Black Background Fabric???

[Sherina W]

I've used just plain ole' black bedsheets for my black background and it sucks b/c I waste way too much time trying to "post edit" the wrinkles out. Does anyone have any suggestions on what kind of black fabric I could use that is really black and I don't need to worry about wrinkles or anything?

[Brains]

How about moving your subject forward and letting light do its thing? Is that an option for your setup?

[kenw]

felt, or other more matte-surfaced materials will show fewer wrinkles.

Or stretch it before you shoot to remove wrinkles. It's not like you can't see them before you shoot.

[rescue951]

Sherina, I had gone to wally world and in there fabric dept found a good deal on flat black fabric. I think it measures around 12x16 feet ish. and i paid around $8. Actually I have purchase a white, navy, and red pieces also from them. Just an idea.

[JohnT]

You can also go the seamless paper route. I was looking at this just this morning.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont....y=0&Go=submit

You will need a support system for it though.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont....y=0&Go=submit

[Stephanie Shirley]

I also went to Wal-Mart and searched their clearance section. I found some heavy fabric that measures about 10x20. I had to sew it lengthwise, but for $13 it was a steal.

Have you tried making sure that your black is showing up really black, so much so that the wrinkles cannot be seen when doing a levels adjustment?

[CaptainTom]

When the background looks wrinkly, etc. the causes are usually.

1- subject too close to background causing the background to be in the DOF.
2- lighting ratio between subject and background is not high enough.
3- aperture is too small and causes background to be in DOF. (related to no. 1)
4- background is really , really wrinkly and can't be fixed. (oh wait, that should be subject is really wrinkly and can't be fixed)..

[texkam]

When the background looks wrinkly, etc. the causes are usually.

The photo lab mangled your prints.

[BKing]

Velux.

[brad]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

When the background looks wrinkly, etc. the causes are usually.

1- subject too close to background causing the background to be in the DOF.
2- lighting ratio between subject and background is not high enough.
3- aperture is too small and causes background to be in DOF. (related to no. 1)
4- background is really , really wrinkly and can't be fixed. (oh wait, that should be subject is really wrinkly and can't be fixed)..

Exactly.. with #1 and #2 being the biggest ones.

Move your subject away from the background and turn your lights so they don't light it directly. As long as the background is 2 or more stops under your subject, it will appear black.

Take this shot for instance..


(Lar Park Lincoln, currently fighting breast cancer)

This was shot without a backdrop at all.. the black behind her is her living room.. I just made sure that the light in there was more than 2 stops under the light on her.. and like magic, the background is black.