Best Material for Making a Backdrop: I’m considering making a backdrop using ABS tubing and some sort of flat black or green material to stretch over the frame. I tried using the...

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I’m considering making a backdrop using ABS tubing and some sort of flat black or green material to stretch over the frame. I tried using the search feature, but got all kinds of weird possiblilties, but nothing related to making a back drop. I’ve considered flat black light gauge felt, but will that be too shiny. I’d appreciate some suggestions. My plan is to make the material slightly wider and longer than the frame and using velcro tabs to hold it in place. Thanks in advance.

My intent is to use it for photographing flowers and such, to eliminate the side of the house in the picture, for instance.

Pablo8 Loc: Nottingham UK.

I have some black material, almost a fleece - like, quite matt surface. Not sure where I bought (obtained it from), but here in the UK. Worth a Google search.

picsman Loc: Scotland

I do do use black velvet and dont find it shiny, perhaps because of how I light it.

Lens Cap Loc: The Cold North Coast

Wingpilot, I use felt. It comes in a variety of colors, it can be purchased in almost any size, it's soft surface absorbs light and it's not expensive.

Wingpilot wrote:

I’m considering making a backdrop using ABS tubing... (show quote)

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Wingpilot wrote:

I’m considering making a backdrop using ABS tubing... (show quote)

I have always used Savage products, both holders and materials. They make a wide range of products.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=savage%20background%20paper&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma

1CanonGuy Loc: Texas

Wingpilot wrote:

I’m considering making a backdrop using ABS tubing... (show quote)

Or you could use an OLD white sheet and get ahold of a rectangle sponge and dab flat paint on it of any color you want, I made one years ago with a mix of dark colors.

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

You can get bed sheets in any color you want, as well as sizes

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Thanks for the good ideas. I think, for a DIY project, my choices will be either felt or take a can of flat black spray paint to a white sheet. I love taking photos of flowers, but I get tired of the wall of the house becoming the background. Looks like I’ve got a nice Covid19 project. Now to the drawing board.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

billnikon wrote:

I have always used Savage products, both holders and materials. They make a wide range of products.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=savage%20background%20paper&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ma

That’s not a bad idea, either. With a roll of background paper, you always have a fresh background. More to think about.

Strodav Loc: Houston, Tx

Wingpilot wrote:

Thanks for the good ideas. I think, for a DIY project, my choices will be either felt or take a can of flat black spray paint to a white sheet. I love taking photos of flowers, but I get tired of the wall of the house becoming the background. Looks like I’ve got a nice Covid19 project. Now to the drawing board.

If your doing smaller objects like flowers, go over to the local hobby shop or office store and get some foam board. They usually come in white, which you can paint, or black and are dirt cheap. I use them as backgrounds, wind blocks and even as a reflector.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Strodav wrote:

If your doing smaller objects like flowers, go over to the local hobby shop or office store and get some foam board. They usually come in white, which you can paint, or black and are dirt cheap. I use them as backgrounds, wind blocks and even as a reflector.

Hadn’t thought of that. Good idea. Thanks.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Wingpilot wrote:

Thanks for the good ideas. I think, for a DIY project, my choices will be either felt or take a can of flat black spray paint to a white sheet. I love taking photos of flowers, but I get tired of the wall of the house becoming the background. Looks like I’ve got a nice Covid19 project. Now to the drawing board.

For close ups, I would just use black poster sheet, a light stand, and a clamp.
Poster sheets come about 20 inches by 30 inches and vary in thickness.

Thomas902 Loc: Washington DC

Greg you are totally wasting you time with DIY which may likely become DYI (do-yourself-in)....
At the end of the day you'll be far deeper into this DIY project than it justifies...

I assist commercial shooters in my market... and yes some actually shoot botanical...
They all without fail go with viable commercial solutions since failure isn't on option.

Rather than point you to a robust high end solution here is a item that even I use...
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/541120-REG/Impact_BGC_B_57_Collapsible_Background_5.html

While you can go smaller albeit you'll be penny wise and pound foolish... eventually you'll want 5x7 since you'll be able to do full length portraiture with this... I would also suggest considering white in a translucent which can be used as a photographic scrim and diffuser...

Use the right tool for the job Greg... experience is a brutal teacher...

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

Thomas902 wrote:

Greg you are totally wasting you time with DIY whi... (show quote)

Yup. That is another route to consider, too. Thanks.

bbrowner Loc: Chapel Hill, NC

Many years ago I photographed a lot of costume jewelry... 35mm slides. Vey difficult. To get to the point... use a material (whatever it may be) that will not show lint, etc. Or a material that can easily be cleaned of that same stuff.

Of course today with PP, you can erase those kind of spots. Back then... if you didn't see it before making the shot... you were stuck with it.

Barry