Black Velvet for background

[PapaJames]

I've seen many references for using black velvet for backgrounds and would like to try it. I've used other fabrics and they are either too shiny or are not pure black under the lights. I'm using it in a lightbox for various still lifes, so the depth of field doesn't necessarily blur the background.

My question is, what type of velvet does one use? I went to Joanne's fabric and at $26-plus a yard, I don't want to buy something that won't work correctly! I've seen two major types; one for clothing and one for upholstery. And various different qualities are out there. Plus there is cotton, poly/cotton/nylon mixes, and whatever else I missed.

Any direction? Thanks in advance!

[i speak in math]

Originally Posted by PapaJames

I've seen many references for using black velvet for backgrounds and would like to try it. I've used other fabrics and they are either too shiny or are not pure black under the lights. I'm using it in a lightbox for various still lifes, so the depth of field doesn't necessarily blur the background.

My question is, what type of velvet does one use? I went to Joanne's fabric and at $26-plus a yard, I don't want to buy something that won't work correctly! I've seen two major types; one for clothing and one for upholstery. And various different qualities are out there. Plus there is cotton, poly/cotton/nylon mixes, and whatever else I missed.

Any direction? Thanks in advance!

get the one that absorbs the most light.

[PapaJames]

"get the one that absorbs the most light."

LOL... Thanks Eric... that part was pretty obvious to me.

That is my question... hoping someone share just which is the most light absorbing. Or is it not that big of a deal?

[bhursey]

I just use black Muslin from Joanne's I think its in like the quilting section. Just don't shine a huge background light on it. Actually the point is to get no light on the back drop if possible. As long as the subject is like 4 to 6 feet away from the backdrop and your using a fast shutter speed like 1/250 so the light will drop of quick. You should be fine if the background gets sorta lit just pump the black adjustment up a tad.

Joanne's normally had like 25% off coupons I think in the news paper. I got out of the store with a 12'x10' backdrop for 25$.

This was the first shoot I used that backdrop worked great as you can see.

[Nicole]

I totally agree with bhursey. I just use a cheap piece of black t-shirt fabric I got from the local fabric store. It was the most budget friendly, and black is black. The trick is definitely making sure you don't get light on it (and if you do get a little light on it, it's usually a pretty easy fix). Given that you're using it in a lightbox, it's a pretty safe assumption you can't put lots of distance between the fabric and your subject, but it just goes back to what I was saying- make sure you get the direction of your light right. A lot of the time if I want a black background I just put the object on my black computer chair. Very rarely do I need to get the texture out of the shot at the end. But I do use the fabric for other things too.

[LeeR]

Black velevet is rated as among the most non-reflective surfaces on the Earth. Others include a stack of razor blades and the inside of a cow's horn. All of these are exceptionally black because they trap light rather than reflecting it. I know people are telling you that other fabrics will work, and they may in many cases but nothing beats black velvet. I would stay away from the synthetic materials as much as possible as they can be shiny; shouldn't have that problem with cotton.

[ttosifa]

Originally Posted by LeeR

Black velevet is rated as among the most non-reflective surfaces on the Earth. Others include a stack of razor blades and the inside of a cow's horn. All of these are exceptionally black because they trap light rather than reflecting it. I know people are telling you that other fabrics will work, and they may in many cases but nothing beats black velvet. I would stay away from the synthetic materials as much as possible as they can be shiny; shouldn't have that problem with cotton.

I second this. I wish I could remember the type, but the black velvet I got a Joanne's is amazing. It doesn't take a whole lot of work to set something, for example, on a base covered with velvet and have the base be completely black sooc. Backgrounds are even easier.

And don't be a typical clueless male going into Joanne's: Find the 40% off the 25% coupons first. Or, I guess, pretend to be the typical clueless guy so the other people (typically female) feel sorry for you and offer you their coupons...

[spazoid1965]

Delta | Black Velvet Board - 27x38" (68.6x96.5cm) | 45540

Savage | 52"x20' Velvetine Background - Midnight | 522020

[PapaJames]

Thanks so much for the help! All the input was spot-on. I'm doing close-up still-lifes, so the velvet seems the better choice for me.

Those velveteen boards also look very interesting...

Anyway... I'm on my way to Joanne's with my 40% off coupon to buy a couple yards of cotton black velvet.

Thanks again!

[mipo]

Hi,
You can see example of some pictures using black velvet as a background in my Orchid Album on Flickr.

Orchids - a set on Flickr

Ps. When I purchased my piece of velvet, I had not much choice in the store...so I purchased what they had in stock and cannot tell what kind it is, only that it works.

Hope it helps for your pictures.