Equipment Back drops for photos

I read the most genius idea from one of Phoenix Dolls' posts - using a TV and some images you can get some really convincing backdrops for your photos! I haven't touched a TV in years and have no idea how they'd work, but I imagine with the help of Google one could figure out how to get images on their TV ;0 I imagine if you have a smaller doll you might be able to get away with a tablet if the screen's high quality enough

 

If you're looking for backdrops for tiny dolls, scrapbook paper works well! wrapping paper can also work! I also use fabric.

 

You can find a pretty good variety of backdrops on eBay and Etsy by searching "BJD backdrop" + the scale you need. There are also some scrapbook papers (like from a Michael's or similar craft store) that look like they would work, things like wood or brick patterns.

I might be way off, but don't screens photograph kind of strangely? Whenever I try to take a picture of a screen, it ends up covered in lines, I believe from the type of light in the screen plus possibly my type of camera. If this does work with a different camera though that is... Like... Game-changer!

 

What scale are you looking for? If it's for a Pukipuki(?) like the one in your profile picture, you might have some luck with nature magazines or coffee table books...

Edit: would something like this work? Endor Forest Custom Star Wars Photo Backdrop Display for Hasbro Kenner | eBay

Another idea would be to find some photos you like that aren't copyrighted (search royalty-free photos) and order a large matte print off an online photo service like Shutterfly.

 

I like these from eBay. Very wide variety and they arrive rolled. for 12" and 1/3 size
iwindland | eBay Stores
for the smaller ones, 12" or less, these are pretty good. Comes flat, so will need to be ironed.
Photography Backgrounds for Barbie and 12" Fashion Doll Photography
wizard by deb, on Flickr
Great ideas above! Calendars work, too, for the tinys.
You can also use fabric in yards, draped over a cardboard or project board for larger dolls. You can always paint your own on butcher paper or some other paper.

 

I have a light box and bought some of the backdrops from Ebay. I love the wide variety available. Even though it doesn't fit perfectly,I just install the plain white backdrop, then fold under the edges of the Ebay backdrop and use clothes pins to attach hold down the folded edges and attach it to the plain backdrop. Maybe that makes sense...still drinking my first coffee today...

 

Scrapbook paper yes and scrapbook size photo prints also.
My dolls are predominantly 1/4 size so I largely use 12x12 prints
for portraiture. I have poster size prints made for full length
photography. 20" x 30" poster prints from Costco are $10 so
while not pocket change are definitely affordable. You can even
photoshop them to give you a fantasy look. Here's my elf girl in
a forest glade which is a poster print.

Crystal in glen by Tom Beach, on Flickr

I'd look again on eBay for BJD doll backgrounds as they actually
come in an amazing variety; indoors, outdoors, urban, forest, fantasy....

Here is a library background which is sized for 1/4 size dolls.
Not boring at all.

Look what I found by Tom Beach, on Flickr

but you can also get photo studio backgrounds. I recently got
a couple along with a studio background support.

This was taken against a 3' x 3' photo studio background from
fabbackgrounds. it's vinyl but you can also get cloth. This is better
for larger dolls.

Posing challenge by Tom Beach, on Flickr

Finally, You can photograph your dolls in front of a plane
background and use your photo editor to composite them
into any of your photos. Here's my Kyle composited into
a shot from an Arizona desert.

Kyle's Dream - 1 by Tom Beach, on Flickr

 

Finally, ditch the light box. It's great for catalog
images if you're selling craft goods. The whole
idea of light boxes is to give even, shadowless
light while good portrait photography is all about
managing the shadows on your subject.

Sophia by Tom Beach, on Flickr

The background here is an old masters portrait
background printed on scronapbook paper but it
could be 8x10 or 8 1/2 x 11.

You only need 2 lights for almost any work;
a key light and a fill light.

WearRed Day by Tom Beach, on Flickr

This is another of my poster print backgrounds.

 

Ouch. That might make poster size prints unaffordable.

I'll poke around a bit. Some outlets for backgrounds, be
they for dolls or for people allow you to upload your own
images to have backgrounds printed from them. Most are
in China so insanely long shipping time. I'll see what I can
find. Watch this space.

 

I've just been at it longer. I rather like those but as your
skill improves you'll want to extend your vision. Working
within the light box will greatly restrict the size of the
background image you can work with and pretty much
eliminates the use of seamless backgrounds.

 

I prefer to use my lightbox, the lights in my home not quality enough to get good pictures without it. I like being able to move around the lamps to create different shadows and effects in the pictures. It would not work for me to just take photos somewhere in my house. The best photos are outside photos without the box but its not always practical in the weather and with kids and pets so my lightbox is probably my favorite doll-related purchase. Even if its dark out I can put a doll in the light box and still get great photos. Personal preference I suppose!

 

Don't feel bad about using your phone as your image capture device.

Today more photos are taken with iPhones than with all other image
capture devices combined. Yes **combined**. More photos with iphones
than with all cameras (and other phone models) combined. You're in
the mainstream. Good images have much more to do with who is
handling the image capture device and much less to do with the image
capture device itself.

 

For years my only light source for my doll photos was a north
facing window; that worked just fine for me. I don't understand
our comment that your regular lights aren't "quality" enough.
Light is light. If your light box is flexible enough to create the
images you want then fine, use it. Whatever works for you is
the right answer for you.