The art of photography is unique, personal and technical. These three attributes must stand above the rest in order to compete in today’s crowded marketplace. For studio work such as portraiture and/or large/small object photography a variety of photographic backdrops/backgrounds is required.
Here’s a look at a “usual” studio setup with fabric draped over a rod.
Boring, eh? Well, maybe not boring because there can be great variety in the fabric used and in the way in which it is lighted. The problem is, however, that EVERYBODY IS DOING THE SAME THING.
How’s this for an alternative?
For photographers who are looking for cheap/affordable and “easy” backdrops, here is an interesting concept and certainly a great idea. TIN TILES! Yes, tin tiles, the same kind of tin ceiling tiles that can be used in decorative ceilings, back splashes and/or wainscoting in your home.
Photographers need a variety of unique backdrops (photographic and photogenic backgrounds), to stand out from the crowd. There is a vast array of tin (and other) ceiling tiles that certainly lend themselves well to fulfilling that purpose. A great place to browse and purchase these items online is at Decorative Ceiling Tiles. Here’s a page that describes affordable photography backdrops – or, just click one of the DecorativeCeilingTiles ads on this page. They have a great selection, inexpensive pricing and quick delivery.
You can select a design (or several designs) and order enough tiles to cover a portion of a studio wall. You can also make some inexpensive panels with some 4×8 sheets of plywood from your local building supply store.
Now, just imagine the possibilities with just one design. You can flat-light with a flood to show the subtleties of texture, or edge-light with a spot to make the design and texture “snap” in full relief. You can use all white tin tiles and “color” them with the appropriate gels over your light source(s). Or you can mix-n-match those three techniques to provide just the effect that YOUR artistic eye demands.
To learn more be sure to watch this video: Making Your Own Photo Background.
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