Background advice

[Northstar100]

I am setting up a photo booth to use at weddings. I want a bright red background, I want it to be gathered up and to look like a drawn curtain. I have seen red cloth backgrounds but am wondering if a real curtain would be any good and if there's any pitfalls to using one. Any advice please?

 

[elliotedwards]

I personally wouldn't see any problems with using one.

Im guessing you want some rich velvety old fashioned type of curtain as opposed to a new one?

Why not pop to your local charity shop and see if they have anything.

I think you may have a problem dependent on the composition of the fabric that makes the curtain. It could leave unwanted shine or glare when using strobes if it is mostly comprised of polyester or poly thingy type of materials. Not 100% sure, but im guessing it may. Please feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Northstar100]

Cheers Elliot, that's what I'm worried about, I have heard velvet can cause problems with lighting.

 

[Garry Edwards]

Don't get genuine velvet for this, is absorbs light wonderfully, which isn't what you want for this...

But a faux velvet, which is normally useless as a background material, is probably ideal for you.

 

[Northstar100]

Thanks Garry, looks like i'll be out shopping this weekend.