I’m putting together a provisional (cheap & quick) studio setup, to get on with photographing ceramics & sculpture in the first instance but the option to reuse for portrait work would be a plus.

What should I look at in terms of backdrops? Are the cheap ones from amazon viable? There is a good haberdashery locally who have rolls of fabric - what should I look for if I enquire there?

I’m a competent DIYer but want to avoid false economies and, if poss, too much redundant kit when I upgrade. I also need to crack on with it asap!

What is your advice?

  • Tangerine Twist
    3·
    9 天前

    All of my props and backdrops came from thrift shops, close-out sales. Most of them are unique and intricate fabrics or bedsheets; the plain white is my go-to for people or objects (it still has the mark from an old hospital that closed down).

    • I hung a bedsheet over paracord tied to two coat racks. This works very well but the challenge is keeping the sheets wrinkle-free. Enter iron.

    • folding screen that I got at thrift store was reproduced by a friend using louvered closet doors she purchased at a hardware store.

    • I also used the biggest 3M reusable wall hook and used a cheap tension rod to hold a bedsheet.

    • have a look at an Ikea catalog for ideas as well. I purchased their big aluminum (i think) hooks and screwed them on the wall to hang seasonal props and bunting.

    EDIT: Craft and Fabric stores are always advertising sales. If you have time, check out their fabric-by-the yard sale or pre-primed canvas. The canvas can be double purpose: backdrop and create artwork. I have several: propped on an easel, leaning on a wall, etc. It’s lightweight enough to be portable if you don’t frame it. Have fun!

      • Tangerine Twist
        5·
        9 天前

        I have a combination of:

        • (borrowed) softbox lighting kit by Torjim: the portable and lightweight one, for when I need to move around depending on what I’m taking a photo of (my uncle is the real photographer, I’m just a hobbyist).

        • all my lighting is from Ikea: the backlight is a reading lamp (i think), same with the other two lamps (swivel). I chose them because of the base (tripod, adjustable) and weight.

        -my old foam core is from Staples and when JoAnn was closing their stores, I bought more foam core there

        • umbrella is from goodwill

        • the white paper from my light box came from Ikea (kids’ drawing paper roll)

        • translucent plastic sheet, plexiglass from hardware store

        • all of my equipment is DIY that I learned from school or my uncle.

        • we also used a lot of clamps, clamp lights and binder clips, foil sheets from craft store (only if it’s on sale) and my uncle cut up a car sunshade once for his soft box

        • cardboard from grocery store and liquor stores (free)

        • my uncle has used a combo of white bowls, milk glass, cookie sheets as a reflector piece; my mom’s silicone funnel as a flash diffuser (she’s still mad at him) which is better than paper

        • if you can get your hands on vellum, they’re quite useful, too

        We try to be frugal so we can spend the money on lenses.

        • DominusOfMegadeus@sh.itjust.works
          3·
          8 天前

          Expensive equipment does not make someone either a photographer, or professional. Remember, Ansel Adams did not have 103 megapixel full frame Leica.