Studio Photogs.... I need help!

[HPS3]

I have a friend who recently had a baby and asked if I would take some pictures. I will be doing this as a favor and learning experience. I have props (I have 2 little girs) and lighting but I need a small backdrop. I have a black thick sheet to use as a muslin but I'm looking for something like a wallpaper or old world look(earth tones). I'd like to keep it under $100. Any recommendations?

 

[HPS3]

What material?

 

[handicap18]

If your taking pictures of a newborn, then you don't need a whole lot. A nice blanket (pink for girls, blue for boys) is perfectly fine. I used a regular sized black towel to get a nice shot of my niece on my BIL's arm.

If you can get a boppie to prop the baby up on his/her stomach that will help. Just put the blanket over it.

I also did a few with some white towels in a small basket that came out nice.

 

[wbeem]

You could go a different direction. Shoot on white seamless, find a photo background that you like, and composite the subjects on it. That should fit within your budget.

Another option is to rent a backdrop. FJ Westcott has some rentals, as do other vendors. Here's a blog post from Terry White on the issue:

http://terrywhite.com/techblog/tired-backgrounds-scenes/

 

[HPS3]

Hey William, thanks for that idea. I just got CS5, so I'll have to learn how to switch backgrounds. Can that be done in CS5?

 

[wbeem]

Hey William, thanks for that idea. I just got CS5, so I'll have to learn how to switch backgrounds. Can that be done in CS5?

Yes, and CS5 does a lot to help make it easier with the Refine Edge tool in masking. Do a search on Refine Edge in Photoshop CS5 and you should find some tutorials to give you the idea.

If you have specific questions, let us know here and we can help.

 

[photo_chick]

If you use a background material make sure you have a steamer for fabrics that wrinkle. If you use paper make sure it's not creased or crinkled. Those are the two biggest giveaways that you're not experienced. And it's a major pain to photoshop those things out well, especially if it's got a pattern. It's faster just to be wrinkle free from the start. This is why I lean to knits, velour, fleece, and other non-wrinkly fabric. I never, ever use muslin.


Old world wallpaper... look at curtains or go to the fabric store and find what you need. You don't have to spend a lot on backgrounds. Any fabric can be made to work. $20 worth of PVC pipe and joints can make a stand. But a stand isn't even necessary. I've used chair backs to clip the fabric to, and I'm always using the blinds in my dining room to clip fabric to. You can even use push pins if you have a wall you don't mind putting holes in (a friend of mine has a cork board wall in her studio for this purpose). Another good fabric holder can be a sofa. Some are better suited than others. Also, a tall headboard can work well. There's lots of no cost options if you need to MacGyver something up.

 

[HPS3]

Thanks Danielle. I was thinking of using my bed(tall headboard),sofa and bean bag.

 

[Twoboysnmygirl]

I avoid black only because I think the lighting is harder to nail with black and tends to give the baby a red hue if you don't get it right. I usually use light colors, but like everyone has said, you can get all sorts of fabric because you are working with such a small space with newborns. Don't wait too long, they sleep more in the first couple weeks and I found after about 3 weeks, it's hard to get them to sleep in any of the shots!

 

[HPS3]

Karen, thanks for the tips. My friends daughter turned 1 week today.