Red Curtain Backgrounds

What is in this collection

Most of the collection is velvet: a true red theatre curtain in deep box pleats, burgundy velvet in wide soft folds, oxblood velvet in low-key light, wine red pinch pleats, narrow cranberry cabaret pleats, a faded vintage cinema curtain and a crimson Austrian festoon with rows of scalloped swags. For movement there is a diagonal sweep and a billowing curtain; for mood, dark red velvet in candlelight, ruby velvet with a cool blue rim light and a curtain that fades from bright red to deep garnet. Other fabrics include glossy cherry red satin, sparkling red lamé, sheer red chiffon layered over wine fabric, burgundy damask jacquard, a close-up of crushed red velvet and red velvet behind warm fairy lights.

Stage curtain backgrounds for booths and templates

A red curtain backdrop says show night at a glance, so it suits awards evenings, proms, film premieres and casino parties. In a booth template the curtain is the base layer under frames, photos and lettering. For busy layouts, pick a calm one: the matte brick red velvet has shallow, low-contrast folds, and the curtain fading into shadow keeps a lighter top for a title. The box pleats and pinch pleats have an even rhythm, so they look tidy behind a grid of photos. Behind a cut-out subject, the diagonal sweep and billowing curtain add movement for dancers and performers. For other colours, the curtain backdrops collection has white, black, gold and pastel drapes, and foil fringe backdrops give a shiny party curtain.

Tips for using these backgrounds

• Light the subject from the same side. Each background page lists its light direction: the oxblood drape and the blue-rimmed ruby curtain are lit from the right, the wide burgundy folds and the cinema curtain from the left. Match that side in a full-frame portrait, and add a warm rim light for the red glow on hair.
• Cut strips from the portrait file. Vertical pleats repeat across the width, so almost any narrow slice of the portrait file makes a clean 2 x 6 strip, and the full file fills a 4 x 6 print. The festoon swags and the diagonal sweep have more shape, so check where they fall before you crop.
• Keep text readable. Red velvet goes dark in the folds, so use white, cream or gold lettering, and put a soft shadow or a semi-transparent panel under small text. The brick red velvet and the curtain fading into shadow need the least help.

For awards nights and stage shows, digital backdrops for event photographers covers corporate, awards and gala looks; browse all textured backgrounds for other surfaces.