Two main sources of traditional seamless photography studio backdrop paper

During over forty years of studio photography I have interchangeably used Super Specialities seamless backdrop paper or Savage backdrop paper. Presently we have primarily background paper from Savage because they sent it for evaluation (it works fine). But in past years we have used backdrop paper from Superior. Indeed the best material I have ever seen was a synthetic white backdrop material from Superior Specialities in Japan. But the US company did not know of this material (it was circa 1996, when FLAAR was hired by the Japanese National Museum of Ethnology to do a feasibility study for their museum on scanning and digital asset management.

Superior makes traditional seamless background papers in dozens of attractive and subtle colors, scenic background material with texture, fabric backgrounds (muslin) and graduated backdrop material. Of the traditional background papers, one blue and one green are chroma key compatible.

Superior Specialties has a clever eye-catching theme, female models dressed entirely in backdrop paper.

Superior Specialities also sells gaffer’s tape and naturally offers photography backdrop stands.

Superior specialities background paper.

If you prefer synthetic material for backdrop paper

 You can try FeatherWhite Multi, FeatherWhite Ultra from BSR Manufacturing. We have no experience with this material (don’t have any), have not noticed it at any trade show, so are unable to comment on it until we have it available. It may very well have been at hundreds of trade shows but with thousands of products displayed, unless the booth is very special, we may not notice the products

If you need a backdrop in the form of paint

Rosco makes many kinds of “photographic backdrop paint” Rosco also makes Cinefoil and Photofoil which are useful to have around the photo studio.

First posted June 21, 2006

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

Medium Format Digital Camera Initiative For over 30 years Nicholas Hellmuth has used Rolleiflex and Hasselblad cameras to record the flora, fauna, and Maya archaeology of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. Now, for the last six 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 (D300) and Canon (EOS 5D) 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. FLAAR also has an 80-megapixel large format camera (yes, they do exist, we have a Cruse). 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 tested an Imacon 4-shot back on a Hasselblad H1 body. For a month (February 2006) it was possible to evaluate a MegaVision black-and-white dedicated back for fine art photography. We are also considering the Rolleiflex 6008 AF, one of the outstanding medium format cameras that still offers European precision. However in the last 40 years we have not received any Rollei (or Franke & Heidecke) equipment for evaluation, so we can comment only on the Hasselblad and Mamiya (loaned briefly two years ago by Mamiya America). Camera resellers or manufacturers who wish to have their cameras, lenses, and backs included in the digital photography evaluation initiative are welcome to send their equipment for evaluation. Curently all the medium format backs are coming from Global Imaging Inc, Greg Lamb, CEO (contact 800 787-9802, press 4, fax 212 722-0988). This is one of the few camera stores in the entire US or Canada that offers ALL major brands of medium format (so they have no incentive to push one brand over the other). However we are also open to receiving medium format backs directly from the manufacturer. Over 381,154 visitors came to this www.digital-photography.org web site to learn which cameras, lighting, tripods, and accessories have proven themselves during evaluation by FLAAR. Since we deliberately do not review low-end cameras, our reviews attract a sophisticated audience. The total "visit" count is 791.562 during 2007, but we prefer to use the visitor count, 381.154 as being more realistic. FLAAR is the de facto source of information on medium format digital cameras because we are 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. You can download our colorful FLAAR Reports on our medium format digital camera initiative.