|
|
Hints for Using Pre-printed Backdrops
Hi again, everyone!Today’s discussion will focus on the Fashion Royalty Tri-fold backdrops recently offered by the W Club. Some of you may have one or both or you may have seen them for sale on this board or ebay. Although this is a brief discussion, I felt it might be helpful for use with these or other backdrops you might print off your computer or tear from magazines.
Now, if you knew how crazy my life has been lately and all that’s been going on, you’d understand why this is a brief discussion with mediocre photos… but I won’t bore you with the details… on to doll stuff!
My critique of these backdrops is as follows.
Both are a bit too short since the FR dolls recently have grown to Amazon stature. Even with standard-size dolls, the backdrops are a bit short. However, I believe they were sized to this height because they were made to fit a standard bookshelf where many collectors display their dolls. Therefore, they will not be too tall to fit in with one’s displays if that’s what you have in mind.
Also, it can be tricky when using the backdrops in photography to adjust the angle of the sides correctly so the glare and fold lines are minimal. Because I took my photos relatively quickly, I didn’t have time to play around with it, but if you had more time, you could certainly ensure your lighting was just right for the best results.
The theater backdrop is very nice, but the check floor does make it difficult to match the flooring for those picky collectors like myself. I really like the look of this backdrop and believe it very useful.
The Coffee in Krakow backdrop, however, puzzles me. Why would I want to display a doll where, when she is standing in front of it, it appears as if she is standing on tables? When you get a look at the Krakow backdrop below, you will notice this. Otherwise, I like the mood of this backdrop.
Anyhow, to solve some of these issues, I scrounged through my pile of not-to-be-discarded doll boxes and found that the black inserts from the Loft Collection Bed and Chaise work well to elevate the backdrops, serving as steps to add some height when displaying or photographing your dolls. I also used a piece of checkered contact paper set on an angle to try to match the flooring of the theater set.
If you don’t have these boxes, you can use lids to gift boxes that you spray paint, or you can buy black photo boxes and piece the lids together to make steps. Or, if you are handy, make some steps from marble contact paper and those tiered spice racks or just craft something from scratch. The point is to get some elevation with pieces that look OK when you stick them under the backdrop.
If you want even more elevation, add two boxes or make multiple steps.
Here is a full-length shot of the photo at the beginning of this feature showing one step and checker floor. With more than one step, I get enough elevation that I feel the proportions are correct. Even for close-ups, you want what is showing in the background to be at the right height.
You can also add some props. Here I added a urn and used two steps.
The Krakow backdrop, as I mentioned is a bit more tricky. See how you just have tables spilling off the bottom of the backdrop. I decided to use a marble floor for this one (sheets of printed/coated scrapbook paper). Then I elevated the backdrop one step.
If you add some props (here an urn and a piano), it helps disguise the funky table problem and it seems more like a patio entrance where you might walk down the steps outside to get to the table, so seeing the table tops doesn’t seem as strange.
And here it is with a doll (sorry about the poor photo/glare here – I was rushin’ – no, not Russian, I know Krakow is in Poland).
But, what really works well is to cover up the entire bottom portion of the backdrop altogether. I turned that other Loft Collection insert on edge to make a ledge or low wall. Then, I put some props on top of it.
Now, I just used a cheesy cardboard box, but you could make a nice divider from wood or foamcore, or if you have a long piece of furniture or something, that would work nice, use that. Be creative!
For close-ups, these backdrops work very nicely. I love this photo of Lush. If you passed on this backdrop… think again! But, even for this close-up, I still had the step underneath of it to elevate the photo a bit.
Remember, any time you have a backdrop, whether a poster, magazine pics or whatever, where the bottom is not quite right, just create a wall or crowd in some props and no one will ever notice!
OK – hope you enjoyed this discussion and that it provided some helpful hints.
Til next time,
DeeinNJ
