Canvas Backdrops On the Cheap

Whether you're doing portrait photography, small product photography, or maybe just experimenting with your lighting or close up techniques, a valuable accessory is a canvas backdrop. 

Place it behind your portrait subject or your close up object to eliminate any background distractions. You can use selective focus to blur it out or keep it somewhat in focus. Use it as the cover for the table in your table top photography.

Trouble is, buying several can start to add up in cost. I've seen 6x9' canvases for about $60 and a large 12x12' canvas can set you back as much as $200 to well over the $400 mark.

Now, if you want a painted mural or specialty design backdrop, you will just have to buy one. Or buy a CD with several included as a digital background and learn your image manipulation program (ACDSee, Photoshop, etc...) to create a virtual background.

Or, find a creative, crafty, inexpensive solution for a basic backdrop.

I went to a paint/hardware/builder's store and purchased two twin packs of 6x9' canvas paint drop cloths. I'm going to keep one in the natural color (tan) and will dye the other 3 with a fabric dye, like RIT, to black, med brown, and maybe either green or red. Paint drops are available up to 12x12' and even 15x15' depending on where you shop. Make sure you get the basic kind. Don't get any made of artificial fibers or with a plastic leak proof underneath layer.

The dye will not take evenly across the entire canvas, but that's a little bit like how many of those very pricy muslin backgrounds are designed. You can either downplay the uneven look or enhance with lighting and focus techniques.

I'm starting with some 6x9s myself. Incredibly cheap ($18.90 total at Home Depot during their Memorial Day sale), and a good size for either table top and small product work or behind a head & shoulders portrait.

I'll show you after I'm done dyeing how they look and how they work in use.

There are other lower cost solutions to many photography needs. I'll be visiting some other ideas in future posts.