First Practice shot!!!!!

Corry · Feb 8, 2005

Here's my first practice with the backdrop!!!!!!

Still working on getting the lighting right, but I'll get there!

Alison · Feb 8, 2005

That looks GREAT! How did you end up setting everything up? I like your choice of background colors, what did you use?

Corry · Feb 8, 2005

Well, I used the natural light coming in from the L. room window, and the two shop lights I already had, only I had one on the backdrop, and one pointed into a reflector (the reflector is a shiny silver thing that you put in your windshield to keep your car from getting hot)...but I'm gonna do something different for the reflector...I'm going to use white posterboard...I'll pick it up when I go to work tommorrow.

Corry · Feb 8, 2005

Oh...and for the background I used muslin and dyed it with Rit...made my own color cuz they don't have a dark gray...it still didn't turn out as dark as I wanted it, but I like it anyway.

terri · Feb 8, 2005

Looks awesome. You did a great job with that backdrop, now it's uniquely yours!!

Your cat is the most cooperative little kitty I've ever seen. She really likes whatever it is you're holding over her head, you're good at keeping her interested! :thumbup:

Corry · Feb 8, 2005

terri said:
Looks awesome. You did a great job with that backdrop, now it's uniquely yours!!

Your cat is the most cooperative little kitty I've ever seen. She really likes whatever it is you're holding over her head, you're good at keeping her interested! :thumbup:

Cooperative? MY cat?? HA! Nope...she wasn't on that stool for long. My boyfriend was holding a fishing pole style cat toy over her head...a second or two after I snapped this, she jumped!

I have tried doing my little photoshoots with her on my own, but it doesn't work. She loves Erik...she does things for him..but for me she does the opposite of what I want!

terri · Feb 8, 2005

but for me she does the opposite of what I want!

Now that sounds more like MY cat!! :lol:

Unless she's practically asleep, I've gotten no photos of her!

Corry · Feb 8, 2005

Ok...here's one with a human subject. My boyfriend!

No critiqueing the pose, cuz I wasn't posing him...just testing the lighting...can't wait to test it after using the posterboard instead of the shiny reflector.

Alison · Feb 8, 2005

Can I just say again that I love that backdrop? You did an awesome job. I think your lighting will work well, too and that the posterboard will give a softer look. Awesome, Corry :thumbsup:

Corry · Feb 8, 2005

Thanks Alison!

I was worried about how it would turn out...I wanted a dark gray, but Rit doesn't make a dark gray...plus I didn't want it a solid color, but I'd never dyed fabric before, so I was just really nervous about it!

I think I'm gonna like it though! And the best part is...it's about a $38 backdrop including the dye...all the backgrounds I found on the internet were at least $300!

raider · Feb 9, 2005

lighting's a bit harsh - use a diffuser?

Canon Fan · Feb 9, 2005

Hey I have those same socks :lmao:

Looks good! Now you have me thinking about making some "homemade" backdrops :mrgreen: The wife will love this :blushing:

Big Mike · Feb 9, 2005

I have those socks too

Really well done with the backdrop Corry...good job. You have me wanting to make one now. I work for an industrial fabric company so you would think I could rig something up.

Corry · Feb 9, 2005

Canon Fan said:
Hey I have those same socks :lmao:

Looks good! Now you have me thinking about making some "homemade" backdrops :mrgreen: The wife will love this :blushing:

I can tell you exactly how I did it!!! I went to JoAnne Fabrics and got 10x20' of bleached muslin...it was about $30. Then, also at JoAnne's, I got 4 $1.99 packages of Rit Fabric Dye...two pearl grey, and two black...only ended up using one of the black ones though...We used a large plastic trash can (never been used, obviously!) to dye it in, and I did not stir it constantly, like it said to do, because I didn't want a uniform color. And that was basically it. Oh...to hang it...I used two curtain hangers things...those hook type things that kinda swoop down in a J shape, and a 12' fir handrail from Menards (about $12 for it!)...I sewed a loop in one of the 10' lengths of the fabric so I could just slide it onto the handrail and set the handrail on top of the J hooks...when I get a chance I'll try and take a picture of it all and post it up...just waaaay to busy right now!

terri · Feb 9, 2005

You're doing great! Love the backdrop idea, and you saved yourself tons of $$. Nothing better than having a DIY idea that actually works. :thumbup:

So far your lighting looks really good, too, maybe just getting a tad harsh midway down (shoulder and forearm). But since you're going to change reflectors, you're definitely moving in the right direction!