Proper Props

My studio stuck for a want of a proper backdrop system, just not getting the time. This is in a way good – it simply means that I have more work which means more money which means a better camera sooner….

Wait a min – I do not get paid for working anyways 🙁

A backdrop did not prevent me from having a photo shoot however – this time it was using available light and experiments with shallow DoF, this(NWS) was the result, I would have really liked the picture to be in color with the vase being in one of the primary colors but in this case the vase was almost the same as the model’s skin tone.

Aasim already knows at least 2 things better than me

#1 Flying kites
#2 Playing tabla and identifying the taals

Makes me feel proud – Guess we are still doing pretty well as parents 🙂

  • i faced the same issue i.e. setting up a background for the home studio. i solved it by using a large (7ft by 30ft) roll of paper. i spool one end on a wooden rod that i suspend from the roof. the other end spools to a rod on the floor, about 10 ft. in front of the first one. this creates a seamless backdrop system, and if it gets dirty, just pull in more paper. make sure you get thick paper, though. Otherwise, you can’t do highkey portraits or use backlighting.

    • Where did you get the paper from?

      I have been thinking on the same lines, having multiple curtain rods with cloth and paper spools.

      • In bangalore, you can get it in chickpet. i’ve had some luck using cotton cloth. Just make sure that you lightly starch the cloth so that it doesn’t dimple. Canvas cloth is perfect if you can get it. satin or silk is great if you wnat to work the wrinkles and the creases into the shot. A satin background, combined with some color gels, will get a you great background.

        • Inspired by your description I sought to see some results you might have had with your set up of Satin with Gels – but could not find any a your site (or may be did not look long enough) would be pleased if you could share some of those….

  • I was always a bad child for my parents.

    My mom enrolled me for carnatic music classes when I was in 2nd grade and I used to bunk the classes to play marbles with my friends. When my mom went to pay fees for the second month, she was shocked to know that there was no pradeep in the rolls at the class. ;/