Why floor drops are a must-have for any photographer

If one has ever been to any type of formal event before, then they have probably seen a photography backdrop. Photography backdrops usually are made of durable material that does not wrinkle or produce a glare. Moreover, backdrops are a great way to promote businesses, brands and more. What isn’t often spoken about are photography floor drops or mats. However, one might argue that they are just as important as a standard backdrop – pro tips are important. That said, if this is your first time hearing about photography floor drops or mats, don’t worry. Here is a quick overview of floor drops or mats and why they are a must-have for any photographer.

What are floor drops?

Photography floor drops or mats are more commonplace than one would think. Really any vinyl material that is used in a photography studio, home or workplace can be classified as a floor drop. In addition to being made out of vinyl material, most floor drops or mats are typically composed of hard material that is resistant to water, heat and dirt, which allows floor drops to be easily cleaned and replaced. On rare occasions, polypaper may also be used. However, vinyl floor drops or mats are the more durable and washable option.

The specs

As briefly mentioned, most mats are made from either vinyl or from durable and comfortable quality polyester material. Floor mats and backdrops can also be purchased together as a matching set or mixed – for a complete studio setup. Normally, mats are approximately 1.5mm thick, heavy-duty, non-slip and have a rubber backing (to prevent any movement or shifting while in use). Due to the material that floor drops are made of, they are easy to transport and store: gently roll the mat up and stow away when not in use.

What’s more, these photography mats are extremely realistic in appearance and can also double as a backdrop, especially if one opts for one of the larger sizes (5’x7’ and 8’x8’).

Usage of backdrops and floor drops

That said, most backdrops are mainly used in photography studios, on film sets or for special events and occasions. For instance, one will typically find a diverse selection of backdrops at events such as weddings, graduations, political functions, post-match presentations, festivals, birthday parties, film premiers and so on. In contrast, floor drops or mats are used at functions, studios, red carpet events and homes, for instance.

Hard floor vs vinyl floor drops

Not too long ago, many people opted for hard floor drops or mats. However, it became abundantly clear that hardwood floor drops were pricey, harder to wash and involved a lot of effort to replace. Hardwood floor mats also created creaking sounds when used and needed to be refinished on occasion. Vinyl floor drops, on the other hand, were affordable, reusable, washable, replaceable, smooth, quiet and did not need to be refinished. As a result, the choice for many people was obvious.

Seamless paper

In addition to backdrops and floor drops or mats, many photographers rely on seamless paper as well. Seamless paper is basically a backdrop, but it is not made from wood, vinyl, or some other material. Instead, seamless paper is one of the most versatile background papers available in 68 colours and four standard sizes.

This paper is a photographer’s favourite, thanks to its large, smooth, non-reflecting background surface. Furthermore, there is no need to clean or wash seamless paper. Rather, when it becomes too dirty for use, one can simply cut the sullied portion of the background paper off and continue on with the photo shoot.

Why use floor drops?

So, now since we’ve gone over the basics of floor drops or mats, one may be wondering, why exactly does anyone use floor drops? Well, the answer is simple—for aesthetics purposes. Floor drops or mats are considered “the premium faux-floor photography solution” for most professional photographers.

Moreover, there is an ample selection of styles available in several sizes. Thus, a photographer can achieve their desired look while adding texture, interest and detail to their work.

Keep it versatile

Besides adding a little something extra to one’s photos, floor drops or mats have more than one use. As briefly touched upon, floor mats can be used as backdrops and for other purposes. If one would like to use a floor mat or drop as a backdrop, all they need to do is hang the mat from any available background support system, and they should be good to go. With the quality material and convenient sizes, anyone can easily change out floor drops or mats and add versatility to any photo session.

Create an atmosphere

Many photographers use floor drops and mats to create a certain atmosphere as well. Instead of having a boring or expected background, floor drops and backdrops can create the perfect setting for any photoshoot. In fact, many artists choose to mix and match floor mats and drops in order to get a feel for their overall vision for the shoot. Typically, a brick backdrop and vinyl hardwood-looking floor mat have been present at countless photoshoots.

Plus, floor drops allow the professionals to save money on seamless paper. So, if one is just starting out, they do not have to spend twice as much trying to purchase a variety of backdrops and seamless paper.

Extending one’s artistry

Some professionals even use floor drops or mats to extend their artistry. For example, photographers and artists with a particular vision in mind may choose a plain or solid colour drop or mat. This allows them the opportunity to paint the floor drop to bring their vision to life. They then pair their painted floor mat with a backdrop or seamless paper to achieve their desired effect.

Take away

As shown, backdrops and floor drops are absolutely crucial if you want to have a one-of-a-kind photoshoot or photo-opt. So, if you are interested in available backdrops or floor mats, then go to https://www.justvisionit.com/backdrops/ for more details and ideas for your next photoshoot.

The editorial unit