Help with studio backdrop please

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sweekes

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sean
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Hi guys,

I am brand new to this site, my name is Sean. Looks like a fantastic site with a lot of talented people on it.

I am however looking for a little guidance. I have recently taken delivery of a photo studio, however the backdrop is heavily creased. I have tried to iron the backdrop but the iron sticks to it :(
What is the best way to get the creases out without damaging the backdrop?

Secondly, how could I Photoshop out creases? Or do I need to post that in a different section?

Thanks

Sean.
 
sweekes said:
the backdrop is heavily creased. I have tried to iron the backdrop but the iron sticks to it.
Click to expand...

First of all, do you know what material the backdrop is made from ?
 
Erm I think its muslin
That's what the site said anyway.
 
thats the problem with muslin backgrounds, i recomend them only on dark or black backgrounds where it can be under-lit so the creases don't show. Really for wrinkle free backgrounds paper or vinyl is best.
Unfortunaltely the best you can do if youve already got the muslim is to hang it up and after a day or two the creases may soften out
 
Spraying the muslin with water once it is hanging and then leaving to dry can often reduce or remove the creases.

I got pretty annoyed with my muslin backdrop and now use paper or vinyl.
 
Thank you for your help guys. Studio is brand new to me. I might however look into paper or vinyl if I can't get it right.
I'm popping over to an ironing shop tomorrow to see if they could steam it for me.

Thanks
 
I have had the same issue, my solution is to forget the cloth and go to somewhere that sells art products, I am going to Fred Aldous in Manchester and buying a roll of white paper, problem sorted.
 
I've struggle for ages with the muslin / cotton ones and got fed up with ironing all the creases out.

In the end I bought from bessell a black/white reversible vinyl on an aluminium core roll. You may need to check though that your existing stand can cope with the load, up to 10 kg's I suggest. bessell do loads of different sizes and I think will send a sample if you request one
 
I didnt have any luck in Fred Aldous, so, waiting till i can afford it and getting the proper stuff from Calumet.
 
sweekes said:
Thank you for your help guys. Studio is brand new to me. I might however look into paper or vinyl if I can't get it right.
I'm popping over to an ironing shop tomorrow to see if they could steam it for me.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Unless you store the background hanging when not in use, ie. if it's folded on a shelf or stored in a bag it will quickly re-crease and require to be ironed/steamed again before each use.

Much better buying your own hand held steamer.
 
visagephoto said:
Unless you store the background hanging when not in use, ie. if it's folded on a shelf or stored in a bag it will quickly re-crease and require to be ironed/steamed again before each use.

Much better buying your own hand held steamer.
Click to expand...

Or embrace the creases :D - I store mine cotton backdrops in stuff sacks so they are very heavily, but randomly creased, look great out-of-focus IMO...if you can get the required level of separation between it and the subject!

Paul
 
paul williams said:
Or embrace the creases :D - I store mine cotton backdrops in stuff sacks so they are very heavily, but randomly creased, look great out-of-focus IMO...if you can get the required level of separation between it and the subject!

Paul
Click to expand...

True! most manufacturers actually recommend this storage method.

However I very rarely have the luxury of distance between the subject and the BG, and besides being a tidy freak I tend to neatly fold mine therefore they always require ironing or steaming before each use anyway.
 
sweekes said:
Erm I think its muslin
That's what the site said anyway.
Click to expand...

The term ' muslin' has become generic in photography for any type of curtain background, and doesn't necessarily apply to the fabric which I always understood to be a fairly thin cheesecloth type fabric. In much the same way, colorama has become a generic term for paper rolls.

It sounds like you were sold a synthetic fabric, and the iron you used was too hot- probably set for cotton or something like that.
 
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