Black cloth

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I want some black cloth for backgrounds, I only want a piece about 2' x2' but can't find anything that is black enough that isn't part of a large photographic background. I only want it for table-top pictures but it must be low on reflection as I have found that a simple black sheet isn't as black as you would think. Anyone know of a supplier?
 
ShinySideUp said:
I want some black cloth for backgrounds, I only want a piece about 2' x2' but can't find anything that is black enough that isn't part of a large photographic background. I only want it for table-top pictures but it must be low on reflection as I have found that a simple black sheet isn't as black as you would think. Anyone know of a supplier?
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I`ve used black velvet, and it works well inho. But make sure you have it the right way up (pile wise), and sorry but can never remember which way, but after a test pic it`s obvious ;)
 
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I've always been led to understand that black velvet is the least reflective material you can use, so I endorse Paul's comment above.

You might be able to get an off-cut from a habidashers when the shops are open again.
 
I always thought velvet had a sheen to it, I suppose as has been said, it depends which way up it is. Might go the poster roll route as it's about £7.50 for a 10metre roll on ebay whereas 54" by 1 metre (talk about mixed measurements!) of velvet is over eight quid -- of course it will last a lot longer.

Edit: OK, I've gone for both from Fleabay at under £16 the pair.

Thanks for the input.
 
If you are looking for a cloth that should be 'flat matt' I think black baize might fit the bill?

Found this source but no doubt others exist...
www.simonlucasbridgesupplies.co.uk

Black Baize - Best Quality | Simon Lucas Bridge Supplies

Buy top quality genuine British black baize from the experts in gaming fabrics. 95% British wool, 190cm wide, 570gsm. Long lasting and hard-wearing.
www.simonlucasbridgesupplies.co.uk www.simonlucasbridgesupplies.co.uk
 
Black cotton velvet. I once bought some black velvet made from some other fibre but that had a remarkable sheen which was very obtrusive.
 
ShinySideUp said:
I always thought velvet had a sheen to it, I suppose as has been said, it depends which way up it is. Might go the poster roll route as it's about £7.50 for a 10metre roll on ebay whereas 54" by 1 metre (talk about mixed measurements!) of velvet is over eight quid -- of course it will last a lot longer.

Edit: OK, I've gone for both from Fleabay at under £16 the pair.

Thanks for the input.
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Like my old physics instructor at college used to say "we are going metric inch by inch" :)
 
john.margetts said:
Black cotton velvet. I once bought some black velvet made from some other fibre but that had a remarkable sheen which was very obtrusive.
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That will probably be "Velveteen", which is pretty useless for this purpose.
Genuine black velvet only reflects about 5% of the light that falls on it, so it almost as good as flock, which reflects about 4% - but the difference isn't critical.

What IS critical is that you have as much distance as possible between subject and distance, so that the Inverse Square Law prevents as much light as possible from reaching the background in the first place. What this means in effect is that if your lighting is extremely close to your subject, the fall-off of light reaching the background will be minimal. Often though, it's better to light from the side or behind, in which case NO light will reach the background and so even a white background will photograph as black.

This is really a lighting question.
 
I have a black cloth that's actually a plain black fleece blanket I found in Primark by chance.
I think it was about £5 and is about 2m x 2m, perhaps slightly smaller. Either way it does a good job of being non-reflective.
 
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