Photography Backdrop

[MichaelMouse]

Also have since picked up a couple of black ones in kits from Costco for the car, but mostly use a sheet of baltic birch plywood if I want to shoot anything that is not very large in size, bounce flash off the ceiling can help too with a fill card to flip some light forward to help fill overhangs.

It's so massively easier with digital cameras vs film I learned photography with as you get to see you screwed it up for free and not $9.95 for 36 developed and printed photos.

Problem with other than dead white/gray/black backgrounds is they lend some color to the lighting.  You can overpower their effect easily with cheap floodlights.

Before I built any of the elaborate tents you see in articles, I'd try some toilet paper over the floods for lower intensity dispersal.

[Phil Thien]

I use a window shade (white) mounted to the floor joists overhead. I roll it down when I want to use it. I should have gotten a wider one, though, something I will remedy when I get a chance.

[WaterlooMarc]

I appreciate the replies so far! I don't build a lot of small stuff, unfortunately for my back. I'd say my average piece is 4' wide. Most of the backdrops I'm seeing are only around 4 or 5 feet wide, and I think that's too small. Like Phil, ideally I'd like to find something that I could mount to the ceiling and just pull down when it's time to shoot.

[Woodshop]

without knowing how big of projects you are trying to photo it is difficult to recommend something. Neal Addy's web sight is an excellent place to start. http://www.nealaddy.org/node/16
I use a cheep photo tent for most of my small projects (woodturnings and boxes) I also use a very nice Background, Per Neal's suggestion.
I use #39 found here  http://www.phototechinc.com/graduate.htm
The beauty of the graduated backdrop is that you can move the shading up of down for more dramatic affects . You must be careful not to scratch them. to go wider you can make you own or hang two or more side by side. I like the shade Idea
THTH
Don