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How to Measure Muslin for a Backdrop

Muslin makes an excellent photography backdrop. It is affordable, easily dyed and readily available in fabric stores. Additionally, the muslin backdrops are easy to store. These factors have made the fabric very popular with those on a budget setting up photography studios. While muslin can take the pain out of choosing the right background, it can also be frustrating if you are trying to work with a section of muslin that is not the correct size for your needs. It is important to take in a few factors when measuring your muslin fabric for use as a background.

Things You'll Need

Measuring Tape

Instructions

- 1
  Consider what style of photographs you will be shooting. If you will be shooting primarily headshot portraits, a small amount of muslin will do; a piece slightly bigger than the average human bust. A muslin piece about 4 feet by 4 feet will work well. For full-body shots, you want a piece that is at least a few feet taller than your subject and wide enough to cover the entire frame. For this type of work, an 8-by-10 section of muslin should suffice.
- 2
  Measure the width of your backdrop stands. If your muslin is wider than the maximum width of your backdrop stands, you will lose the added width of your muslin. Your muslin will be only as wide as the stand that supports it. Having the muslin be narrower than your stands is not a concern.
- 3
  Sketch out the design, if any, you will be painting onto the muslin and use its scale to determine the size of muslin you will need. For example, if you will be painting a tree onto the fabric and want to scale it so it appears to be life size, you will need a large sheet of muslin.

Photography