Prop Ideas Needed, along with?

[David Whatley]

OK folks, I am looking for some inexpensive, easy to store and move prop and BG ideas. I nearly have my little in home studio done, so its time to add some props. Here i will be shooting mostly children, models, and maybe a bride on occassion. Here is my setup:
black BG,
White BG both for full length, Section of hardwodd flooring,
a couple of kid toys from my grandson
White bar stool and wooden barstool
This is a dedicated room, so things dont have to be "put away"

Some idas I would like to have are:

Different BG's, not paper or muslin, but maybe, rustic fencing, etc.
Variousprop Ideas that can be picked up at the dollar store, Walmart, Goodwill etc.
Throw your ideas out and also where they may be found.
Also, I love DIY ideas, I have a lot of free time
Thanks
David

[Stephen H]

DIY idea (I haven't tried this!)- make a section of lightweight movable wall with window to pose in.

[Steelsun]

Pedestal (roman style). They have plaster ones at Hobby Lobby for about $30. Great for sitting objects on (like baskets of flowers) or having models lean on

[David Whatley]

Brian I will go by Hobby Lobby tomorrow. Stepan, that is one of the ideas I have in mind. I have a N. window on the wall behind my backgrounds, I could do it there. I wish hay didnt make such a mess :(

[KeithAlanK]

Don't Lowe's and Home Depot sell wall coverings with fake bricks and especially other textures? Modern paneling if you will.
They're plastic sheets about 1/8th" thick or a little more.
8 feet tall at least, and fairly wide.
A section or two shouldn't break the bank, but they don't roll up so storage may or may not be a problem for you.

Maybe a dumb idea compared to backdrops made especially for studio use, but it can't hurt to look at the choices and pricing.

[Michelle Allmon]

Colored umbrellas are fun!

[David Whatley]

K.A.K, I looked into that yeasterday. When I asked one of the guys, about my age, he didnt even know what I was talking about. I will look at Lowes today.
Michelle, good Idea, I will pick a couple up today.

[CaptainTom]

David
I would suggest you get with Don Barnes (bondarnes here) in Denton. His studio is full of props and gadgets he has gathered over the years.
He has even put in a spiral staircase to "nowhere". He has a "brick" wall, a school locker area, a "library", and other things too hard to explain.

[boxofrocks]

Originally Posted by CaptainTom

David
I would suggest you get with Don Barnes (bondarnes here) in Denton. His studio is full of props and gadgets he has gathered over the years.
He has even put in a spiral staircase to "nowhere". He has a "brick" wall, a school locker area, a "library", and other things too hard to explain.

I second that. He has lots of stuff, and can point you in the right direction to obtain most of it. Don has always been willing to help other photographers in the past.

(Thanks, Don!)

[Stephen H]

For library, check Goodwill stores and the like. Half-priced books also sells "Books by the Yard" just for decorating- old law books and stuff. You can even saw the books spines off and just use them.

Garden Ridge Pottery also sells the plaster columns.

If you get some paneling with the brick on one side, just put some spray-paint art on the back side for instant-gritty look.

[David Whatley]

Thanks Guys, I am waiting on Don to chime in.
Stephan, is there an easy way to cut the spline off? A chain saw will make a bit of a mess I'm afraid.

[Dsheree]

you can make your own brick wall...if you are interested PM me and I'll talk you through it.

[bondarnes]

Originally Posted by David Whatley

Thanks Guys, I am waiting on Don to chime in.
Stephan, is there an easy way to cut the spline off? A chain saw will make a bit of a mess I'm afraid.

Chiming in. For my library wall I cut the spines off with a box cutter and then glued that to two or three thicknesses of corrugated cardboard cut in strips. I will try to get in there later today and shoot some images of my different sets. I've gotta go work now.

[Stephen H]

I was flipping channels the other day and a guy was doing some kind of decorating project with old books. He was just using a table saw to saw maybe 1/2" of the back off, then glueing them to whatever.

Come to think of it, our library has a once-a-year book sale- people donate books all year, then they have the sale one weekend. Go in at the end of that event, and you can probably name your price.

[raevyncent]

Originally Posted by KeithAlanK

Don't Lowe's and Home Depot sell wall coverings with fake bricks and especially other textures? Modern paneling if you will.
They're plastic sheets about 1/8th" thick or a little more.
8 feet tall at least, and fairly wide.
A section or two shouldn't break the bank, but they don't roll up so storage may or may not be a problem for you.

Maybe a dumb idea compared to backdrops made especially for studio use, but it can't hurt to look at the choices and pricing.

>>>>>> Me is a Lowe's employee........ yes, do check out the paneling.... there is one that really looks like brick, one that is brown leather, bead-board, even faux tile and travertine marble! Most of them are around $15-$20 per 4'x8' sheet, and some are available in 48"x32". Also , look into the formica laminate sheets.... some are a fair aproximation of granite. You can also start to see fake fireplaces go on clearance about now. Nothing like a fireplace for a winter/Christmas portrait!

Maybe look into their wallpaper dept too, some type of mural stuff there.... and maybe pick up a garden arbor or trellis for faux outdoor shots. As far as fencing, call around to the lumber dept of a few diff stores to see if they have any culls...bad pieces (warped, split etc.); usually you can find a decent pack of fence boards for next to nothing, and since they have likely been outside, they are usually already weathered.

hope this helps.

ANthony

PS: For the books, go to your local Goodwill and sign up for email alerts. Couple times a month they will have a 50% OFF event, then you can get loads of books for as little as $.25 each.