Archive for October, 2007

Cheap Photography Studio Backdrops

Published by hexfire on October 23, 2007

studio backdrop One of my favorite websites on the planet - Strobist - has yet again posted something of genius. He took a nice trip through the home photographers candy land of Home Depot and found all things cheap in relation to making easy, and home friendly backdrops for cheap.

Direct from Strobist:

“Here’s a trick: To cut the drywall, you score one side with a utility knife (using a straight edge as a guide) and gently snap it. Do this carefully, and you can preserve the paper on the opposite side to make a nice, joined temporary corner for a shoot.”

Basically you need to go to Home Depot and get yourself some drywall. This lovely cheap material makes the perfect cheap studio backdrop. A backdrop can be anything from plain solid colors to large luscious patterns of color or textures. It all depends on what you’d like in your photo session backdrops.

After you’ve managed to heft some drywall onto your big orange shopping cart, head on over to the paint section. Here is the second crucial step for making a cheap studio backdrop. The drywall loves to be painted. Take a look through all the offerings that the store has, and pick out a few options you’d like to try. I personally like the faux brush patterns that you can pick up cheap and doesn’t take that long to do once you’re home.

So thats it, run out and grab some cheap studio backdrops right now. It will only take you roughly an hour or so to get it painted if you only plan on doing a couple panels worth. Then grab your favorite model and put him or her in front of it by a few feet, add a light source and snap away. You will have more dynamic photographs in no time, and you can do it all with cheap studio backdrops. Be sure to get photos of your setup, I want to see how creative you get!

Don’t be shy trying new things either. Get all Jackson Paullock like and throw paint at the wall, do strange things like soak tshirts in paint and rub them against the wall to create some pattern etc. Cheap photo backdrops don’t have to look cheap. The end photograph will not look like you used a four dollar drop cloth. Try various textured items like sponges, egg crates, corrugated cardboard and what not to get some interesting lines on the wall. Also try utilizing draped or hanging cloth of light weight and then painting over it directly onto the wall, and let it dry. You can leave the hanging cloth in place or rip it off to create some dynamic texture to the wall.

In the end just experiment, experiment, experiment. Remember its a cheap photography backdrop you can always create more if you screw up on one!

You can also try Ebay for some great cheap studio backdrops. I’ve listed a few auctions below for easy pickings!

AMAZING SPECIAL OFFER DIGITAL BACKDROPS OVER 30 SERIES
US $29.99
End Date: Thursday Dec-04-2008 5:53:26 PST
Buy it now | Add to watch list

30" PHOTO LIGHT TENT SOFT BOX LIGHTING CUBE SOFTBOX
US $23.95
End Date: Thursday Dec-04-2008 8:23:03 PST
Buy it now | Add to watch list

6x9 Poly Canvas Background/Backdrop Pink RFPC69Pk
US $18.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Dec-04-2008 9:10:16 PST
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

6x9 Jet Black Backdrop - New Background
US $18.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Dec-04-2008 9:10:16 PST
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

6x9 Poly Canvas Background/Backdrop Orange RFPC69O
US $18.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Dec-04-2008 9:10:18 PST
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

6x9 Poly Canvas Background/Backdrop Jet Black RFPC69JB
US $18.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Dec-04-2008 9:10:19 PST
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

6x9 Poly Canvas Background/Backdrop Green RFPC69G
US $18.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Dec-04-2008 9:10:22 PST
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

6x9 Poly Canvas Background/Backdrop Brown RFPC69Br
US $18.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Dec-04-2008 9:10:24 PST
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

6x9 Poly Canvas Background/Backdrop Blue RFPC69B
US $18.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Dec-04-2008 9:10:25 PST
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

6x9 Poly Canvas Background/Backdrop Yellow RFPC69Y
US $18.99 (0 Bid)
End Date: Thursday Dec-04-2008 9:10:31 PST
Bid now | Buy it now | Add to watch list

Posted under Photographer Help

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The Patient Photographer Makes Money

Published by hexfire on October 22, 2007

Patience is a virtue. I am not sure how many times i’ve heard that in the past from various people, but it certainly rings true in the photography field in more ways then one. If you haven’t noticed yet, the world of the professional portrait photographer is rapidly going the way of the Dodo, only to be replaced by the ever mediocre home photographer.

Blasphemy you say? Well yes, in a way it is. I would not put myself in the category of “Professional Photographer” by any stretch of the imagination, but I am not an amature photographer either. So what is one to do when trying to reach the coveted title (albeit soon to be obsolete) title of “Professional”? Be patient.

You can make a fairly decent living being mediochre incase you haven’t noticed. While i’m not one to preach inferior design, if you are looking to have a little extra income on the side, being a portrait freelancer is a good idea. There is one caveat however, and that is you much exude a tremendous amount of patience.

Patience to wait for a particular shot. Patience to build up your client base. Patience to wait on models that aren’t quite as knowledgeable as you’d like them to be about modeling. Patience on getting notoriety.

Fame and fortune do not happen overnight, short of winning the lottery. To be semi successful in photography pick something you love and focus on that. For instance if you love photographing products for magazines, photograph a ton of content and keep at it. Have some patience and stubbornness and you will start getting more paying gigs.

Patience is the key though. Start stockpiling it! The patient photographer wins.

Posted under Photographer Help

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Buy This Book

Published by hexfire on October 19, 2007

If you enjoy photographers that live like rockstars I highly suggest you check out this awesome book from Scott Church. His work speaks for itself of course, but I will certainly add my two cents in and say it definitely rocks.

Scott Church has also been offering hands on tutorial sessions lately, and I highly advise anyone interested in learning more about photography to attend one.

He’s releasing a new book this month, which i’ve linked below. It is without question a coffee table book worth reading and putting out on the table for others to view and read!