Author Archives: StudioBackdrops

Tutorial

How to choose the right photography backdrop?

Posted on by StudioBackdrops

Regardless of whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned photographer, a photography backdrop is something that you need. There is such a wide variety available that you might question which one suits you best. 

The main purpose of a backdrop is to give you a dynamic background that allows for constant high-quality output. It works in tandem with the lighting to provide the optimum results, whatever your setting may be. A photoshoot can entirely depend on the quality of material used in the making of a backdrop. 

Paper is good for the seamless look

When it comes to shooting in a studio setup, paper backdrops are a no-brainer as they are very easy to use, and can be set up very quickly if you have an established setup. They are usually thick, ranging anywhere between 125 GSM to 145 GSM, making them resistant to wear and tear. 

Paper blends seamlessly without overshadowing the product. They come in various sizes so that selection can be made according to the needs of the photographer. The paper backdrops are to be used with a stand or a backdrop system that is mounted on the wall or ceiling. 

You can also use a backdrop without a stand by simply cutting out the portion you need for your set. The best thing about paper backdrops is that when they get dirty, you can simply cut off that part and unroll a fresh side.

However, due to their heavy nature, paper backdrops are not ideal for on-location shooting. It requires higher maintenance as it needs to be put away carefully after every usage. You also need to be very careful while stepping on the paper or around it as it can get dirty or ruined. If you are shooting by yourself and setting it up alone it will be difficult to handle the paper. 

Since they don’t interfere with the product, they are a popular choice while shooting products. Another reason why paper backdrops are preferred in commercial photography is the smooth appearance it provides, ensuring quick and hassle-free shooting.

Picture Credits : Rohan Sachdeva

Muslin’s portability makes it the popular choice of Photography Backdrops

Muslin backdrops have been used by professional photographers for decades now for multiple reasons. A Muslin backdrop works flawlessly in every indoor and outdoor location. All of our muslin backdrops are made out of 100% high-quality, non-reflective cotton, making them an excellent choice for both video production, regular portrait and commercial photography. 

Muslin backdrops are available in thickness of 165gsm and are suitable for heavy as well as regular use. They are more affordable when compared to other categories of photography backdrops, making them popular with amateur photographers.  

Muslin is a breathable fabric that is extremely forgiving in terms of handling and mobility. Another advantage of muslin backdrops is there are endless options when it comes to designs and colours. You can use these backdrops any way you want – you can spread it down on the floor, hang them using the rod pocket, and walk on them without fear. You can easily remove any wrinkles that appear on the backdrop with an iron or a fabric steamer.

Picture Credits : Manish Malhotra

Canvas is the classic photography backdrop

If you are on the lookout for textures in backdrops, canvas backdrops are the way to go. Since canvas is good at absorbing paints, it is the perfect material for creating different textures. Canvas is a textured fabric on its own and the material we use ranges from 250gsm to 300gsm. 

We offer you the largest range of handpainted canvas backdrops. Every backdrop is meticulously crafted by professional artisans who have decades of industry experience. They are created using industry-standard paints to give you the perfect matte finish that never cracks. 

When you invest in a canvas backdrop, you are investing in a backdrop that will last you for years to come. A canvas backdrop will elevate your images regardless of the setting. It gives you extra texture and depth in your images. We recommend that you store them with care and spot clean with a mild detergent if it happens to get dirty.

Picture Credits : Kalyani Ambike

Polyester is the New and Popular Photography Backdrop

Our range of Polyester backdrops is a fairly new player in the world of backdrops. Cheap polyester backdrops have been present in the market for a very long but they are not of the greatest quality. Any photographer who has used them understands why they are not the first choice for photoshoots. 

Our range of polyester backdrops has been created after months of research. This new polyester fabric that we offer has been tested several times to ensure that it is highly wrinkle resistant. The fabric is also completely stain-proof and can be washed as many times as you need. 

Our wrinkle-resistant range of polyester is extremely breathable and resistant to wear and tear. They come in solid single colours and are suitable for catalogue and portfolio shoots. Since the polyester is washable and extremely lightweight, the backdrop becomes portable to a fault, and a hassle-free choice for outdoor settings. 

The opaque texture and excellent light absorption by the fabric make it perfect for photo and video creation. They can also be used as a perfect green screen setup.

We know that Paper blends in to give you a smooth finish, polyester is highly wrinkle-resistant, and lightweight, and Muslin is available in the largest variety ever. Canvas, with handpainted options, open new doors to creativity. Each material serves a different purpose and we hope this blog has helped you understand their usage better.

 

Review

Let’s Talk Food Photography Backdrops

Posted on by StudioBackdrops

Behind every mouth-watering food photo that you see is a carefully chosen food photography backdrop. They make your food look bold and your presentation more confident. In fact, these backdrops set the very stage where your recipe can narrate its story.

No wonder, from professional food stylists to amateur food bloggers, everyone is shifting to the creative world of food photography backdrops. These backdrops have almost become a necessity for creating a successful food portrait.

Well, when you have the option to breathe in some life to your food, why present it bland!

What are food photography backdrops?

Food photography backdrops are simply the surface or background on which your food sits. They are an artistic addition to your photo that enhance its quality and appeal. These backdrops make your food look more appetizing and your frame more professional.

Food photography backdrops can be used to create stunning food portraits in several ways. It forms the base on which your food is placed. Hence, you can effectively use them to highlight the hero of the frame- your food item.

You can experiment with a wide range of colours, textures, and materials of food photography backdrops. They will keep the creativity ratio of your food photograph always up. These backdrops accessorize your photo and complement any props you want to add along with your food. With these backdrops, you can create your own mini-studio at home. Even in your travels, they can be your anytime-anywhere studio.

In short, professionals have designed these backdrops with utmost care so that you look pro in your food photography.

What are the different types of food photography backdrops?

There are several types of food photography backdrops in the market. They mainly differ on the basis of their material.

Some major varieties of materials used for food photography backdrops are discussed below.

Cloth Backdrops

Cloth backdrops are a very popular option when it comes to any kind of photography. They are very inexpensive and come in a wide variety of colors too. They are also quite easy to store and transport. However, straightening the wrinkles of these backdrops can be a tough task. Also, they can easily get ruined by food or liquid. While you’re shooting food, there is bound to be some spillage or splashing. And these backdrops cannot handle it!

Printed Vinyl

This variant of food photography backdrops are water-proof and come in various colors and sizes. Basically, they use the same technology which is used for printing banners and they are not completely matte.

The downside is that printed vinyl is not suitable for close-up shots. Their reflective quality can hamper the beauty of your setup. It can also end up clashing with your lighting, making the food look unappetizing. Their resolution is also not very rich, resulting in poor quality outcomes.

MDF Boards

These backdrops are cut out from cardboards. So they offer a variety of shapes and usage options. For instance, they can be both free-standing as well as foldable around surfaces. However, the quality of backdrops in terms of color resolution can be poor if the cardboard variety is not good. They are difficult to store and transport as well.

Wooden Board

Wood is one of the most popular materials amongst food photography backdrops. They give a nice texture to the frame and add a natural touch to the image. But their con is that they are very expensive. Also, given their weight and size, they are not very portable as well. And when it comes to spills, wood can easily get stained despite the coating of paint on top of it.

We, at studiobackdrops.com, carefully studied these problems and brought a one-stop solution for food photography backdrops – Canvas. We curated an amazing range of canvas backdrops specially designed for the purpose of food photography.

Image by Yashaswita

What makes our food photography backdrops better?

With an aim to create a food photography backdrop that addresses cost, quality as well as convenience, we created canvas backdrops. These backdrops are better than any other variety available in the market today. We wanted to provide a solution to the problems created by different materials.

We experimented with various materials and paints, to get a final result that trumps any other backdrop in quality and finish.

Ease of Use

Our food photography backdrops are made up of 300gsm canvas, making them easy to use, carry and set up. Once you start using our canvas backdrops, there is no going back to the hectic handling of other varieties.

Painted by hand

Our backdrops are painted by hand which gives them a uniquely human touch. The intricate patterns and textures designed by our artists are unmatched. These beautiful backdrops can help your photography stand out as absolutely premium as you can see in this image.

Image by Richa

Spill-proof

They are completely spill proof and no matter what you put on the backdrop they can be easily cleaned. This is only possible due to the premium coating of the paint. Other canvas backdrops lack this and you cannot have this level of confidence in any other material.

Premium Quality

We use industry standard paints and the best of raw materials to create our backdrops. Each backdrop is handpainted by our artisans, who have decades of experience in the industry. This makes their colour very vibrant and the quality of the food photograph very rich. Check this image out

Highly Durable

Made from carefully chosen canvas material, our backdrops are made to last. The canvas when coated in paint becomes extra durable. In fact, they can be reused over and over and yet they’ll maintain their quality.

This is why our canvas food photography backdrops can be that game-changer in your food photography career. The same goes for the household cooks or professional chefs who want to show their food art to the world.

Image by Sumeet Kaur

Choose a Backdrop that is Better

With hundreds of food photography and videography pages over the internet, carving out your space can be tough. At studiobackdrops.com, we try to ease this difficult journey with our unique and highly artistic canvas backdrops.

Our backdrops help improve your food photography. They add rich colours and textures that help elevate the food. This simply means if you use them, you are instantly setting your work apart from your peers. So give a bright foundation to your food as well as your food photography career with our stunning canvas food backdrops.

Tutorial

Studio Lights – All you need to know

Posted on by StudioBackdrops

It is a well known fact that studio lights are a necessary part of photography. As an amateur photographer, you might start off learning photography by depending on natural light. But as professionals everywhere agree, moving on towards using studio lights for photography is a crucial step for every amateur.

The natural light from the sun and moon is free and you won’t need to spend a penny for it. However, it is not a source of light that can be controlled. The light from the sun in the morning and evening, is best suited for photography. But waiting for the golden hour to click images isn’t the best use of any photographer’s time. The light from the sun can also be too harsh for several camera applications. So, to be dependent on natural light for your photography means you are restricting yourself.

What are studio lights?

Studio lights are essential tools for photographers to illuminate their images and videos. Lighting is a very important tool when it comes to controlling the image. And using studio lights in an effective way is an art in itself. It improves the quality of your photos and can offer some creative assistance that can set your final product apart from others. They are a common sight in studios, and the variety of lights tell every one of them has a specific use for different kinds of photography.

How important are studio lights for photography?

Lighting forms an important component in professional photography. Playing with lights isn’t simply about highlighting the subject or creating darkness, but also about the mood, the vibrancy and the tone of the photography. A professional photographer would know how light would impact the picture based on its placement.

Their knowledge of contrast helps them use the studio lights in an effective manner. Without the proper usage of lights, the photograph can be blurry or grainy. The understanding of one’s camera limitations and thus using the studio lights according to those restrictions can also yield outstanding results.

The different kinds of studio lights

Continuous Lights

Continuous lights are those that stay on constantly, giving you a stable source of light. They give you a preview of how the final image will look, as with these lights you can see what will be captured in the camera. There are two kinds of continuous lights

Hot Lights

Traditionally, hot lights are what have been used to create images and videos. They produce a lot of heat while they are on, and they provide a warm source of light.

Tungsten Lights: The best example of hot lights is Tungsten Lights. They are the most commonly used light source in professional fixtures as they are small, bright, and affordable. They produce a light with the colour temperature of 3200K and it is best to adjust the white balance in your camera while using them. The light emitted from tungsten lights covers the entirety of the visible light spectrum and beyond, which means they produce rich, vibrant and accurate colour. They can burn for hours but they require a lot of power and heavy duty fixtures. They are a great investment if you need something powerful and affordable.

Options available in India : Digitek DPL003, Metro Cine Light Multy

Cool Lights

Fluorescent light: These lights are often used for product photography. They are energy-efficient, and they don’t overheat. They come in multiple hues, like yellow, red and green. These lights consume less electricity and offer a diffused bright light which gives a lower contrast. Using a fluorescent white balance setting is recommended while using fluorescent lights.

Options Available: Sonia Trilite

LED light: LED lights are perfect for adjusting colour temperature. The lights can be modified or adjusted according to your need, as they are dimmable. Through LED lights, colours can be captured with more intensity than they are in real life, thus saving you a lot of time in post-processing your image. Because they are cool in nature, they provide a comfortable atmosphere for the photographers and the subjects.

Options Available: DIGITEK D-200ML, Godox SL60

Strobe Lights

Strobe lights give out a multiple bright burst of light. They have a power output between 100 to 1000 watts. The higher the power, the longer the distance you can use strobe lights from. They are also known as moonlights. Because of their immense power, these lights can be placed farther from the subject. One of their unique qualities is that while shooting outdoors, these lights can overpower sunlight and give you the desired effect without any external interference. They recharge quickly and you can take multiple shots in a shorter span of time. They are often confused and interchangeably used with flash lights that perform the same purpose, but are smaller units that are usually used on-camera. There are three types of strobe lights.

Battery-powered:

Battery-powered strobe lights come in handy in case of a mobile setup. These lights come with a variety of settings that can help you make the best use of light. The battery-powered strobe light systems also include a hotkey that can turn any camera into a wireless.

Shoe Mount:

The shoe mount is a bracket placed on the top of a camera. It has an adjustable head which can be used around to make the light bounce off surfaces. Shoe mounts provide extra light in case of darkness, as the addition of flash gives a boost to light and makes the subject visible enough to be clicked.

Monoblocks:

Monoblocks are usually powered by AC power sources. It has a light head and a power source, both in one compact housing. One of its important functions is to allow the photographers to preview the flash before clicking the picture, and thus adjust the settings beforehand. This becomes possible through the modeling light.

For all types of lights, be it continuous, strobe or flash, a monolight lighting kit is a great tool which provides you with an opportunity to arrange a complex lighting setup. Monolight lighting kits have different accessories in them. Some may contain softboxes, others may have boom arms, some may have snoot, and so on. These lights come with flash heads, which can be of varying numbers. These provide a great deal of compactness and offer various lighting techniques, given they use multiple heads.

Choosing the right studio lights

As professional photographers, it is obvious that you’d like to take your time before choosing the right camera and lenses. Yet, in the quest for that perfect camera which enhances your photography and produces incredible results, often the importance of lights is snubbed. Studio lights are an essential element of professional photography. Their usage sets the theme and tone of the photograph and boosts its quality. This is why it’s important to understand how to choose the right kind of studio lights. There are different lights used for different purposes in studio photography.

Key Light

Key light is the most crucial element for an artificial light source. As the name suggests, it is always going to be the primary source of light despite you setting up a multi-light source. It makes or breaks your images.

Fill Light

Fill light brightens the shadows caused by the key light. It is an extra light to make sure the distribution of light is even and the subject is well lit.

Hair Light

Hair light is supposed to light up only a small portion of the subject. In this, the light beam is narrow, so as to not fall on the large part of your subject. If you want to highlight a larger area, you have to move the light further from the subject.

Background Light

Background lights prevent your background from getting dark due to different lights thrown at the subject. They also help in removing the shadows cast on the background. It is usually dimmer than the key light, but can also be equal to it in power.

Camera Mounted Flash

The advantage of camera mounted flashes is that they are portable and are easier to move around than the light stands. Outdoors, they serve as fill lights, filling up the shadows perfectly if set in low light. The camera mounted flash is mostly used in receptions and other ceremonies, due to their portability.

Depending on the type of photography you like, the lights vary. It is also about whether you want to shoot outdoors or indoors. It comes down to your budget as well. Studio lights can make or break your image. With varying qualities, they offer a wide range of options to help your photography shine and produce a smile on your client’s face. With an insight to the kind of lights there are, you can be a master of photography skills, and grow considerably as a professional photographer.

News

Studiobackdrops.com Launches New Muslin Backdrops On Holi

Posted on by StudioBackdrops

We are celebrating this Holi with a big splash and launching a whole new range of Muslin Backdrops. The festival of colours is always special to us and this time we wanted to make it bigger than ever by adding a whole range of new colours and designs to our extensive catalogue of muslin backdrops.

What’s different than before? A lot! We have gone through your most loved designs, taken inspiration from our bestsellers, and played with all the popular colours to create this range.

Backdrops4ever Marigold shot by Manish Linga

Five New Reversible Muslin Backdrops!

One of our specialty products, Reversible Backdrops have been a favourite of our users ever since we introduced them on our website. Every reversible backdrop has two distinct designs on each side, giving you two backdrops in one. We ensure that each side is dyed separately and each side is opaque, and it gives you the perfect separation between two backdrops.

As reversible backdrops give you more bang for your buck, they are one of our most popular muslin backdrops. And this time, we have incorporated some of your favourite Mottled muslin designs into our new Reversible Backdrops. Walnut Reversible is a combination of Walnut Alcove and Hearth Brown, two of our most loved Crush dyed backdrops. Raven Reversible is a combination of Outer Space Crush dyed and Carbonite Washed muslin backdrops. Other new additions are Gunmetal, Flame Orange, and Black Orchid.

StudioFolks Flame Orange (L), StudioFolks Walnut (R)

Crush Dyed Muslin Backdrops Are Everybody’s Favourite

Crush dyed muslin backdrops are not only the most popular backdrops on our website, they are backdrops most frequently used by photographers and content creators. In this launch, we have adapted some of the most popular colours of paper backdrops and turned them into beautiful crush dyed backdrops. Tan crush dyed is a brand new addition that is a twist on Savage Beige, and Superior Wheat. Charcoal is a warm grey crush dyed muslin backdrop as an addition to our extensive collection of grey backdrops. After all, grey will always be popular with photographers.

More new additions to the backdrops are Red Clay, Khaki, and Oakwood – three variations of brown crush dyed muslin backdrops. They give you more options to play around with. And the most unique addition of all is Cactus – a design that is colourful and playful, a perfect embodiment of the spirit of Holi.

StudioFolks Cactus (L), StudioFolks Tan (R)

An Explosion of Colours in Washed Mottled Backdrops

Washed Mottled backdrops give you the perfect amount of texture with a beautiful rendition of colour. Inspired by Carbonite washed mottled, we have introduced an even darker version of this backdrop as Carbon Black. If you’re looking for a black backdrop and want some texture, this is the backdrop for you.

Also part of the launch are some gorgeous colours never seen before. Sakura is inspired by Savage Coral and Superior Carnation Pink, and it is a beautiful pink shade with a gorgeous texture. Orchid is a play on the Superior Scarlet and is a perfect play on the bright and bold colour.

We also have Dahlia, Limelight, and Seaweed – three beautiful colours that give you endless opportunities to create awesome content with!

ColourBLasters Limelight (L), ColourBlasters Orchid (R)

More Designs in the Solid Mottled and Handpainted Mottled Category

This time, we have done a lot of research about what’s popular, what are the colours and designs that people favour the most, what backdrops work best for all kinds of photography as we have created this new range.

Chrome, Magma and Ash Grey are the new additions to the Handpainted Mottled Collection. These are bold and vibrant colours with designs that are meant to add a beautiful depth to your images.

Pearl, Marigold, and Tulip are new additions to the Solid Mottled Collection. These are bright, beautiful colours that make them perfect for all kinds of content creators. From fashion videos to portrait photography, these colours will fit with everything you are planning!

Backdrops4ever Magma (L), Backdrops4ever Tulip (R)

We know you have been waiting for these – Airbrushed Backdrops

When it comes to premium fabric backdrops, there is no one who does it better than us. So we had to introduce more designs of our most popular Airbrushed backdrop – the BackdropsBazaar Copper Airbrushed Photography Backdrop!

Backdrops4ever Mauve (L), Backdrops4ever Mars (R)

The Mars Airbrushed backdrop and Mauve Airbrushed backdrop that we are launching in this series are beautiful adaptations of our most popular airbrushed backdrop. They have the most vibrant colours that will make everything you shoot pop instantly.

And that’s all for our new designs of Muslin backdrops. We hope you love these gorgeous colours and play with them this Holi.

Happy Holi from Team Studiobackdrops.

Tutorial

Baby Photography – Guide to choosing the correct Backdrops

Posted on by StudioBackdrops

Baby photography is definitely a joyous exercise, but it’s equally challenging too. When the reaction of your portrait’s subject is unpredictable (in this case a little infant), the right selection of backdrops becomes pivotal in setting the expected mood.

These backdrops can set diverse varieties of ambiance as per your client’s demand. They can create premium finesse to your final photographs, breathing life into these photos. But most importantly, these backdrops are a must for highlighting those adorable expressions that a little baby tosses at you.

So, here’s a complete guide for choosing the right backdrops for baby photography. This guide will give you all the required skills to understand the very demand of a baby photoshoot and the importance of backdrops in answering that demand.

What is Baby Photography?

Whether it’s their baby’s smile or walk or sleep – parents wish to treasure every little memory of their baby. No wonder, the demand for baby photoshoots is skyrocketing worldwide.

Baby photography or newborn photography is an extremely patient exercise of capturing memorable photos of a baby. These kids belong to a delicate age group of one month to five years. Therefore the comfort of the child is considered as the core of baby photography. In fact, maternity photography can also be seen as a form of baby photography. This equally requires care, caution, and kindness.

Baby photography is one unique genre where your expert assistants are actually the child’s parents. They can help the photographers to make the baby giggle, laugh, crawl or sleep. Accordingly, you can steal your best shots from these natural reactions of the baby.

However, what completes a baby photoshoot is the right ambiance. And this is where the right choice of backdrop becomes important.

Are Backdrops Important for Baby Photography?

Today, many parents simply use home-based props and sheets to create a setting for baby photography. However, a proper backdrop has the ability to freeze time like no other alternative.

These backdrops have almost become a necessity now as they are the standard practice to create timeless photos.

Defining the mood

Backdrops determine the vibe of a photo shoot. Vintage-styled, fairy-themed, or vibrant candids – the correct choice of backdrop will give you the exact mood you wish to set.

This is particularly important in baby photography because unlike adults, documenting babies is fairly unpredictable. The child might not respond in the way you wish them to be photographed. So, the backdrops become essential in setting the mood where portraits come out wonderfully, irrespective of the subject’s expressions.

Framing emotions

Another major role of backdrop in baby photoshoots is to create splendid close-ups for capturing baby’s emotions. Backdrops can create an effective depth and highlight the child’s expressions. No doubt, these backdrops are basic ingredients for a timeless portrait.

The comfort of the child

Photographers specializing in the genre of baby photoshoots are not just experts in the photography domain. They also excel in understanding how crucial the comfort of the baby is.

They understand that outdoor photoshoots can become taxing for little babies. Weather can occasionally get harsh and create unease. However, with backdrops, you can ensure the comfort of an indoor setting while maintaining the required background.

For instance, printed backdrops with a sky theme can produce pictures that are even better than photographs taken in an actual outdoor setting.

Image by Chitra Vora

Telling a story

Backdrops have a unique way of storytelling. This is precisely what parents expect. They wish to see a story of their child spoken through the pictures when the baby herself or himself cannot speak. Your backdrop sets a context to your images giving base to the story you wish to show through the pictures.

Choosing between Paper and Fabric: Pros and Cons

Different kinds of backdrops create different effects on your photographs. Therefore, it is important to closely understand these effects and choose the most suitable one for yourself.

Image by Anup Srinivas Reddy

Paper Backdrops

Paper backdrops come in seamless paper rolls. They can simply take your portraits from plain amateur to pure professional grade. They offer multiple advantages as discussed below. The diverse varieties of colors available in paper backdrops and their non-reflective nature have made paper backdrops, a must-have tool for photographers. The rolled nature of the paper and a decent thickness make the setting-up part very convenient. More importantly, the smooth texture of the paper is very comfortable for the baby as well. However, paper backdrops can be relatively fragile. Walking on the set can be harmful to the sheet. Especially during baby photography when you are supposed to keep the comfort of the baby as a priority, some wear and tear become unavoidable.

Fabric Backdrops

As the name suggests, fabric backdrops are cloth-based, available in different kinds such as canvas, muslin, and polyester. Advantages offered by fabric backdrops have made them reliable support for photographers worldwide.

The storage and portability convenience of fabric backdrops, especially muslin is unmatched. The depth and texture given by canvas can make you fall in love with the portraiture. The wide varieties available in fabric backdrops have made them useful in both product and portrait photography. When it comes to baby photography, fabric backdrops help you get those classy professional shots you desire and their long-lasting nature makes them a wise investment too.

However, one must remember that the fabric should not be uncomfortable for the baby. Moreover, Canvas backdrops might be a little expensive. The easily wrinkled textures on muslin can be a trouble to handle as well.
Despite this, professional photographers understand how precious these pictures are for the parents. Therefore, they always highlight the importance of the right backdrops in baby photography for delivering what these parents deserve.

The perfect backdrop for baby photography

While paper and fabric backdrops both have their pros and cons, Vinyl backdrops are the one that easily win. They are made of a top quality 13 mil substrate vinyl and give you a smooth, seamless surface to shoot with. Vinyl backdrops have a matte finish and give you the same non-reflective surface like paper and fabric.

But unlike paper and fabric backdrops, they are very easy to clean. You can even wash the backdrop and it will remain perfectly fine. The material is made to endure and once you purchase it, you can keep using it regularly for years. It can even handle rough usage and you can hang the backdrop and forget about it.

So when it comes to baby photography, vinyl is easily one of the top choices. Its easy to clean nature makes it helpful for any shoot with babies. And its durability ensures that it is a very sound investment for every photographer.

We hope this extensive blog helps you make the right choice of backdrop while getting ready for baby photography.

Tutorial

Do you need backdrops as a Fashion Influencer?

Posted on by StudioBackdrops

Fashion photography no longer remains the domain of highly influential and experienced photographers. In fact, new players have entered the game in the form of digital creators who create stunning visuals in their homes with much more affordable equipment. It is one of the most popular kinds of content on Instagram. And if you are a fashion influencer, or aspire to be one, then this blog will guide you through the process of how important photography backdrops are to the content you create.

Make Your Content Professional as a Fashion Influencer

While you can easily create images and videos with your phone and no fancy light setup, it is not going to be the same as professional creators on the platform. You can choose a great setting but it will not be the same as the content shot in a studio space. You might think making your visuals look like they are shot in a studio space is not important. But let us tell you that it is. People love images and videos that have a high production value and that look much better than anything they can create. It is all about making things look aspirational. If you decide to post normal, everyday clothes as a fashion blogger, then would your audience still be interested in your work?

Backdrops are a standard in most kinds of photography, but especially in fashion. Most studios stock an entire range of photography backdrops. They are a necessity when it comes to creating fashion content because they provide the quality background needed to display the clothing. They give you a clutter-free space that instantly looks professional.

Backdrops Bring Focus To Your Content

Backdrops are the easiest way to get rid of all the noise in the background and minimize all distractions. They ensure that the focus is completely centred on the subject of the shoot. Whether it is an outfit, makeup, jewellery, shoes, or just the person in the image, the focus remains solidly on the subject when a backdrop is in play.

There are three broad categories of backdrops used all over the world – Paper backdrops, Muslin backdrops, and Canvas backdrops. Paper backdrops come in one single colour and are often without any texture, made to give you a seamless effect. While Muslin and Canvas come in single colours and in painted variations too. All these backdrops have one thing in common – they are all non-reflective surfaces that absorb light. Any shine or reflection you would get from other surfaces is eliminated with the use of a backdrop.

The biggest benefit of a backdrop is that it gives you a complete set in itself. All you need is a backdrop stand to set it up properly and it removes everything unwanted from your shot. Whether you are using a paper backdrop or a cloth backdrop, it helps you reduce noise from your environment.

What Backdrops can you use as a Fashion Influencer?

There are benefits to both Muslin and Paper backdrops and we’ll tell you about both.
Paper is the first choice of industry professionals and it is everywhere in studio setups. They come in the form of a roll, so you can easily put them up on a backdrop stand and unrolled for usage. Seamless paper backdrops or single colour paper backdrops are the most popular ones. There are printed versions and paper backdrops with patterns but Content Creators often use single colour paper backdrops.

All you need to know about paper backdrops.

Paper backdrops are completely seamless and give you a smooth and even texture. It is the seamless quality of the paper that makes it more popular among Fashion Influencers everywhere. They provide the perfect plain background that helps in highlighting different coloured outfits and unique prints, patterns, and designs.

However, they are a little bulky and you can’t handle the paper roll alone because of its weight. If you are not careful with the storage of your paper backdrop, it might end up forming waves or creases through the paper. The paper roll has to be rolled up tightly and secured with tape to keep it fixed in place. And since they come in the form of a roll, they need large spaces to work with.

All you need to know about muslin backdrops

Muslin backdrops also give you the same seamless background that is smooth and even. They are less reflective than paper backdrops and will be easier to light. There are two broad categories of muslin backdrops, the Solid Muslin and the Mottled Muslin backdrops. They have more texture to them and they also come with various designs. Muslin backdrops are great for close up portraits and they will give you more dynamic and dramatic images.

The best thing about muslin backdrops is that they are very lightweight and you can carry them anywhere you want. You can easily create a setup in a small space with muslin backdrops. They are also very easy to store and if you take care of them, they can last you for several years. And, they are much more affordable too.

As Muslin is a 100% cotton fabric, it is a material that can get natural wrinkles. And it’s not possible to keep it free of all kinds of creases and folds. But you can easily get rid of them with a handy steam iron.

What Colour Backdrops to Choose as a Fashion Influencer?

If you want to play it safe, then white is the best option for a fashion content creator. It is perfect works with the entire spectrum of colours and it will always highlight your outfit when you click a picture against it. You can also experiment with different lighting setups and add different coloured highlights to your white backdrop. White, Super White, Bright White, Bone, Cream are different shades of white you can go for. However, at the end of the day, white can also make your content look like e-commerce photos and videos.

Another popular colour is grey, ranging from Slate grey, Thunder Gray, Dove Grey, Lunar Grey, Platinum Grey, every possible shade. Grey is also popular for its neutrality just like white. It highlights the entire spectrum of colours and stays in the background, providing you with a solid platform to shoot with.

Beige is a colour that has risen in popularity very quickly. Lately, more and more Fashion Influencers are opting for Beige, Wheat, Tan backdrops as it has become quite trendy. Unlike white and grey, it has a more noticeable presence in the background. But just like the previous two colours, it also does a great job of highlighting different colours. It is a colour that compliments Indian skin tones and works perfectly with all types of Indian complexions. When the backdrop matches your skin tone, the makeup and apparel pop even more.

Go big and bold with colours and textures

Blue, pink, orange green, yellow, black, there are so many colour options you can go for. But the question is, do you want to stand out from the crowd and make that statement? There are many fashion influencers who have opted for bright and bold colours and their content is even more compelling. Mottled muslin is also a great option if you want to play with varieties of colours and textures. They are created with different colours and dyes, and there is a texture that appears in your visuals.

Now that you know everything there is to know about backdrops, use them to create content and become the Fashion Influencer you aspire to be.

How-to

Cloth Backdrops – Everything To Know About Them

Posted on by StudioBackdrops

Freeing background from unnecessary clutter is like second nature to any photographer. And Cloth Backdrops are the most essential tools in this exercise. The increasing importance of digital advertising and social media-based entrepreneurship has increased the demand for cloth backdrops. So, an understanding of these backdrops is vital to make your photography stand out. It is what separates professionals from amateurs.

If you want to target the precise mood of the photoshoot. And address the ever-rising demand of clients for ‘uniqueness. And take your portrait from basic level to inspirational – then cloth backdrops are the way to go! After all, what’s behind the subject is as important as what’s in front of it. 

What are Cloth Backdrops?

Simply put, cloth backdrops are the fabric-based screen or background that separates your main subject from the overall image. Their main purpose is to add a depth effect to the subject. Photographers prefer them in areas of portrait photography, fashion photography, and baby photography. They play a role in controlling the light conditions and adding a surrounding effect. And that makes them useful for product photography and shooting videos too. The diverse varieties of colours, styles, and textures that they offer, make them very versatile. They can build an extra appeal to the photo’s subject, aiding better communication with the viewers. This instantly makes them professionals’ favourites!

Types of Backdrops 

When it comes to varieties of cloth backdrops, the sky is the limit! Hence, sorting through the choices and finding the best-suited cloth backdrop for your shoot can give you an edge. The three most popular variants of fabric to choose from are Canvas, Muslin, and Polyester.

Canvas Backdrops

Canvas backdrops are a classy variety that offers a wide range of subtle and dramatic patterns. They provide an interesting background to a portrait without competing with the main subject for attention. The canvas backdrops that we offer are all minimum 250gsm (gram per square meter) fabric, offering a firm background to the image. Within this material, we offer two kinds of backdrops – Solid and Handpainted. The handpainted category offers unique designs and patterns all created by a team of experienced artists. Brushwork and Airbrushed designs provided by us are especially preferred for highlighting the subject in depth, as you can see here. With Scenic and Textured backdrops, we provide vibrant sceneries and elaborate designs that frees you from the hassle of creating a set. In fact, these backdrops have an exceptional appeal to viewers’ emotions, making them want to stop and look at your creation! 

Muslin Backdrops

Muslin backdrops are much lighter and thinner, as they are constructed from cotton. Our muslin backdrop thickness starts from 165gsm. We provide two main types here – Mottled Muslin and Single Colour Muslin. The Mottled variety in turn offers splendid versatility such as 3D, Crush Dyed, Handpainted, Solid, Washed, and Reversible. They offer a solid-looking background when hung flat and can also be draped over different surfaces to transform the look of a picture.

By manipulating how it hangs these backdrops can be used to utilize the studio space in the most effective way! With the Single Color variant, you can experiment and explore the different background lighting techniques to give the portrait a neutral or dramatic touch. These backdrops are particularly in demand for their price reasonability. They are also conveniently portable and do not wrinkle very easily- earning them a dominant position in the market.

Polyester Backdrops

Another type of fabric backdrop that is gaining prominence is Polyester, particularly because they are free from shrinkage and wrinkles. They are washable, very convenient to store, and offer high resistance to wear and tears, hence very long-lasting as well. Another unique advantage of using polyester fabric is the fact that they absorb light rather than reflect it, aiding in glare-free shots.

The film industry prefers cloth backdrops because they are very convenient in shooting a scene inside the studio. You can easily artificially edit them (like the green screen editing) and replace with the required natural environment like a beach, forest, etc. 

The pros of using cloth backdrops

The market for photography backdrops has expanded exponentially in the last few years. A wide variety of materials are available today. And yet cloth backdrop is a preferred choice for professionals worldwide for several reasons.

  • Durability: Cloth backdrops are called ‘legacy’ purchases for their durability factor. Canvas backdrops are a long-term investment. Muslin and Polyester are easily reusable. They also withstand normal wear and tear.
  • Storage and Transportation: Backdrops often become damaged or unusable if not stored properly. But with muslin backdrops, you can just stuff them in the bag when done. Canvas backdrops require some caution and are stored in shipping tubes for ease.
  • Appearance: Canvas provides a formal look with very refined and finished results loved by the best photographers worldwide.  The visual advantage of Muslin is that it holds dye better than any other fabric so the colours on backdrops appear very vivid and saturated. 
  • Non-Reflective Surface: The flash of a camera or shine of the spotlight when it gets reflected by the backdrop, creates a distraction from the main subject. To avoid this, we offer high-quality absorbent fabric that absorbs light instead of reflecting it. 
  • Price reasonability: For backdrops, some people go for cheaper alternatives but a higher cost is inflicted due to the time spent on trying to fix it. The wise can well assess that time is money! 

Hence, from the age of hand-painted scenery hung at the back of a stage theatre to the era of digitally designed backdrops, the relevance of cloth backdrops has remained consistent and evolving. No wonder, some of the world’s most famous artistic photographers attribute their stunning portraiture to their selection of cloth backdrops. They are truly the very keystone for bringing the subject of a photo to life-which indeed is the ultimate purpose of photography!

How-to

Muslin Backdrops – The Dos and Don’ts

Posted on by StudioBackdrops

A versatile and long-lasting product, muslin backdrops are used in theatre production, studio photography, video production, and more. Muslin backdrops have a very long and rich history and both professionals and novices use them.  And we are sure you must have come across several versions of these cloth backdrops in your photography career. The heavy-duty curtains they use in school and college theatres? They are all made of muslin.

Here is a comprehensive guide to muslin backdrops. It has everything you need to know before buying the photography backdrop and how to do proper maintenance afterwards.

What are Muslin Backdrops?

Muslin backdrops are made of 100% cotton fabric and coloured with dyes. The solid material is lightweight, easy to set up and use, and remains the same colour even after years of usage.

Our muslin backdrops are made with a cotton fabric that is resistant to wear and tear. We work with the best textile manufacturers in India to stay up to date with industry standards and give you better quality time after time. The fabric we use is 100% Indian cotton and ranges from 165gsm to 350gsm.

We offer you several different kinds of Muslin Backdrops – Mottled Muslin, Single Colour Muslin, and Portable Backdrops. The difference between the three categories is the painting and dyeing techniques used to create the patterns and designs as well as their utilities.

Mottled Muslin backdrops are one seamless piece of cotton fabric. We create them with creative dyeing techniques, some of which are our in-house speciality. And the best feature is that they help you get better lighting as the backdrop removes any extra reflection from the image. 

Single Colour Muslin backdrops are also made with one piece of seamless cotton. As the name suggests, they are coloured in one solid colour and give you the option of selecting garments and models to create a unique shoot. 

The Portable Backdrops come with their own collapsible steel frames. It gives you a very smooth surface that ensures you don’t get inconsistent lighting. And you can prop it against a wall or a pole without any extra help, making it very easy to set up in any given location. 

Can Muslin Backdrops improve your content?

A good backdrop shifts the focus of the audience to the subject of photography. Muslin backdrops help you achieve this in various ways. The natural folds and creases add extra depth and texture.

If you love a certain location and want to design a set around it, then our muslin backdrops are pretty useful. As they are extremely portable and lightweight, you can carry them around easily. You can drape them across a stable surface, lay them out on the floor, or hang them on a wire or rod. If you get one of our X-Frame backdrops, you will get a ready-made frame that you can prop up without any help. 

Image Credits: Kalyani Ambike(Left) & Ashwin Fernandes (Right)

Creating full-length fashion photographs, videos, and reels becomes a hassle-free process with a backdrop that is hanging in one place. You can walk around on it or dance on it without worrying that the backdrop might tear, as the sturdy cotton fabric is very durable. And you can use it for topdown shots or videos.

The versatility of muslin also extends to product photography and food photography. They are easy to style and you can mould them around the product you want to highlight. There is no limit to how creative you can get with a backdrop like this.

How to take care of Muslin Backdrops?

Muslin backdrops are very lightweight and you can easily pack them up and take them to any location. To ensure that you get maximum use out of one backdrop you can follow some simple tips and tricks.  

The cotton fabric gets natural wrinkles the more you use it or if you store it for a long time. Get rid of these wrinkles easily by using a steam iron, flat clothes iron or a water spray. If you are using an iron to remove the crease, then make sure it is on low heat. It will keep the dye from reacting and/or changing colours and looking odd on camera. But a steam iron is the safer option because it preserves the colours and is also easy to use. A water spray is the safest way to preserve the colours and the fabric. Spray the backdrop and let it hang freely so the wrinkle disappears on its own. 

And if you don’t have the time to get the creases out, there is a simple way to make sure they don’t appear in your photos. You will have to shoot with a larger aperture and get your subject to pose at a distance from the backdrop. This gets rid of all obvious wrinkles. 

After your shoot is over, fold up the backdrop and store it in the packet. Ideally, store it in the same packet we deliver it in. Keep it in a wardrobe, cupboard, or even a utility closet. The main thing to remember is that it is safe from both direct sunlight and humidity. Add silica gel packets to remove moisture around it.

We do not recommend washing the backdrops in a washing machine as it removes the vibrant dyes of the backdrop and adds extra creases. If the backdrop has dirt then use a sponge and non-abrasive detergent to remove it from the spot.

We hope this guide helps you make a more guided decision with muslin backdrops. 

Review

Paper Backdrops And Everything You Need to Know About Them

Posted on by StudioBackdrops

If you have shot on a budget, you have tried several versions of paper backdrops to get a unique and smooth background in your images. We’ve all tried to use affordable chart papers or printed papers for tabletop photography. They might seem cool while you’re setting up, but they never seem to work out the way you want. The result on camera is always pretty disappointing. 

When it comes to a professional set-up with the right studio lights, paper backdrops are what hold up the quality of your images or videos. They are used in fashion photography, commercial portraits, catalogues, product photography and so much more. 

If you want to improve your content and know all the tips and tricks that industry professionals use, then you’re in the right place. Our experience of over two decades with handling seamless paper backdrops has taught us more than a few industry secrets. 

What are Paper Backdrops?

Paper backdrops are large, non-reflective rolls of paper that have a thickness of 120gsm to 150gsm. This thickness doesn’t affect what shows up on your camera but it defines how easy it is to handle the backdrop and how resistant it is to wear and tear. The bright and consistent colours are what make them very popular with different photography professionals. They are available in a variety of colours (often a single colour) but you can also get printed backdrops with unique designs. 

Professional photographers all over the world use seamless paper backdrops for studio and indoor photography. For decades, it has been used to create flawless images because the seamless paper is very easy to use. They give you a plain, crease-free, non-reflective surface that keeps all the focus on your subject. The smoothness of paper backdrops also helps you edit your images faster and make them perfect in no time. 

Some Tips and Tricks for Paper Backdrops

Their biggest benefit is that they are rolled up and ready to use when you receive them. You can create a set very easily by just unrolling the coloured paper against a smooth surface. If you don’t have a stand to hang the roll of paper, you can also cut the paper and tape it to any surface to make a quick and easy set. 

Since paper backdrops can be damaged or torn very easily, we recommend using only a flat, hard surface to roll out your backdrop. It can also roll back or curl up by itself, which is a hassle to keep fixing and makes it difficult to walk on the set. Use masking tape around the edges to keep it flat and smooth. And don’t forget to clamp the roll in place once you have unrolled the required length. 

If you are shooting full-length photos or videos and your model has to step on the backdrop, then make sure to clean the shoes. Dirty footprints can easily appear on your paper backdrops, so keep a rag or doormat next to your set. 

Some professionals also use transparent acrylic sheets on the floor. It keeps the backdrop clean as your model stands or walks around on it. And it also gives you the added benefit of a reflection in the image/video, giving it more flair. 

How to Store Paper Backdrops 

Storing paper backdrops for long term usage and keeping them in perfect condition is a question we are often asked. They can tear or rip easily and once they get dirty; you will have to cut off the dirty part before you can use the backdrop for a new shoot. When you are cutting away a part that has been destroyed, use a clean paper cutter instead of scissors. It gives you a clean cut and also helps you cut it in a straight line. 

Savage Seamless Paper, Superior Seamless Paper, and Trulite are made with 100% recyclable paper, so you don’t have to worry about making a huge impact on the environment either. However, we know that minimizing extra costs is always the better option, whether you are a professional or a beginner. 

After every shoot, you should roll up the backdrop tightly and store it in the box that we provide. It can develop creases and wrinkles if left hanging, so take it off the stand once your shoot is over. Store the paper backdrops in a dry space where there is no humidity and use silica gel packets to absorb any excess moisture. The best way to keep them in perfect condition for a long time is to keep them upright. This prevents the backdrop from getting damaged as the cardboard roll can bow and ruin the shape or create waves in the backdrop. 

Making Videos with Paper Backdrops


Video content is the way of the future and creating memorable Reels, Tiktoks and YouTube videos is what will set you apart from the rest of your peers. Use paper backdrops to create your video content and make your life easier. 

The hassle of creating a set? All gone. Just unroll your backdrop, set up your camera and lights, and hit record. Paper backdrops give you the benefit of colour consistency, so you get the freedom to experiment with colours. Choose a unique colour backdrop and make your video stand out from the crowd. Then you can create a single colour correction profile that works on all your videos. 

When it comes to size, a 4ft backdrop is perfect for a closeup of a single person talking. If you need a full-length video that has a lot of movement, go for a 9ft backdrop. Group shots are also best shot on the 9ft backdrop. And for anything and everything in between, the 7ft backdrop is perfect!

Some of the biggest photographers in the world have used seamless paper backdrops for their photography. Nick Knight, Annie Leibovitz, Jingna Zhang, Juergen Teller, Steven Klein – are just some of the few.

If you’ve read through this blog, you know all about shooting with paper backdrops. Go forth and make a masterpiece!