Love your blog. Quick question, if you don't mind (not related to this post). Over at Marooned, Jay G posted a pic of an old revolver. You commented that sheets don't make good backdrops. Can you explain why? Or what your thinking is? Is that only when an item is actually lying on the sheet (as opposed to the sheet hanging on a wall with a person in front of it)?? Is there a technical reason?
It's not a technical reason so much as an aesthetic reason. When an amateur photographer thinks "background", he or she often first thinks "bedsheet", because a sheet is physically similar to a photographic background in some ways. But a sheet usually has a lot of wrinkles and creases. I learned this the hard way in high school, trying to shoot portraits. A plain wall works better. A sheet also has a crummy looking texture up close. Satin might have a decent texture, but a plain cotton sheet doesn't. Most product shots are shot on something like metal or laminate (like Formica). I often use leather or a mineral substance such as slate. I also use Varitone background which are a vinyl material that has a gradation screened on it. A place like the Set Shop (www.setshop.com) sells a lot of cool materials to shoot products on the tabletop.
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Hey Rick
Love your blog. Quick question, if you don't mind (not related to this post). Over at Marooned, Jay G posted a pic of an old revolver. You commented that sheets don't make good backdrops. Can you explain why? Or what your thinking is? Is that only when an item is actually lying on the sheet (as opposed to the sheet hanging on a wall with a person in front of it)?? Is there a technical reason?
Just wondering.
I'm not ignoring this question... I just need some time to write up a coherent reply. I'll try to get to that tonight.
It's not a technical reason so much as an aesthetic reason. When an amateur photographer thinks "background", he or she often first thinks "bedsheet", because a sheet is physically similar to a photographic background in some ways. But a sheet usually has a lot of wrinkles and creases. I learned this the hard way in high school, trying to shoot portraits. A plain wall works better. A sheet also has a crummy looking texture up close. Satin might have a decent texture, but a plain cotton sheet doesn't. Most product shots are shot on something like metal or laminate (like Formica). I often use leather or a mineral substance such as slate. I also use Varitone background which are a vinyl material that has a gradation screened on it. A place like the Set Shop (www.setshop.com) sells a lot of cool materials to shoot products on the tabletop.
BTW... you can see the Varitone background material... click here.
i understand, and agree.
The sheet we used to use (back in the day) where actually hung and kept that way. They didn't have wrinkles in them, but your point is well taken.
As I stated on Jay G's, I tend to like leather for guns or metal objects. I'm going to look into the varitone material.
Thanks!
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