Creating sets and backgrounds

[tuneful87]

I find one of the hardest things when it comes to doll photography is creating sets and backgrounds for shoots. Here are some suggestions that have worked for me. Feel free to post yours as well.



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018 by tuneful87, on Flickr
A simple white sheet works especially well with black and white photos. Just make sure to smooth out the wrinkles in the fabric.



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001 by tuneful87, on Flickr
This brown blanket was posed just enough to resemble desert sands. Also, animal props work well!



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006 by tuneful87, on Flickr
This furry throw made this semi-nude shoot so much more warmer!



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041 by tuneful87, on Flickr
This was my comforter!



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026 by tuneful87, on Flickr
The back of this chair served as prison bars.



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084 by tuneful87, on Flickr
While outdoor shoots are great, you'll need to make sure you don't get distracting stuff in the photo - houses, cars, toys in the yard, basically anything that will take away from the model and the photo's composition.



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Toralei as Lust by tuneful87, on Flickr
Show off your creativity! This 'coffin' was made by wrapping a breadpan in a torn up undershirt!


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This background was simply a photograph from a book!

All right, time for you to share some of your suggestions! I've actually been meaning to find a doll store soon and buy some miniature furniture and stuff. I really need it!
 

[bewilderness]

LOVE the pages of a book as the background!! 
 
The background from the photo below came from the cardboard insert in a Bratz doll box.  Clawdeen's sitting on a candleholder, which makes a really good stool.  The floor is a white sheet of paper.  I may go back one day and digitally blend the floor into the background so you don't see the line.
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In the photo below, the green is a flexible plastic cutting board (posterboard or fabric would work too); the cliffside I found at Salvation Army one day in a toybox, the waterfall is fabric, the sky is a pillowcase; the waterfall spray is polyesther (sp?) filling for making pillows.
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The steps in this next one was a cardboard insert from the fearleading set.  The curtain is sheer black fabric, floor is a piece of white cardstock, and the background is a heavy cardboard Christmas box that I got on sale at Hobby Lobby.  I picked up 6 of the boxes, they're perfect for displaying or storing the dolls.
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Here's some links that might be helpful:
http://www.debwood.com/indoorphotoset/  -- Miniature forest
http://southerndisposition.blogspot.com/2011/12/diy-three-ring-binder-barbie-dollhouse.html  -- Dollhouse made from 3-ring binders and has links to tutorials on making some of the doll furniture
http://etheriadolls.wordpress.com/2012/03/23/creating-wood-plank-floors-in-playscale-for-your-16-diorama-or-barbie-doll-house/ -- Creating wood plank floors for dioramas
http://decor8blog.com/2008/04/17/reader-q-little-girl-gifts/ -- The link to the tutorial doesn't work but this shows a very simple dollhouse made out of foam board.  (I've thought about using this idea to make a Ninja Turtles den for my nephews for Christmas )
 
There's a lot of cool scrapbooking papers out there that would make good backgrounds.
 
 

[Cate_Dartfinger]

My favorite things to use as backdrops are:

Curtains: The natural drape of the curtain makes for some dimension. Tacked to the wall or in front of a window at night (so no light peeks through).


Tri-fold foam board: THIS I use often. Not only will it stand on its own, the matte white surface doesn't reflect the flash back into the lens.

Scrap-booking paper or 'fat quarter' fabric swatches: Both are very cheap, and have TONS of different patterns and styles. You can find almost ANYTHING you're thinking of for a back drop in either kind.

[Dragonsummoner]

Great advice! I second using blankets and sheets.
I used one of my favorite blankets for this shot. (Sorry for repeat, I just love this  )

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This world is made of... by thriftstoredragon, on Flickr


I used an old calender for this shot. Now I just need to learn about lighting so I don't wash out the little pegasus.

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I'll protect you little sister. by thriftstoredragon, on Flickr


Here I used two pieces of a Catwalk Kitties playset.

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*nuzzles* by thriftstoredragon, on Flickr


This is just a table!

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Little girls love to pony. by thriftstoredragon, on Flickr

[Colorscapesart]

I like to look for opportunity backgrounds, things that tell a story without being too obtrusive. 
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My hubby's piano, with a little phone music box create an almost turn of the century feel ( I should have covered up those electronic buttons, but live and learn!)
My son's toys!
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An old Breyer horse (had to switch the angle up a bit to keep the fence out of the pic and the scale of the horse reasonable to the doll):
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I love to hide a regular cup under fabric, it keeps it unobtrusive and yet its a great support!
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Neat ideas!  I can't wait to see more!
 
 
 
 
 

[NoDivision]

I got nothing I'm enjoying everyone's tips. I'm a huge minimalist, so I generally just look for the blankest background I can find.

[aellos]

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Sassy in Purple by aellosferrin, on Flickr

I'm not as creative as the others in my current photos, but I'm definately going to try some of this stuff out!

For me, when in doubt I use the brick wall. Just dull enough to not be distracting, but still interesting!

[TexasGal]

wonderful tips guys!  This is very helpful....

[tuneful87]

CSA: I've been meaning to tell you that I love your phone pic with the witch redhead. That photo has such a story behind it. I love it!

[kamakazee82]

if you have a large tv you can freeze the picture and VOILA! limitless backgrounds lol

think i mentioned that elsewhere ...

[NoDivision]

For the challenge we just did, I printed out a large image to use as the background. It was 6 pieces of paper put together and draped along the wall and along the surface of my desk to make a background and the ground.

See?

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Here it is used in color

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And in black and white

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[tuneful87]

NoD, thanks for posting a 'behind the scenes' photo. I think it's most informative. You went above and beyond this week! Wherever did you get that action figure? It's epic!

[NoDivision]

he was an exclusive at last year's comic con. He's one of my very favorites, he's just super cool. His skin is all rubbery!

[tuneful87]

Cool. I just noticed the yellow flowers on him. That's rather adorable!

[NoDivision]

and the ladybug on his shoulder ^_^ I've cast him as a moster, but Swamp Thing is actually very nice