This Month's Featured Web Resource

The Backdrop Outlet
http://www.backdropoutlet.com
site@mail.backdropoutlet.com

Day Dream ES-314

Every beginning photographer has tried shooting in a studio setting early in their career. Usually, the ‘studio’ is a part of a living room or den with furniture pushed to one side and a bed sheet tacked against the wall. It worked for a while, and then the realization that the backdrop looks like a bed sheet tacked to the wall sinks in, and the decision is made to get some professional looking backdrops. The question is: “from where?” Luckily, there’s a great resource available on the web that produces professional-quality backdrops at prices that hobbyist can afford. The Backdrop Outlet, based in Chicago, Il provides a wide variety of hand-painted muslim and canvas backdrops, as well as a good selection of props. Although geared towards portrait photography, you’ll see their products in many glamour and fashion images as well. Starting off as a catalog and showroom operation, they opened their first Internet site in 1992 as an extension of their catalog and to advertise specials. Just a few months ago, they added a shopping cart to their site and their percentage of sales over the Internet averages 8% of total sales.

Pearl ES-301

We talked with Michael Walsh, the General Manager of the Backdrop Outlet, for some information about what products their company offers. According to Michael, their most popular backdrop is the neutral "Pearl” (es-301), which he says is good for families and weddings, or just any portrait when you need a neutral background. Michael says that, overall, the most popular size is 11’x24’. He explained that you could hang it 24’ wide for large group shots, or 11’ wide for solo portraits, or groups up to 6 people. 10’x24’ is the second most popular size. He also said that muslin out sells canvas. One of the reasons, he explained, it that it’s much easier to work with because it’s a lighter fabric. Also, you don’t want a lot of people standing on the canvas. Of course, you don't HAVE to have a neutral backdrop; they also have backdrops to meet every photographer's need. One of their unique products is their "Fantasy Cloth", a solid or hand-painted sheer cloth that can used alone or layered over other backdrops. They appear to take gels well, and produce a softer look in the finished image. Also, look at some of their alternative backgrounds - metallic backgrounds, plexiglass, confetti and silk.

Mottled Fantasy Cloth

Michael continued to tell me about their products: All their backdrops are hand painted. They keep 10-12 items in stock, and the rest they ‘paint to order’. Surprisingly, they manage a 7-10 business day turnaround on orders. Their business is also about 7% custom orders, mostly by large corporate studios. To put things into perspective, Michael gave me some statistics: Each year they use, on the average, about 11,000 yards of canvas (about 6.2 miles), 48,000 yards of muslim (over 27 miles), and over 5000 gallons of paint. The paint they use is latex based; oil-based paints have a tendency to crack, and pose a fire hazard during both the manufacturing process and with customer use.

SCM-2014

As to care of backdrops, Michael suggested that they be stored crumpled up in a bag. Their product line includes a 'canvas bag' just for this purpose. The bag is actually made of rip-stop nylon, not canvas (you put your canvas INTO it!). A lot of people fold their backdrops, but that leaves nasty creases that are hard to smooth out. He recommends taking the backdrop out of the bag and hanging it for a few hours before a shoot to let the wrinkles fall out. The small wrinkles are not noticeable in the finished image if care is taken with lighting, exposure and keeping the subject far enough away from the backdrop. He also says that using a hand steamer to get rid of the wrinkles is good, too. While not in their catalog, The Backdrop Outlet has just added a small hand steamer to their product line ($14.95 plus tax and S&H. EMAIL them for details). Michael also said that you could also iron the backdrop from the backside (the unpainted side) if you really wanted a smooth finish. If you ever need to wash a backdrop, NEVER put it in the drier - it causes shrinkage! Lay it flat outdoors (painted side down) until dry.

Columns

The Backdrop Outlet is more than just backdrops, though. They offer a full line of props and clothing to help make your shoot look good. The big sellers are columns (useful for glamour or wedding shoots), numbers (very big for senior pictures) and their foam posers (baby pictures and general portrait work). They also sell the standard chairs, stools and tables which should be part of any studio photographer's prop collection, but look through their catalog and you'll find many unique pieces that will add to any set you create. Additionally, they sell clothing, mostly vintage-styles. According to Michael, many people buy them for their children to wear at weddings, or just to wear out. This says something about the quality of their merchandise. They also have basic glamour items, boas, sequined tubes and lace gloves.

Lace Gloves

The last category of products that the Backdrop Outlet sells is studio equipment. They sell a couple of different styles of backdrop stands, which they keep in stock for immediate shipment. They also sell a track system for larger (or dedicated) studio space. I was amazed at some of the harder to find items they stock - smoke machines and bubble makers for example. They also have a small selection of studio lighting. Items like these make the Backdrop Outlet a 'one-stop shop' for studio needs.

Backlight Combo EX-1401

While their site is nicely laid out, I would suggest that they go through and try to keep the same 'look and feel' throughout the site. Also, it would be nice to have a 'care and feeding of your backdrop' page on their site. Many of the things I learned about backdrop care came from my conversation with Michael. Of course, they are in the process of rebuilding their site, so these things may already be in the works. The one thing I would suggest adding to their product line would be a basic makeup kit for photographers. While drugstore cosmetics are ok for some shoots, it would be nice to have a good resource for photographic makeup. Considering the care they use in selecting the products they currently sell, you would be assured it would be the best available at a reasonable cost.

Brown Temptation DM-215

Which brings us to the best reason to investigate The Backdrop Outlet: the prices. Comparing the prices in their catalog to equivalent products by other vendors, I found a 10% to 50% difference in some items. Being a customer of The Backdrop Outlet, I can vouch for the quality of the products I've received. Their customer service department is top-notch, too! This is probably why the bulk of their orders is repeat business. Don't forget to ask for their print catalog. Not only does it show some great photography (about 85% of the catalog images are by our Photographer of the Month, Art Ketchum [see RELATED ARTICLE], you can see much more detail in the products.

So, when you're ready to step up to do more professional studio work, take a look at what The Backdrop Outlet has to offer.

---

hmpc.tripod.com - Main Menu - hfmpc@yahoo.com