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 p.1 #1 · Cheap ideas for backdrops | |
Ok I am not sure if this is the place to post this or not but. I thought I would share some tips on how to come up with cheap stuff for your backgrounds so they are not just plain cloth backdrops. Or you are just low on funds. If you can use the ideas great but if not Don't yell cause I posted this in the wrong place I will remove it. I have never written something to share here but was bored and thought well why not share it. So this is my first of any type of writing or sharing.. if you do not understand something please shoot me a email.
My first thought when starting my studio was. How was I am ever going to afford to buy all the stuff, I was ever going to need to do it? For the past ten yrs or more I have done a lot of work out of the back room of my home two years ago I decided It was way to be small for major work or to do real portrait work. I rented a large studio room, suddenly I was over whelmed with all the room and lack of anything but a few sheets and white walls.
Well here are a few tips on how to save some money on backgrounds and sets.. If you are tired of the sheets and white walls.
1.You have to be able to ask for stuff. That's the number one rule. It will supersede any other idea I have here.
2.Never stop searching ideas for backgrounds, I am always seeking found ideas when I am traveling or shopping. IF you see an idea you like of someone do not be afraid to build on it. Take it and run with it.
I did my last years Christmas barn set from Old barn doors torn of a construction site that was going to the burn pile. The first day I drove past the place I thought Hmm ?, I wonder that is just what I am searching for in my studio. Next day I stopped and ask what are you doing with this pile of lumber? Answer Burn it. I ask if I could have it, Sure saves us from lugging it off, and then they took me inside and showed me more I could have. As a result, four doors latter I had a barn set with a nice cool tin roof. I also found a window pane to use on the wall.
http://slrphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/6739395_zMp7X/4/440355928_9wvbG/Medium
http://slrphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/6739395_zMp7X/2/433242966_Neufc/Medium
It's been my most used set to date. I can change it for most any season and the parents love it.
This years Christmas set was Candy Land. I decided to ask for stuff, I thought stores might toss out last year. I was at our local home and garden center one day, and they were taking down their Christmas decorations, and I ask Hey what are you doing with that stuff? Again it was tossing it into the trash. Red rolls of corrugated paper I took six rolls of it. Red on one side white on the other at the time I had no clue what I was going to use it for but knew it was large rolls of paper colored paper at that. It became the background for my theme this year. The rest was construction paper candy on the walls, Fluff on the floor for the snow and some Styrofoam suckers on a stick. Some Red Christmas balls mixed in the snow and again a cheap set for Christmas and the kids loved it at first site.
http://slrphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/6739395_zMp7X/2/433237557_26pgp/Medium
The bonus with this set is we can safely transform it to our Valentines day!
The other money maker set; we had this year was our wonderland set. This set did not cost us a penny but gas to go to the school and pick up the material. Your local school is possibly a great place to check after the local proms. They have so much gossamer lining the walls of the Gym that they give it to the trash can. You can find a new color each year to add to the great backgrounds you are gathering up. I have so much now I just stuff it into huge bins. It was the whole making of our wonderland set. We decided we wanted huge columns to drape the gossamer over and to make an archway for the kids. The pillars our Red Corrugated cardboard turned backwards to the White side. When we could not decide how to make it sturdy.. our local appliance dealer was handy for the tall straight Styrofoam to stand inside it duck taped together. Some blue and white Gossamer draped on walls columns and the floor... with some lights under it... some foam snowflakes from the Dollar store.... and silver ornaments. We had our best seller. Therefore, doing sets are really not as hefty on the pocket as you may think, IF your willing to step out of the box and ask. It saves the landfills from more trash, saves you money, makes great ideas build out of our imaginations.
http://slrphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/6739395_zMp7X/4/440305917_zytMz/Medium
http://slrphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/6739395_zMp7X/2/433238581_cEiet/Medium
As a result, I have spent the last few days as I am shopping taking the time to ask for the manager of the store to see if the decorations are going to the trash. I have been promised all the Boxes off the tops of the cash registers, the huge cardboard Christmas wrapped boxes that say the Christmas shop. In addition, the huge Christmas balls and the twelve foot tree at the front of the store with the decorations on it. How much more could I ask for from one store. Yesterdays take was huge silver snowflakes, it's a matter of seeing and believing in yourself enough to ask and see it before you create it.
My Props are also found things, such as the Huge box on our set this year. A stove or refrigerator box. I Wrapped three sides of it and made a lid to match. The reason for this box is that they are extra heavy and not as likely to tip over. The box was duck taped together and held up to at least 40 kids in it from six months to nine years old even chewing on the sides of it. It still looks as good as it did when I first set it on the set.
http://slrphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/6739395_zMp7X/1/431028289_N6YVM/Medium
http://slrphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/6739395_zMp7X/1/433231455_NurXT/Medium
Now if you can't get a Santa to play Santa but your parents would like some Santa photos Here are some ideas I use. Pick up a Santa suite they are cheap after Christmas.
Have Dad to be Santa... He can hold a hand, Have the baby looking over Santa's shoulder if dad wants to do the whole Santa route. Just having a little one hanging on Santa's boots turns into a cute photo.
http://slrphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/6739395_zMp7X/1/433233670_vsBxa/Medium
http://slrphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/6739395_zMp7X/2/433244420_32s3C/Medium
Of course dad being Santa does not promise a non teary eyed kid.! I hope this helps with some ideas for sets and how to gather some up cheaply. Just hated to see the season go by with a ton of trash going to the dumpster.
If anyone else has great Ideas, I am sure they are a welcome idea in this time and age of economy.
Happy Hunting
Sherry Skinner...AKA..... SLR-Photography
If you would like you can even give me some great ideas of yours to share here. I think it would be great to know ... how people come up with the ideas and backgrounds they use. I know I just do not have a Large budget to work on different backgrounds so free or nearly free is great!
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