How to Set Up a Photography Studio Backdrop
- 1). Purchase enough fabric to hang from ceiling to floor with enough drop-off for full-body shots (a total of 4 to 5 yards). The standard bolt is 45 inches wide, which is wide enough for close-ups. For wider shots, use a 90-inch fabric width. Fold the top of the fabric down to create a hem of about 3 inches. This step is necessary to reinforce the fabric so that the weight of the backdrop won't tear the grommets from their positions.
- 2). Install grommets at the top of the fabric in the layer you just created. Be sure they are evenly spaced and level. The end grommets should be about 1 inch from the edges so that the backdrop will hang without sagging on the sides.
- 3). Count the number of grommets you installed, and then measure the distance between each one. Hang a hook in the ceiling for every grommet, making sure that the space between each one matches the spaces between the grommets.
- 4). Attach the backdrop by putting a hook through each grommet. Let the backdrop puddle on the floor. For full-body shots, pull the fabric so that it extends across the floor.
- 5). Increase your picture-taking opportunities by adding a variety of backdrops to your inventory. A portable film screen can double as a backdrop stand. Cut a length of muslin to fit the width of the screen and adhere it to the top of the screen with industrial-strength Velcro. Paint the muslin pieces a variety of colors to match skin tones and clothing choices. Or use various shades of the same color of paint to create a mottled backdrop. Dab the paint on the fabric with a sponge and cover the backdrop with a consistent amount of each color. Create scenic backdrops or holiday scenes by using a projector to shine the images on the muslin and then trace and paint the images.
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