Background for photographing orchids

[Izzie]

I use my nice black velvet skirt draped creatively over whatever I have around.

I'll occasionally use a cat as a backdrop, but only at their discretion.

[dendro photo]

most studio photo work is done with muslin it dosn't reflect and is cheeper.

[fotofashion]

Velvet and velveteen are usually found in a fabric store where dressmaking fabrics are sold. Hancock's and JoAnn's are two chain fabric stores that are commonly found across the US. You can also look at upholstery velvet or velveteen. Both the abovementioned stores sell upholstery fabrics, too. Now, you may ask, what is the difference between the two? Definition from the Dan River Dictionary of Textile Terms: Velvet: A warp pile cloth in which a succession of rows of short cut pile stand so close together as to give and even, uniform surface; appealing in look and with soft hand. First made of all silk, many major fibers are now used in the construction. When the pile is more than 1/8" in height the cloth is then called plush. Velveteen: A filling pile cloth in which the pile is made by cutting an extra set of filling yarns which weave in a float formation and are woven or bound into the back of the material at intervals by weaving over and under one or more warp ends. Usually made of cotton and is washable.
When the time comes that I decide to buy backdrop fabric, I will compare them side by side. That is why it would be better to go to a fabric store where all types are on display.
This is probably more than you wanted to know.
Beverly A.

[Duane McDowell]

I use a black t-shirt draped over my computer monitor (Most recently a concert t-shirt from a Who show). So long as my subject is at least a few feet from the backdrop and is small (I grow minis at home), the background just disappears.
At work, we use a piece of black tagboard bent into a curve. It works really well, even with really big subjects.

[Shirley]

Eddie, I've been using a piece of black poster or artist's board for years and it works well, also very cheap. I have a corner window in my bathroom where there is good diffused light and I just prop the board up by putting a stick behind it and then setting the plant in front.

[silken]

In my advanced photography class, we were told the best for no reflection is black velvet. It doesn't show wrinkles or fold lines in the fabric either. I went to Value Village (a thrift store) and bought a long velvet dress and undid the seems. Voila-a good sized piece of velvet for about $5.00! I have used it many times for my orchid photos with great success.

[ntgerald]

I use black corduroy. Also, it helps if you have a macro lens, because the background can be darkened or blurred.
Flickr: ntgerald's Photostream

[jim blanford]

Well this is what I use, you can get these at craft stores like Hobby Lobby and a lot of others, it folds up for storage, they come in different colors, just great... Jim.

[ronaldhanko]

Nice set-up, Jim - I find black cardboard a bit too reflective, however, though a good matt black spray paint helps.