Fabric Backdrop
The first element in creating a studio-like setting is a fabric backdrop. It doesn’t need to be expensive and made by a professional photographer. You could use anything, from your grandmother’s tablecloth to a duvet that fits perfectly. It is important to ensure that the colour and light you use are appropriate for the image you intend to create. When we want a natural look, we like linen or cotton.
You will need a backdrop that is wrinkle-free and flat. Outdoors, we don’t recommend using rolls of backdrop paper. It is easy to damage outdoors, and it isn’t easy to move about.
Hang the Fabric Backdrop with “Something”.
We don’t recommend carrying a complete stand to support your fabric backdrop. But you will need something to hang it from. Online, you can easily find inexpensive frames. You might not require one, depending on where you live. These are examples of how I used the natural world to hang fabric backdrops within different environments.
- At the beach: Find tall pieces of driftwood you can attach the fabric to and hang. To hang the material from one point to the next, you can use twine or string.
- In a forest: Find two trees that are equal in length, tie a knot, and drape the fabric across the rope to create an ethereal effect.
- If the wall is too low, you might consider using a stand or two ladders to hang your backdrop in other environments.
To help you hang and manipulate your fabric, you’ll need to add tacks, rope, clothespins, and other accessories.
A combination diffuser/reflector
Although it is unnecessary for the shoot, this will help you (especially if you have extra hands to hold the diffuser/reflector). You can use a simple circular diffuser/reflector combo (such as this) or a complete kit.
A diffuser and a reflector are great tools for manipulating natural lighting. This combination will be useful if you shoot on a sunny, bright day. You’ll struggle to manage the natural light outdoors without it.
Benefits of Using Fabric Backdrops in Portrait Photography Outdoors
Studio photography was not something I was interested in when I started as a photographer. I found manipulating artificial lighting daunting. It’s nearly impossible to make it feel natural unless you have thousands to spend on professional equipment.
There were occasions when I had to photograph people. Natural backgrounds in nature didn’t work for me. The ocean background is beautiful, but it doesn’t fit the requirements of a business portrait or similar. It was possible to bring studio-style equipment outdoors and still create studio-style images. These are some of the benefits I discovered when using fabric backdrops outdoors.
You Have More Control Over Your Environment
Photographers have more control over their final images by setting up an outdoor studio environment. You can remove the natural elements that make each location unique by using a backdrop for your pictures. You can shoot any brief by simply changing the environment. You can use a plain black setting to create more editorial images or a white linen background to capture more lifestyle-focused imagery.
You can shoot anywhere in the world.
A kit that can take portraits outdoors allows you to travel anywhere. Even if your goal is to travel, you can still capture the same picture regardless of where you are, and it will look and feel the same. This is a great advantage for photographers who want to create a brand that uses studio-style imagery. It doesn’t tie you down to one place or location.
Outdoor Photography = Less overhead costs.
The upside to shooting portraits outdoors with fabric backdrops is the low overheads. Stock creators often have to spend their own money to create images that will sell on the market later. This is a big advantage. Outdoor shooting is more affordable than studio time and allows you to be flexible with your shoot based on the availability of models and your schedule.
Types of Fabric Backdrops
Let’s now discuss the benefits of using fabric backdrops for outdoor portrait photography. The sky is the limit for simple colours and thick canvas.
My local thrift shop is my favourite place to buy fabric backdrops. They often have old sheets in vintage and unique fabrics that you won’t find anywhere else. You can find fabric backdrops in hardware shops, most camera shops and online.
Canvas Fabric Backdrops
Outdoor portrait photography is very popular with canvas backdrops. You can find canvas backdrops in any hardware store. Canvas backdrops are heavy and bulky so that they won’t wrinkle or crease easily. These are only available in one colour (beige), so their use is limited.
Fabric Backdrops: Muslin
Muslin is another popular material for studio backdrop photography. You’ll find this fabric in most camera shops. It comes in a large variety of colours as well as prints. These are generally made of cotton and can be carried around more easily than canvas. They also come in different sizes to suit your needs.
Fabric Backdrops: Linen Sheets
Linen is one of my favourite fabrics for portrait photography. Linen is softer than plain cotton and canvas and has a natural movement that suits my Photography. You have to be careful with linen because it can wrinkle easily, so bring a portable steamer or something to help you remove them.
Fabric Backdrops: Vintage Fabric
You can use almost any kind of fabric to shoot your wedding, as we have already mentioned. The tables were covered with vintage textile from thrift shops at a backyard wedding. These sheets were perfect for creating unique portraits afterwards, I found. Find the right pattern at your local thrift shop and get creative!
