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Friday

Tutorial: Backdrops

As you know, I tend to use backdrops quite a lot when photographing my BJD's. I find them very useful, especially when the weather isn't it's best and having the ability to sit on a chair to photograph my dolls at eyelevel instead of getting down on the ground is definitely an advantage to someone of my age!

I generally use a clothes rack behind my kitchen table (but a card table works just as well). Then I pop the top of the backdrop over the clothes rack and hold it in place on the bar with Bluetac and lay the remaining backdrop on the table.

However, today I am using my bookcase behind my ironing board!

As you can see, there's nothing fancy used here, I try and keep things as simple as I can and use things I have on hand.

The rack folds up out of the way when I'm not using it and the backdrops are rolled up together and stored in a PVC tube (we had some left after bathroom renovations).

WHATEVER YOU DO, DON'T FOLD THEM. You can iron them on the back side if they wrinkle a bit, but if they have been folded they stretch slightly on the fold line and don't iron completely flat.

I don't have a steady hand, so I always use a tripod. If you need more tips on how to photograph your dolls, drop by HERE, it's a lovely blog and Martha shares some very easy to follow tips that have certainly been a great help to me.


My finished photo with Bon Bon, Truffles and Gum Drop showing off their new pants! I'm pretty pleased with the way this one turned out, as I photographed it RAW and used my photo editing programme to crop etc., before bringing it down to 1000 pixels wide / 72dpi. If you would like to see it at 1000 pixels, just click on the photo.


Taken the same way (RAW), with a different backdrop and edited with a different programme. So I don't think the editing makes as much difference as actually shooting using the RAW format. Love to hear your thoughts, how do you take your photos?

Have a great weekend!
Hugs,
X

12 comments:

  1. Hello Sandy,
    Your pictures are always great and the backdrops really add a lot of life to them. That and the fact that you have a wonderful collection of dolls.
    Big hug,
    Giac

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Giac! However, I still think there is room for improvement with the photography.
      Hugs,
      X

      Delete
  2. That's a great photo as ending result of your efforts! Thanks for showing us some back stage photos and tps, very useful !
    It's finally firday, I hope you have a great weekend :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Alejandra,
      You are welcome, can't say it's perfect, but if what I do helps someone else, all the better. :)
      Hugs,
      X

      Delete
  3. Thank you for the tips! I have been working on trying to set up a little "indoor studio" and I love how simple you made it seem :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Farrah Lily,
      I also meant to mention, that in both situations, I had a window with natural daylight behind me when taking the shots. I found that overcame the shadow problems that I have had in the past. Let me know how you get on.
      Hugs,
      X

      Delete
  4. The backdrops are so lovely! <3
    Your photos are a pleasure to look at, I like the clothes and the poses of the dolls a lot. : D This post was very helpful, it makes me want to try something like that. ^w^
    Have a nice day!

    ~Uraru

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Uraru, I am still learning and so pleased you like them. I think posing dolls with props makes them seem more real and at the very least more interesting to look at. :)
      Hugs,
      x

      Delete
  5. I like this scene. What were the backdrops originally? Were they purchased as backdrops? I think the pants are do adorable on their little chubby legs! Their complete outfits are just adorable and well made.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi grandmommy,
      They are professional doll backdrops purchased from http://www.raihing.com he has heaps to choose from and they are reasonably priced.
      Hugs,
      X

      Delete
  6. The resulting photos are lovely!

    What type of fabric are your backdrops printed on?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you JS, I'm not really sure, not having printed them myself. I purchase all my backdrops from RaiHing in China.
      Hugs,
      x

      Delete

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