Backgrounds when photographing ponies? Please show me!

[Gingerbread]

I need to take more pics of my ponies. Really need to.
 
However, I need something pretty to photograph them against. I have been using a sheet or pretty paper, but I want to go beyond that. G4 backcards are just way too small. 
 
I'm thinking of getting a box and painting 'grass' on the bottom, a G1 or G4 themed background (hills, trees etc) on the back, with some fake plants dotted about.
 
I was wondering if anyone has custom backgrounds that they use? If so, can I see a pic please?

[Maniah]

I tend to photograph outside, or against a simple fabric backdrop.. If you get too creative, it can detract from the pony, is how I feel about it.

Whatever you do, keep it simple so your pony stands out

[MSKing]

If you blur the background sufficiently, what's in the background will not be so distracting provided the color isn't too strong.

To blur it out after the picture taking, open it in a graphic editor like Photoshop, use the lasso tool to trace the outline of your pony, invert the selection and then apply a blur filter of whatever strength you need to defocus it. Voila! Your pony is the inevitable focus of your picture because it's the only thing in focus.

[FlyingPonyMonster]

I used a pony blanket but love the idea of making scenery!!!

[Whoa1234]

I use a G3 game board I got at a flea market.
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Not the best shot, but you get the idea.

[Gingerbread]

Thanks everyone

I'm really after making a generic bbackground I can add props too - trees, sets etc, so the focus is on the props as much as the pony. I'll let you all know how I get on

[LilSpark]

If I want landscape I go outside, otherwise I just use different cardboards like water drops, fire, snow, grass, sundown and so on

[ZettaMomo]

I use a llightbox for my photos that I made myself. Then I can put up backgrounds behind it. I have a book of scrapbooking paper that is all plainish nature scenes that can work well with the ponies.

[Eskara1862]

Get creative!  You can use the great outdoors or whatever you have in the house.

I took these photos at the local arboretum. By laying down on the ground and trying to get below the pony, I was able to do some forced perspective shots and make her appear in scale to her surroundings.

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This one was done in front of my computer monitor with some fall leaf confetti.

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But, in general, I use my lovely ginkgo/fern/dragonfly fabric.  This is the easiest setup and allows the pony to be the main focus.
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[LilSpark]

In front of the monitor? Awesome idea!

[MissSleepless]

Eskara, that monitor thing is genius! I've never quite got it to work out for myself, but wow!

I'm one of those outsidey photography types, otherwise I use a fabric drop and spend hours fighting with lighting. Being a picky cinematography student sucks sometimes. xD

[TokiBear]

I also like to use a simple fabric backdrop to keep the focus on the pony, although there are times that I will shoot outside as I like natural lighting much better than artificial.

[sarafina]

I use either a fabric backdrop or scrapbook paper:


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[Timepiece]

I don't usually photograph my ponies with backdrops, and obviously end up with my desktop with all of my display ponies and other figures, purposely for my monitor display.

HOWEVER, I have like about three options to take some shots. Jessica figure included. *Cough*

1. A magazine cover? Okay yea. I know of a Newtype JP stand somewhere in a Japanese convention (and I think USA did this too before it went out of business) where they have the cover as their backdrop... So I thought I did the same. It's not big enough sadly. But again pretty much a shameless excuse to use something Puella-Magi related on the BG.

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2. Any Pony giftwrap. I got the G4 one from my friend as wrapping paper, and I reserve the undamaged paper... As a back-drop! This was my recent one using my sis's camera and my friend's memory stick, so I got pretty clear shots compare to my old cam-corder.

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3. Canterlot backdrop. Really small, but it's a separate cardboard piece from the packaging, so it's not a bad deal for my glowing Fluttershy. Sadly I can't use it atm since it was used for my display box filled with McD G3.5 Sweetie and Cherielee, G3 Toola, and G4 RBD + Fluttershy.

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