Homemade muslin backdrops

idiotabroadidiotabroad Registered Users Posts: 246 Major grins
edited October 1, 2011 in Accessories
Good idea or bad? Read an article on taking the muslin and using it like a tie dry kit. One color only of course and a dark one at that. I have a couple "real" backdrops but instead of shelling out lots of cash for a couple more I was thinking about being a cheap skate and opting for the 30$ diy. If this is a good idea does anyone have tips or tricks?
Mark

If you don't agree with me then your wrong.
I can't be held accountable for what I say, I'm bipolar.

Comments

  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited October 1, 2011
    The basic process is tried and true. It's very messy and a little time consuming. If you have basic artistic talents you can produce interesting results. Explore tie dye sites for inspiration and tips and you should be OK.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • idiotabroadidiotabroad Registered Users Posts: 246 Major grins
    edited October 1, 2011
    Thanks Zig
    Mark

    If you don't agree with me then your wrong.
    I can't be held accountable for what I say, I'm bipolar.
  • Art ScottArt Scott Registered Users Posts: 8,959 Major grins
    edited October 1, 2011
    I have made several 10'x24' Muslins......I bought good theatrical backdrop muslin.....and I was a cheap skate and used govt. surplus blk paint (under $10/gal)... stretched flat on portch and rolled the blk paint on.......cost of muslin was ~ ~ $3 / running yard (24' = 8yrds x 3 =$24+ tax.... + paint 2 gal. x$10= $20....grand total investment $44 + tax + the time to paint let dry.....then clean up porch.....would I do it again...NO, NOT for standard solid color backdrop....for a custom won't find anywhere else....maybe.....there are places taht will airbrush backdrops so cheap that it is mind boggling and I got one and it was very good quality and about 1/4 the weight of my home made ones......paint is heavy, dye is better,,,,Roscos super dye/paints are best...as they can be rolled, brushed or daubed on ... ... ... and if you are going to do this find a college that has a movable paint rail so that you can lower the backdrop and paint from the top down standing on the floor and not have to use ladders....also suggest using a pump garden sprayer to spray starch on it to...stretch the back drop using el-cheapo spray starch to stretch it taught for painting........You might even be able to talk a Professsor into having a Theater Tech student paint it for part of a practicum credit....and very small fee for the student........

    Price it all out first including your time, I think you will find it cheaper to buy off ebay or other places on the net.....I have blk, white and a painted mottled grey that all cost me less than $50 total off ebay and all were brand new......and the painted rose one was a whole $30 used, but it looked like new ... ... all back drops are 10x20'
    "Genuine Fractals was, is and will always be the best solution for enlarging digital photos." ....Vincent Versace ... ... COPYRIGHT YOUR WORK ONLINE ... ... My Website

  • idiotabroadidiotabroad Registered Users Posts: 246 Major grins
    edited October 1, 2011
    This will either be and EPIC win or EPIC fail. I will post updates as it goes along. @ Art, I pay my help in liquid courage so this project will get interesting. At worse we all will be going to work on Monday with dye and/or paint still stuck on.
    Mark

    If you don't agree with me then your wrong.
    I can't be held accountable for what I say, I'm bipolar.
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