backgrounds and backdrops at Photographer's SupplyStation

All Solid Backgrounds Are In Stock for Immediate Shipment!

NEW! See all the NEW fabulous custom-made pro backgrounds HERE!

Background contents page...

We all know (er, well, we all should know) how a different background (also called a backdrop) can completely change the look, feel, tone, and atmosphere of a shot. That's why there are backgrounds! Hey, this isn't the forum for a photography lesson, but just as a "quckie" (no, not THAT kind of a quickie ;-) to give you an idea, look at the pictures below; both are the same girl. Only one has a blue background, and the other has a green background. Look at her eyes. See? If you want to improve your pictures and videos, you might consider using different backgrounds in your photographic endeavors. And as your backdrop collection grows, you might consider something to hold the backgrounds: ergo, background sets and systems!

Yeah, yeah, I can hear the purists already complaining about the lighting differences, but I ain't trying to make art here, nor is it a "lesson" but just an imperfect example, so keep quiet and make your own pictures; if you've got a better example, send it in (I'll use it!), OK? If not, then consider one of the great background packages and make better photographs!

Classic Muslins | Impressionists | Old Masters #1 | Old Masters #2 | Scenics | Hot Spots | FL Hot Spots | Solids | Muslin Contents

In stock for immediate shipment!

Ah, most appreciated visitor, one of the "secrets" of pro photographers is the judicious use of backgrounds (also called backdrops). By placing our subjects (regardless of whether they're people or products) in front of a wisely-chosen backdrop, we emphasize and highlight the subjects in the most attractive and eye-catching ways. Virtually all great pictures are designed with attention to the background, and how that chosen background will make our victims (um, our "subjects," that is:) look better, stand out, or attract the viewers attention to (place the emphasis upon) our subjects.

See some technique information below

Price
Item (all dimensions are in feet)

29.95
6' 8" x 9' Raw muslin - This is a great starter background for those of us who are just begining to realize the importance of backdrops to good photography. At this low price, you can buy several; keep one raw, then paint or dye the others to have a great selection! Raw muslin is a lovely cream color, and has been used in its raw state as a favorite of photographers for years. Also, you can easily dye and/or paint raw muslin to create beautiful custom backgrounds that sell for up to $450.00! What IS a "Muslin" you may ask? Muslin is a type of cotton material that is light weight, easily hung, draped, stretched, folded, or rolled. It's easy to paint and dye, and relatively inexpensive. You'll likely acquire several different color muslins as your photographic needs advance. But if your budget won't stretch to buy additional backgrounds, you add to your background creativity by using a bed sheet (iron it first, so all the wrinkles are gone), or a wall, or buy some cheap material at a local fabric store (use solid colors, or mellow blends; avoid loud patterns or designs - they just detract from your subject. You want your background to compliment your subject, not overpower it). Set your victim (um, your "subject," that is:) at least 4-6 feet in front of your background (whatever it may be), and place your background strobe behind your subject (hidden from the camera's view, of course). No need to spend a fortune to get great pictures, just be imaginative and creative with the equipment you have. Please note that this muslin does not come hemmed or with a loop sewn across the top (however, it's a simple matter to make a loop - to insert a background cross bar through - with a few safety pins (real photographers improvise:), or you can sew one yourself, if you're handy).

69.95
9 x 12 Raw muslin

79.95
9 x 15 Raw muslin

79.95
10 x 12 Raw muslin

89.95
10 x 15 Raw muslin

89.95
9 x 12 Pure white muslin - Pure White gives us the ability to get those great images with a "drop out" white background. Additionally, it allows us to change the color of our backgrounds simply by using a color filter over our backlight strobe; see how here.

119.95
9 x 15 Pure white muslin

149.95
10 x 15 Pure white muslin

139.95
10 x 12 Photographer's18% gray muslin - That's right, folks! A perfect 18% gray! Unique and wonderful for setting your exposure!

129.95
10 x 12 Jet Black muslin - For that "drop dead black" we all love so much. Great for shooting people or products which we can make look as if they're "floating" in space.

169.95
10 x 15 Jet Black muslin

129.95
10 x 12 Sky Blue muslin - This is the muslin to use for folks with blue eyes, and one of the most popular colors for high school and group pictures, as well as for any time when a subject is wearing clothes with blue in them. A perennial favorite.

149.95
10 x 15 Sky Blue muslin

See the Background Support Sets here: -- Deluxe Triple Set ---- Economy Set

NEW! See ALL the fabulous custom-made pro backgrounds HERE!

The prices above, except for the 6'8" x 9' raw muslin, include a sewn loop along the top edge for insertion of a background cross bar. If you do not want the loop, deduct $8.50 from the prices above. Since these are all top quality, 100% cotton muslins, you may expect 5% to 10% shrinkage after washing. Although the most popular lengths are reflected above, additional lengths (up to 300 feet long!) are also available; just send in a request for a price quote. Canvas and paper rolls coming soon!

Shipping (in continental USA) is 12.40 for the 6'8" x 9' raw muslin, and 16.85 for all others. If you order more than one muslin background, add 10.90 for the 2nd and additional backgrounds shipped together to the same address.

To place an order, simply use the online order form, or send me an e-mail listing the items you'd like, and I'll get back to you with all the payment and shipping options for your consideration.

This is just the beginning; much, much, more is coming soon! Check back often!

It's FUN! -> Subscribe to my photographic Mailing list! <- It's FREE!

Technique: The most important secret of good photography is the thought the photographer puts into a picture before s/he even considers what type of film to use! The point here is that we have to train ourselves to think before we shoot! What color is our subject? How can we make that color (or shade) stand out? Look at the example above, and see how the simple choice of using a background that matches our subject's (blue) eye color can improve our pictures. We have to ask ourselves: What do we want to emphasize in our picture? How will we direct our viewers' eye to our subject? If it's an outdoors photograph, how will we separate our main subject from any other distracting elements in our photograph? At which angle should we shoot? Is it important to establish place in this photograph (i.e., is it important for the viewer to know where our subject is? Or do we want to hide the location)? If we're shooting people, what is our victim's least appealing feature (i.e., a large nose, a bald head, pot belly, lotsa wrinkles, etc.:)? How can we hide or de-emphasize it? What's our subject's most appealing feature (i.e., eyes, profile, smile, boobs - oops! sorry, I couldn't resist:) ? How can we emphasize the attractive aspects of our subjects? These are the questions photographers have to ask, before we shoot. THINK before you shoot! MAKE a photograph - don't "take" a snapshot! Learn to "design" your picture before you pick up your camera! Take a piece of paper and a pencil, and sketch out what you want in the picture you're considering; this will be a great help in the beginning, and after a few weeks or months of doing this, you'll start to do it all in your head, and won't need the pencil and paper any more. I promise you that a good photograph doesn't require the genius of an Einstein - it just takes a little thought and preparation (creativity and practice doesn't hurt either)! You don't have to study photography for 20 years, just train yourself to think before you shoot! Don't try to plan out 100 subjects all at once; think about one or two, and then use 10 rolls of film on just a few ideas. Shoot from different angles; shoot from different heights; shoot with different lighting angles; shoot with color film; shoot with black and white film; think, then shoot! Pretty soon, you'll wake up one day and realize that you've changed; you'll look at the world differently; you'll "see" things most people never even notice; one day, you'll realize that you've become something special; something different, but different in a most amazing and wonderful way; you will have become - a photographer!

Quickie Photographic Technique #3: Portraits - Set the camera at subject's eye level; focus on the eyes; light one side of the face brighter than the other (half in light to medium shadow); to hide wrinkles use umbrellas or softbox/softcase; to further hide wrinkles, use a "soft focus" filter (it works like magic!); to de-emphasize a large nose, raise camera level slightly and shoot full or 3/4 face; to de-emphasize a receding hairline, lower camera slightly or have subject raise head slightly. More "quickie technique" information will be included in my other auction descriptions and web pages. Thank you for viewing this page!

NEW! See ALL the fabulous custom-made pro backgrounds HERE!

Classic Muslins | Impressionists | Old Masters #1 | Old Masters #2 | Scenics | Hot Spots | FL Hot Spots | Solids | Muslin Contents

In stock for immediate shipment!
Ah, most appreciated visitor, one of the "secrets" of pro photographers is the judicious use of backgrounds (also called backdrops). By placing our subjects (regardless of whether they're people or products) in front of a wisely-chosen backdrop, we emphasize and highlight the subjects in the most attractive and eye-catching ways. Virtually all great pictures are designed with attention to the background, and how that chosen background will make our victims (um, our "subjects," that is:) look better, stand out, or attract the viewers attention to (place the emphasis upon) our subjects. See some technique information below
Price	Item (all dimensions are in feet)
29.95	6' 8" x 9' Raw muslin - This is a great starter background for those of us who are just begining to realize the importance of backdrops to good photography. At this low price, you can buy several; keep one raw, then paint or dye the others to have a great selection! Raw muslin is a lovely cream color, and has been used in its raw state as a favorite of photographers for years. Also, you can easily dye and/or paint raw muslin to create beautiful custom backgrounds that sell for up to $450.00! What IS a "Muslin" you may ask? Muslin is a type of cotton material that is light weight, easily hung, draped, stretched, folded, or rolled. It's easy to paint and dye, and relatively inexpensive. You'll likely acquire several different color muslins as your photographic needs advance. But if your budget won't stretch to buy additional backgrounds, you add to your background creativity by using a bed sheet (iron it first, so all the wrinkles are gone), or a wall, or buy some cheap material at a local fabric store (use solid colors, or mellow blends; avoid loud patterns or designs - they just detract from your subject. You want your background to compliment your subject, not overpower it). Set your victim (um, your "subject," that is:) at least 4-6 feet in front of your background (whatever it may be), and place your background strobe behind your subject (hidden from the camera's view, of course). No need to spend a fortune to get great pictures, just be imaginative and creative with the equipment you have. Please note that this muslin does not come hemmed or with a loop sewn across the top (however, it's a simple matter to make a loop - to insert a background cross bar through - with a few safety pins (real photographers improvise:), or you can sew one yourself, if you're handy).
69.95	9 x 12 Raw muslin
79.95	9 x 15 Raw muslin
79.95	10 x 12 Raw muslin
89.95	10 x 15 Raw muslin
89.95	9 x 12 Pure white muslin - Pure White gives us the ability to get those great images with a "drop out" white background. Additionally, it allows us to change the color of our backgrounds simply by using a color filter over our backlight strobe; see how here.
119.95	9 x 15 Pure white muslin
149.95	10 x 15 Pure white muslin
139.95	10 x 12 Photographer's18% gray muslin - That's right, folks! A perfect 18% gray! Unique and wonderful for setting your exposure!
129.95	10 x 12 Jet Black muslin - For that "drop dead black" we all love so much. Great for shooting people or products which we can make look as if they're "floating" in space.
169.95	10 x 15 Jet Black muslin
129.95	10 x 12 Sky Blue muslin - This is the muslin to use for folks with blue eyes, and one of the most popular colors for high school and group pictures, as well as for any time when a subject is wearing clothes with blue in them. A perennial favorite.
149.95	10 x 15 Sky Blue muslin
See the Background Support Sets here: -- Deluxe Triple Set ---- Economy Set
NEW! See ALL the fabulous custom-made pro backgrounds HERE!
The prices above, except for the 6'8" x 9' raw muslin, include a sewn loop along the top edge for insertion of a background cross bar. If you do not want the loop, deduct $8.50 from the prices above. Since these are all top quality, 100% cotton muslins, you may expect 5% to 10% shrinkage after washing. Although the most popular lengths are reflected above, additional lengths (up to 300 feet long!) are also available; just send in a request for a price quote. Canvas and paper rolls coming soon!
Shipping (in continental USA) is 12.40 for the 6'8" x 9' raw muslin, and 16.85 for all others. If you order more than one muslin background, add 10.90 for the 2nd and additional backgrounds shipped together to the same address.
To place an order, simply use the online order form, or send me an e-mail listing the items you'd like, and I'll get back to you with all the payment and shipping options for your consideration.
This is just the beginning; much, much, more is coming soon! Check back often!
It's FUN! -> Subscribe to my photographic Mailing list! <- It's FREE!
Technique: The most important secret of good photography is the thought the photographer puts into a picture before s/he even considers what type of film to use! The point here is that we have to train ourselves to think before we shoot! What color is our subject? How can we make that color (or shade) stand out? Look at the example above, and see how the simple choice of using a background that matches our subject's (blue) eye color can improve our pictures. We have to ask ourselves: What do we want to emphasize in our picture? How will we direct our viewers' eye to our subject? If it's an outdoors photograph, how will we separate our main subject from any other distracting elements in our photograph? At which angle should we shoot? Is it important to establish place in this photograph (i.e., is it important for the viewer to know where our subject is? Or do we want to hide the location)? If we're shooting people, what is our victim's least appealing feature (i.e., a large nose, a bald head, pot belly, lotsa wrinkles, etc.:)? How can we hide or de-emphasize it? What's our subject's most appealing feature (i.e., eyes, profile, smile, boobs - oops! sorry, I couldn't resist:) ? How can we emphasize the attractive aspects of our subjects? These are the questions photographers have to ask, before we shoot. THINK before you shoot! MAKE a photograph - don't "take" a snapshot! Learn to "design" your picture before you pick up your camera! Take a piece of paper and a pencil, and sketch out what you want in the picture you're considering; this will be a great help in the beginning, and after a few weeks or months of doing this, you'll start to do it all in your head, and won't need the pencil and paper any more. I promise you that a good photograph doesn't require the genius of an Einstein - it just takes a little thought and preparation (creativity and practice doesn't hurt either)! You don't have to study photography for 20 years, just train yourself to think before you shoot! Don't try to plan out 100 subjects all at once; think about one or two, and then use 10 rolls of film on just a few ideas. Shoot from different angles; shoot from different heights; shoot with different lighting angles; shoot with color film; shoot with black and white film; think, then shoot! Pretty soon, you'll wake up one day and realize that you've changed; you'll look at the world differently; you'll "see" things most people never even notice; one day, you'll realize that you've become something special; something different, but different in a most amazing and wonderful way; you will have become - a photographer! Quickie Photographic Technique #3: Portraits - Set the camera at subject's eye level; focus on the eyes; light one side of the face brighter than the other (half in light to medium shadow); to hide wrinkles use umbrellas or softbox/softcase; to further hide wrinkles, use a "soft focus" filter (it works like magic!); to de-emphasize a large nose, raise camera level slightly and shoot full or 3/4 face; to de-emphasize a receding hairline, lower camera slightly or have subject raise head slightly. More "quickie technique" information will be included in my other auction descriptions and web pages. Thank you for viewing this page!
NEW! See ALL the fabulous custom-made pro backgrounds HERE!