cheap backdrop setup recommendation?

jchin

Can someone recommend a cheap (very cheap) backdrop setup?

I was asked to help a Girl Scout troop shoot some "mommy and me" portraits. I think I need a backdrop setup. What can you recommend? What size?

Since this is a non-paying gig (more like volunteer), I want to spend the least amount of money on making a backdrop setup. I will be selling prints from my smugmug page, so I can make a few dollars there. There would be about 100 kids with their moms.

Thank in advance for the advise.

aj986s

If you are using Photoshop (or similar) consider the option of creating a fake background. Several different ways to extract the subjects from the original photo, and then "place" them over your created background. A simple one-color wall, that contrasts with the clothing/hair, would be the easiest background to faciliate extraction.

Here's one of many links available online: http://www.photoshop-tutorials-plus.com/photoshop-backgrounds.html. You could even create a background using a graphic or logo.

jchin

I definitely don't want to Photoshop 100 sittings.

Cygnus Studios

B&H has a nice 10' x 10' Muslin for $60.00

Plenty big enough for a two or three person set. You can tack it to a wall, or find a temp hanging spot.

leaforte

Cheap for me would be a second hand sheet or large drape, dying it, and working on figuring out my distance/f stop, etc. to pull a nice bokah out of it. Maybe dye it a couple shades lighter than their saches.

And as cheap as it gets, find a nice wall, possibly/probably outdoors, maybe textured, that compliments the uniform and go for it. That is, if they are going to be in uniform.

And don't be concerned if it doesn't look like a pro backdrop...remember that you are volunteering your time. Give them some super shots!

sweet caroline

I use a king size black sheet that I got for about $25 at Target. I spent about $100 on my stand.

Caroline

Flyinggina

I recently used a blue sheet as a backdrop for a portrait shoot. Put the subject 5-6 feet in front of it and used my 70-200.

Virginia

divamum

jchin wrote:

Can someone recommend a cheap (very cheap) backdrop setup?

I was asked to help a Girl Scout troop shoot some "mommy and me" portraits. I think I need a backdrop setup. What can you recommend? What size?

Since this is a non-paying gig (more like volunteer), I want to spend the least amount of money on making a backdrop setup. I will be selling prints from my smugmug page, so I can make a few dollars there. There would be about 100 kids with their moms.

Thank in advance for the advise.

I'm all about low cost...

Go to your local discount store (I'm partial to Burlington Coat Factory and Ross for this, but ymmv locally) and get either a shower curtain or a cheap velvet curtain (or a microsuede one - they make an almost "oil painting" looking backdrop). Shower curtain is shorter, but much wider, so it depends on your specific needs. You can pick these up for well under $25, likely cheaper (and if you go the Goodwill route, cheaper still). You can then stick a shower pole (or curtain pole, or broom handle) through the casing and it's easy to attach that to various different things to hold it - I'm using an old garment rack propped against the wall to which I velcro my curtain/broom handle), but any hooks or suitable height something would work.

I"ve also used a sheet and a tablecloth - as long as you keep your subjects away from it and aren't stopping way down, it should blur out enough that it won't matter as long as it's neutral, clean, and ironed.

Jeremy Winterberg

I'm like Diva, extremely low budget... I hate being a student, but it will all pay off when I'm done... (right? they keep telling me that but for some reason I feel like it wont matter)...

I use 200 thread count king sized bed sheets. $12 at Wally-World. And then I made a DIY backdrop holder out of PVC pipes. $25 at Menard's. Heres a tutorial on how to make it: Studio Lighting - Home Made Cheap DIY Backdrop Stand

It works OK for what I'm doing right now, and like Diva said just watch your F-stop and try to blur out the background so they cant really notice its a sheet. Keep the subjects about 5 feet away or more that will help alot.

ERue

I just bought this set off ebay. They have quite a few buy it nows for about the same price. Comes with the stand and backdrop, so you can use it again later as well.