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Backdrop Basics - by DeeinNJ
(2005)OK, Diorama Divas, today’s discussion is Backdrop Basics.
I am always hunting for ways to add a bit of pizzazz to a photo or display, while sometimes, I just want a simple background so it won’t detract from my gal’s fabulous duds. I’m going to discuss a few options to show off your dolls in creative ways! I am sure many of you already use some of these methods, but others may be saying, “I don’t have room” or “I don’t have time” or “I can’t take a photo to save my life.”
First of all, I have no photography experience. All of my photos are just point and shoot. No fancy lenses, filters, tricks or lighting. I do some color correcting and cropping in Photoshop, but that’s about all. Secondly, I shoot all of my photos during the day on the coffee table in my livingroom while my one-year-old is napping. That means I set everything up, take the photos and put everything away in less than two hours (and still manage to wolf down some lunch!). I store everything away when I’m not using it, so don’t talk to me about room and time! Give it a try.
I use these techniques mostly for photographing my dolls, but you can also adapt them for displays if you are lucky enough to have display space. Here we go...
1) The box the doll came in - use the printed box insert as a backdrop behind your doll. After you photograph, just crop out the box edges in your photo editing software and you’re in business. You can leave the box intact and it stands up on its own, or flatten it out for a wider backdrop. A coordinating piece of paper is a good choice for flooring. To cut the glare on glossy coated cardboard, spray it with a Matte Sealer. Most of the time, the doll will cover any holes in the liner from the twist ties, etc. If any show, you can also touch these up in your photo editing software.
At left , Spa Getaway is vacationing in front of the box liner from Exotic Beauty.
2) SCIENCE PROJECT DISPLAY BOARDS - not just for pinning up dead bugs, these tri-fold project boards come in different colors and stand up all by themselves. For simple, solid color ackgrounds, use one with just your doll, or add a few props like a chair or folding screen. Sometimes, simple is simply elegant!
3) FABRIC - cut one of those science project display boards in half horizontally to shorten it up, then drape a yard or half yard of fabric over the top of it. The fabric can cascade like or curtain, or be smoothed flat if you just want a solid or printed fabric as your backdrop. You can switch fabrics easily as you take different photos. Why not part two pieces of fabric with a tie-back and make it look like curtains and tape a scene in the middle. Buy Hermafix was/glue roller at the craft store. Just roll the wax onto the back of your scene and it will stick on your display board, however, it comes right off when you are done. Change backdrops as often as you like!
Here’s a photo of Vanessa you may remember. I created this “window” by draping fabric over the top of a standing structure and stuck a scene in between to create the window. Although I didn’t use a display board here, the idea is the same.
4) ARTIST’S CANVAS - It’s sturdy, white and has a bit of texture, buy a couple of big ones at a craft store (a great way to use up those 40% off coupons!). Use one for the backdrop and one for the floor. If anyone saw the great FR photos in the current issue of FDQ, then you can see how a simple white canvas backdrop can look totally wowee! It’s like a mini photo studio!
5) ROLLS OF POSTER BOARD OR POSTER PAPER - Keep large pieces of poster board, poster paper or press sheets rolled up. When you want to use them as part of your backdrop, just stand them up in front of your tri-fold board for some color and dimension. Use one, two or three depending on the look you want.
Silver Society makes her entrance amid towers of red poster paper and marbleized scrapbook paper flooring in front of a white tri-fold board. Who would know her world was made of paper?!
6) HEATER GRATING - Stop by the home improvement store and pick up some decorative heater grating in different designs or finishes. Lean it up against your tri-fold board for an interesting backdrop. Spray paint it to achieve a modern, vintage or exotic look.
Here, Vanessa relaxes in her Bratz egg chair with a piece of silver grating leaned into the corner of the tri-fold board.
7) FOAM CORE BOARD - this is great if you want to do room displays for your shelves at home in addition to taking photos. You can cut it with a craft knife to whatever size you want and score the back to make it fold into a room shape/tri-fold. Affix decorative scrapbook paper, wallpaper or fabric to it and you’ve created a little room for your gals. If also can fold up for storage.
Haute Lux poses in front of this room made of foam core board and dollhouse wallpaper.
8) THE SILKSTONE WARDROBE TRUNK - You’ve probably seen lots of beautiful photos of dolls displayed in front of the Silkstone wardrobe trunk. Open it up and display your dolls. It can be used as a bedroom, a boutique or a dressing room. Too cute! However, you can also use the outside of the case, as well, as a nice backdrop or addition to a scene.
In this Spa photo from last week, the brass plate on the wall is actually attached to the front of the Silkstone Wardrobe Trunk. Who knew? It makes a posh addition to this shot.
9) SCRAPBOOK PAPER - There are so many great scenic patterns and most come in 12 x 12 size. Use the Hermafix to adhere it to the tri-fold board and transport your dolly anywhere. I usually buy two of the same pattern and tape them together to extend the image to get a little bit more height. Scrapbook paper also comes in stucco textures, brick, marble, etc. so use it for flooring or for covering furniture, etc. It is very realistic.
Traveller by Nature travels to Hawaii and relaxes amid the scrapbook palms.
10) SURF THE NET - do an internet search for a photo of whatever backdrop you might like. You’d be surprised what you can find. Then, download the image and blow it up on your computer, then print it out at “backdrop” size. It doesn’t really matter if it’s a sharp image, your doll is supposed to be the focus, right?! I usually output images at 14 “ high by 22 inches wide (using two 11 x 17” pieces of paper - be sure to duplicate a portion of the image on the edge of the paper to allow for overlap or the image won’t meet up correctly). Then, tape the two pieces together to make a wider backdrop. If you just need a tall backdrop, one piece will do. You will have to manipulate the output size in a layout or photo program, then copy your images onto a disc and take them to a copy center to output, but if you do a bunch at one-time, they you will have a few to work with for a while. If you have a color printer that prints 11 x 17” paper - then... lucky you!
Here is a photo of a train platform I output on 2 pieces of paper and taped them together.
11) MINIATURES - check out the miniature/hobby store for flooring made for dollhouses. Brick, tile, flagstone, wood, etc. can be used as floors for your dolls and also as backdrops. Scrapbook paper in these prints works well for this, too.
Natalia poses in front of sheet of white tile made for dollhouses. This would also be great for a spa or pool scene.
12) MAGAZINE PHOTOS - Tear out pics from magazines, scan and blow them up on your computer as described above. If you don’t have the means to do that, just tack them up and add some curtains to make a window scene, or cut an archway out of foamcore and put your interior scene behind the arch for a dimensional look into another room. Use the matte spray sealer to cut the glare. I made this fireplace by scanning a pic on my computer and cropping in on the fireplace, then I glued it to black cardboard to make it sturdy and create a mantle. It looks very real and cost pennies to make.
13) REAL PLACES - Take your doll to the beach, pool, garden, etc. and shoot some beautiful backgrounds “on location!”
14) ROOM WITH A VIEW - Lastly, is Bella Production’s Room with a View. This is a fold-up stage set that has shadow-striped gold fabric on one side and a brick fabric on the other. It is made of metal so you can use magnets to keep artwork, curtains, sconces, etc. on the walls and it comes with magnetic baseboards & crown moulding plus other stuff. Since this article is already lengthy, we will, in a future discussion, cover this prop in more detail.
