Backgrounds

[Summer-blade]

I've started takeing pictures of my doll and I've got a bunch of outfits and some props but what's throwing me are backgrounds!

Right now all I can do for a decent background are sheets, and pillows and they work but they're kinda meh...

I'm having lighting issues too I know inside is better for lighting but really it get either too much or too little light
 

[aellos]

SCRAPBOOK PAPER.
I took the idea from someone here in the forum.
But it works greeaaaat.

[bewilderness]

Ideas I've used:

--full-page photos torn from magazines.  (I stole this idea from Tuney, I think). I loved how this worked out so I'll be keeping an eye for some magazine pictures that would make good backgrounds:
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--stone castle wall I made from contact paper and foamboard:
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--background on my computer; the "sun" is actually the reflection from my camera flash.  As Bob Ross might have said, that was a happy accident.  I just relocated all my icons to the edge of the screen:
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If you have one of those huge coffee table books with big pictures, it might work too, just propping it up behind the doll.

[Summer-blade]

aellos- thanks I might have to pick up scrapbook paper on my next craft run

bewilderness- Computer screens! I never would have thought of that perfect ! I just got a new larger screen

[pukunui]

I use scrapbook paper for a lot of my backdrops.

[tuneful87]

Bewild: I adore that castle shot! I may need to steal it!

I get bored easily and am never satisfied with my backdrops. Some of the things I've used:

Outdoors (in trees, grass, gardens, etc)
Photos from books
Brick fireplace
Blankets or patterned cloth

[aellos]

I use scrapbook paper for a lot of my backdrops.

*Points* YES This guy is why I used scrapbook paper. It's not original to me at all, but a genius idea!

[bewilderness]

Bewild: I adore that castle shot! I may need to steal it!

Thanks!  Feel free to steal.  One of these days I want to put together a photo tutorial, but basicaly what I did was cut the contact paper into one to two inch strips and then cut the stones out from those.  Then stuck them to the foamboard--it was almost like putting together a puzzle...some needed a little bit cut away here and there to fit.  Then I used the end of a small paintbrush to gently press down on the area between the stones to give it some depth.  And finally made a wash of grey and brown acrylic paint and water and painted that over the exposed areas of foamboard between the stones.  I think it took me about three hours or so to make it.

I also want to make a wood floor to go with it, using this tutorial:  http://etheriadolls.wordpress.com/2012/03/23/creating-wood-plank-floors-in-playscale-for-your-16-diorama-or-barbie-doll-house/

[pukunui]

I use scrapbook paper for a lot of my backdrops.

*Points* YES This guy is why I used scrapbook paper. It's not original to me at all, but a genius idea!

I can't take credit for the idea either. I was inspired by Game of Fate and several others over on Flickr.

[Knibitz]

I made this
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It's a wicker basket from micheals + fake moss + paper butterflies + fake flowers + mini birdnest + little flower pot and little wreathe

I this photo in the box
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It was a bit expensive to put together ~30$ Probably could have been done cheaper... I was just lazy

[pukunui]

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I love this! 

[aellos]

*head on hands*
Man I love getting inspired by you guys with great photography skills.
I need to get a better camera other than my cellphone. My cellphone just doesn't take my hand shaking as well as a camera does. (I plan on getting something better for christmas? Just a small, decent priced one. Nothing fancy).

[Knibitz]

*head on hands*
Man I love getting inspired by you guys with great photography skills.
I need to get a better camera other than my cellphone. My cellphone just doesn't take my hand shaking as well as a camera does. (I plan on getting something better for christmas? Just a small, decent priced one. Nothing fancy).

you dont happen to have an iphone, would you?
I can offer you a ton of tips for shooting with an iphone if that happens to be what you have

[aellos]

I have an android. It takes decent pictures outside, but the main issues is that I lost my little converter for the SD card. And I get cruddy reception where I live. DX

Tis why I want one of those little non fancy digital cameras. I know if I practice, those will make it a bit easier on me, and I still didn't splurge on anything fancy. Because I don't need fancy.

[Summer-blade]

wow love all this guys    Knibitz your stuff is amazing!