Background paper for digital studio photography.

Here is the kind of backdrop that most people start out with. I did this kind of backdrop for longer than I wish to remember. The only saving grace is that a black backdrop can be made “creaseless” in Adobe Photoshop, but that is a waste of time.	Here is a backdrop that does not look tacky. No creases. You are supposed to throw away the parts that get wrinkled or scuffed from use.

These views are in our studio in Guatemala, where we are doing a Mayan ethno-botany project. This means we are photographing all the fruits, vegetables, and other plants that serve as a utilitarian use for the Maya people of Guatemala, as well as plants that were eaten. This is pitaya, the fruit of a cactus-like night blooming vine that grows wild all over the country.

If I remember correctly, they also have backdrop colors that can be used for green chroma key and blue chroma key. Just be sure to light your subject carefully so the reflection from the green or blue does not color the back of your subject.

For background paper you need a background stand

Yes, there are cheap ways to jerry rig your own homemade backdrop stand. But they sag, and look unprofessional. It is more professional to have a background stand. If your studio is for serious commercial photography, then you would need a background stand for holding at least three rolls at a time.

Savage Universal Corporation makes four styles of background stands, including a portable one.

Savage Universal Corporation also offers digital fluorescent lighting

FLAAR is a specialist in studio lighting for digital photography. We cover digital fluorescent lighting by

•  Westcott ( Spiderlites, good lighting),

•  Videssence (made to hang from the ceiling, so they are too unbalanced for using on light stands, and the carrying cases fell apart),

•  Balcar (great lights, every professional)

and Lowel (we have used Lowel lights for decades)

Until I visited their website four years ago I did not realize that Savage, which I know for decades for their backdrop paper, also has added fluorescent lighting. We can't comment on them otherwise until we have them available in our studio, but it is clear that fluorescent lighting is becoming increasingly popular for digital photography.

Most recently updated September 9, 2010.

First posted June 19, 2006.

Available by october 2008 Available by octuber 2008 Available by october 2008 Available by october 2008 Available by october 2008

Nicholas Hellmuth’s Medium Format Digital Camera Initiative For over 40 years Nicholas Hellmuth has used Rolleiflex and Hasselblad cameras to record the flora, fauna, and archaeology of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. Now for several years he is extending his medium format experience to digital photography. Since FLAAR works both in a studio as well as out on location, we are an ideal focus for judging portability. We have experience with large format digital scan backs (the excellent BetterLight) and we also use Nikon and Canon digital cameras. A full-service digital pro should have at least one medium format digital system and should consider large format digital options as well. Although we started with a Leaf Valeo 22 coupled with a Mamiya 645 AFD body and lenses, we are open to showcasing all bodies as well as other digital backs. Indeed we have tested an Imacon 4-shot back on a Hasselblad H1 body. Then (February 2006 onwards) we are evaluated a MegaVision black-and-white dedicated back for fine art photography. Next we are testing a 33-megapixel Phase One P 30. Since 2008 FLAAR has used a Phase One P25+ (a great way to update an aging Hasselblad ELX body with its excellent Zeiss lenses). Camera resellers or manufacturers who wish to have their cameras, lenses, and backs included in this initiative are welcome to send their equipment for evaluation. FLAAR is the de facto source of information because we have been university based, independent, blunt, and we are one of the few review sources that dares to review advertising specs, advertising claims, and advertising hype. We can afford to reveal all the pros and cons because FLAAR is a research institute. Photographers feel they can trust a university research professor who has devoted years to understanding the pros and cons of each aspect of a digital camera system and workflow. Notice you are not blinded by blinking, flashing, or pesty ads for low-bid camera stores on a FLAAR photography review. I am always amused by a pseudo-review that obviously is simply paid to send you to a camera store. You can download our colorful FLAAR Reports on our medium format digital camera initiative.