Hi Guys, ultra newbie here, old man as well. I am going to be photographing items of furniture and putting them online. I need to purchase a backdrop as I havent got any decent natural backdrops in my workshop. Could you tell me if it would be best to use a white backdrop, or would I get better results from using say a grey or dark grey backdrop. Also is vynil a better option than paper or cotton. Presumably the vinyl is washable. Looking forward to your replies.
Phtographing furniture backdrop
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StewartR
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Hi restorian and welcome to TP.
What colour is the furniture you want to photograph? If it's white then some sort of grey background would work well; but otherwise you're probably safer with white. (Just remember to expose correctly for the furniture, not the background!) Non reflective would also be good.
What colour is the furniture you want to photograph? If it's white then some sort of grey background would work well; but otherwise you're probably safer with white. (Just remember to expose correctly for the furniture, not the background!) Non reflective would also be good.
droj
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Yes white is a safe all-occasions choice. I'd choose a soft white, not ultra-bright. If you're going to run it out seamlessly across the floor it's soon going to get mucky if not creased as well from the walking across & furniture handling. Don't think cotton ... how would you clean it? Cheapest option - practical but shortish life - paper?
Alternative (but less seamless) - mdf panels rollered with emulsion? Stored flat as a stack.
Alternative (but less seamless) - mdf panels rollered with emulsion? Stored flat as a stack.
jo30
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Hi,
New here too...
I have just bought a vinyl background that is black one side and white the other. Had the dilemma of paper, cotton or vinyl too. Opted for latter as it can be wiped clean and seemed to be the most hard wearing (and can be used either side). Very happy with it but not had a chance to use it properly yet as waiting on the post for other equipment!
The place I brought it from had it set up to take photographs of other products they sell for their website.
Don't know if that helps your decision...
New here too...
I have just bought a vinyl background that is black one side and white the other. Had the dilemma of paper, cotton or vinyl too. Opted for latter as it can be wiped clean and seemed to be the most hard wearing (and can be used either side). Very happy with it but not had a chance to use it properly yet as waiting on the post for other equipment!
The place I brought it from had it set up to take photographs of other products they sell for their website.
Don't know if that helps your decision...
Garry Edwards
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A white background is the worst possible choice, furniture is an extremely difficult subject to light well, and good quality furniture photography is carried out by the top pros, who have a host of lighting equipment and the skills to use it. The unwanted light reflected from any kind of white background destroys the lighting used on the subject.
What we do is to photograph against a neutral background and then cut out the subject in pp
What we do is to photograph against a neutral background and then cut out the subject in pp