come at various price points, and by being innovative, you can get the results you want without sacrificing quality.