Photography has gone through many stages of evolution since its conception. Early photography was mostly limited to indoor environments due to the chemicals involved and the long exposure times needed.
This gave rise to the need to introduce elements of the outdoors behind the subjects. This was when the first studio backdrops were created. The earliest backdrops were often painted renditions of scenery, also known as scenics, or just walls layered with actual props in front.
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However, you would be surprised to know that the birth of backdrops was not for photography or videography. The first backdrops were used for stage productions, plays and theatre productions. As a matter of fact, backdrops are still a staple of such productions, be it in the Gershwin Theatre in New York or the National Theatre in London.
When it comes to Photography and Videography, backdrops were ideally intended to be true to their name, in the backdrop of subjects. As the art forms took hold, its pioneers started experimenting with the medium, in the foreground and in the background. This triggered a simultaneous need for innovation in the backdrops that were being used.
The 1930s and 40s had a lot of tapestry-inspired backdrops along with a resurgence of renaissance-style backdrops with a lighter-coloured centre and highly vignetted edges. This was a common backdrop style used by renaissance painters and it gained prominence as a backdrop painting style for portrait photography as well.
The 50s marked the introduction of mottled muslin backdrops. These were usually made from 150-250gsm cotton fabric and dyed with multiple colours to create extraordinary textures. The inspiration for these backdrop dyeing techniques was taken from the Bandhani & Shibori tie & dye techniques from India and Japan respectively. These were also very pocket friendly and long-lasting and soon became a staple in all photography studios around the world.
It is perhaps this origin of mottling muslin backdrops from Bandhani that explains why Indian backdrop manufacturers like StudioBackdrops.com and Aavant remain the undisputed leaders in the manufacture of muslin and canvas backdrops around the world.
In the late 60s and early 70s, photographers started using rolls of paper as the backdrops in their photographs. This led to the creation of a completely new vertical in the world of photography and videography backdrops, seamless paper backdrops. These paper rolls were really effective in creating an infinite single-colour effect behind the subject and they took the industry by storm. The 2 companies leading the charge in this vertical were Savage Universal and Superior Specialities. They introduced a wide range of colour options and completely changed imaging forever. Both these brands are available in India through StudioBackdrops.com which is India’s largest photography and videography solutions platform started by Archisman Misra.
The 80s was the era of VFX and green screens with movies like Star Wars: A New Hope setting the benchmark. More and more photo and video content started being shot on green screens as the improvement of computers made chroma keying a relatively easier task and often accessible to even the most basic of users. Chroma backdrops took over the world and almost everything was being shot on a green screen. In fact, if you watch any behind-the-scenes footage of the Marvel Blockbusters, you will see that most of the frame is green. Nowadays with software being able to chromakey the green away even on live video, green screens are here to stay for a long time.
As with all mediums, modern-day photographers and videographers are going back to the old vintage handpainted backdrops, this has caused the resurgence of all the old methods and styles of backdrops that have existed through the ages. A lot of advertising and marketing images are now being shot on handpainted canvas backdrops and mottled muslin backdrops. The credit for bringing back these types of backdrops in India goes to StudioBackdrops.com, who has not only perfected the techniques but employs some of the most experienced backdrops painters in the world. Their designs are in extremely high demand and used for photographers, videographers, brands and agencies from all parts of India.
This has been a short history of backdrops as a medium and how they developed over the years. What are your favourite backdrops?
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