Budget Studio Questions

[-chuck-]

I'm piecing together a budget studio of sorts. It's going to be for non-commercial use, primarily just for family.

I'm currently seeking suitable and inexpensive backgrounds to use. I'm going to start with the basics....black and white. For white, I've found some cotton muslin fabric at the craft store that I'm going to use. However, I'm having trouble finding a good black fabric. What I'm leaning toward at this point is a black felt that I've found. Does anyone have any experience with this, and/or could tell me if it would work well?

Any other suggestions for inexpensive backgrounds?

Thanks!

[Benji]

Black is really boring and dark hair blends in with it quite easily. Why not try a medium to dark gray, while it doesn't sound much more interesting than black it actually is! Better yet, a used window shade painted background. Have you tried ebay?


Benji

[TimAndrea]

i use crushed velvet when there is a need for black. although boring it does sometimes serves a purpose. the crushed velvet can be crammed in a bag and used whenever. you can pin more than one together to get a wider bg. i like it.

[k9ofkaos]

If I need black and the weather isn't too bad, I use the black of night, outside on the back patio.

If you get a medium gray, you can always change the color by using gels on your lights.

[harryd]

Chuck if you have pets "DO NOT BUY BLACK FELT" like I did. I bought some to use and it works but you can not get hair off it. I have been using seamless paper and it works good but now I am looking at muslin for something different.

[Unkl Buck]

Originally Posted by k9ofkaos

If you get a medium gray, you can always change the color by using gels on your lights.

I second this idea.

[Jazzi Photo]

One way to get a variety of colors on the cheap is to get the largest white or off white muslin you can, then go on ebay and look for "sheers" or "fantasy cloth." While the sheers are way too thin to use alone, with a white backing, they look great in the photo.

[mjklunk]

I second the DO NOT BUY FELT! Everything and I mean everything clings to it. Crushed velvet is best in the cloths. I really like the seamless papers. Like Benji said, a nice charcoal gray is nice but I don't think black is boring at all. Yo can get the charcoal gray to go black though. I like the blackest papers to gel because of the rich colors you get .

[-chuck-]

Thanks for all of the advice everyone. I will indeed stay away from the felt because I have two cats who shed enough to weave at least 3 king size blankets a year from their fur. Well ok, maybe not THAT much, but you get the idea.

Lot's of good ideas here....thanks again....