Photography Backgrounds – 6 Steps to Make Your Own
Photography Backgrounds – 6 Steps to Make Your Own
Getting setup is sometimes the most difficult part of starting out in the photo biz. Besides the camera and lenses, most photographers have to purchase lighting, computers and software, along with a host of other equipment to get there business going. Of course, our photography business package teaches you how to save money when starting out, but here’s one more way to save on equipment.
Photography backgrounds for portraits and other shoots can cost upwards of $200 each. Most studios have 10 or more of these important tools. That’s $2000 just for backgrounds. With a little DIY work though, you can have those same backgrounds for around $20 each.
What you’ll need for Your Photography Backgrounds
Before you get started, you will need the following materials to make your background:
1. 9 x 12 sheet of Muslin Fabric (the heavy canvas-like fabric)
2. 1 Roll of Bailer’s Twine (available from the hardware store)
3. Fabric Dye in the Color(s) you want
4. A container, such as a tote, that can hold about 18 gallons
Photography Backgrounds – Make Your Own in 6 Steps
When you look at most photography backgrounds all they really are is a canvas blanket. With the exception of pictured backgrounds they really are just dyed canvas with one or more colors in them. Making your own is as simple as getting the canvas and dying it.
Here are the steps to follow:
1. Wash the fabric in you washer and leave it damp.
2. Lay the fabric out and begin bunching it in handfuls. Tie the handful of fabric up into a ball. This is creating a pattern so that you don’t dye the sheet all one color.
3. When you’re done bunching and tying, roll the fabric in on itself to create a ball. Be sure to leave some of the tied handfuls out, and put the others inside the roll. Tie the whole ball tightly and place it in the tote.
4. Prepare the dye as per the manufacturer’s directions. Most dyes will require boiling in a large pot of water.
5. Pour the dye into the tote and mix the ball around in the dye with a broomstick (or other object that will allow you to move it without dying your hands). The longer you leave the fabric in the tote the darker, and more patterned the background will become.
6. When you’re finished cut the twine. Unroll the background and lay it out to dry. For some background stands you may need to cut the fabric to fit. If necessary do this after the fabric is dried.
With your new background dyed, dried, and cut - you’re ready to use it. If you want to create a multicoloured effect simply repeat the whole process again with a different color dye.
In one hour, and at a cost of around $20, you have just made your own photography background. Try this same process to create other colors and effects. This simple DIY routine can save you thousands on the cost of backdrops for your studio.
