Portrait Backgrounds

[Rob.Richards]

Recently for cluttered backgrounds with no other options, I have been using a large piece of black felt for a low key portrait feel. If I am honest you can clearly see it is felt so I really need to replace it.

I was thinking about one of the lastolite pop up backgrounds or something similar but they are quite pricey. Has anybody got any other suggestions or reccomendations?

 

[Kemble3]

I think the reason you can see the felt background is that you are putting to much light on it. Try moving your subject further from the background and/or reduce the amount of light, so you light the subject but not the background

This image was shot using a simple black felt cloth background.