With a love of studio portraits, it was only a matter of time before I heard the words Oliphant Backdrops, sure gorgeous, but also a little out of my price league (Or so I thought). But perhaps I could try creating my own, I know other photographers are doing it too. So I went to Bunnings (sort of Home Depot, that has anything for around the house and garden) and bought a 2.6m x 3.6m canvas paint drop cloth, it cost around AUD$35.00, then I bought a 2litre tin of Blackboard paint AUD$45.00 and a large plastic cover to protect the floor AUD$3.00. The Canvas soaked up the paint and I ran out, so I needed another 4 litres so another $90! So for under AUD$200.00, I hoped to have an awesome hand-painted backdrop for the studio. Add in the labour and I am thinking those girls (and guys?) at Oliphant earn their money, but still, it was an interesting experiment.
Step one
Obviously, step one was buying it all from my local hardware store, as well as the paintĀ (I used classic blackboard paint) and floor covering.
Step two
The canvas was very creased from being folded in packaging so I decided to throw it in the washing machine for a quick rinse, to remove any smells, chemicals (supposedly were none) and wrinkles and creases (It did not remove all, but most).
Step three
Laid out the plastic drop sheet in the studio, after moving everything out of the way. Then I grabbed the still damp canvas and laid it over the plastic drop cloth, stretching it out (ask someone to help you), I then weighted it all down and left for a day or two to dry. Still a little creased, so I was going to give it an iron, but after internally groaning at the thought (I donāt even do the ironing at home), I never did. But go ahead if you think your back can handle it. [P.S. I think ironing it would have been a very good idea, as it is still quite creased after painting]
Step Four
Using a roller brush (mine was designed for painting on a textured surface) on an extension pole, I then applied two coats of Blackboard paint, as close to the edges as I could, allowing ample time to dry in between coats. You could use any paint, but I wanted a deep charcoal that would not have any sheen.
Step Five
Easy, hang it up and use it, I could have done a milk wash (extremely diluted paint and water mix) over the top and sponged off, and perhaps I might do that at a later date, but I adore the final result, albeit a little creased.
I have other sheets of canvas, I might cut and use as smaller backdrops, need to experiment with various paints and sponging and blending. Takes me back to the good old Folk Art and Decorative painting days.
I was very stiff, sore and sorry for myself, it was much harder on the arms, shoulders and back than I was expectingā¦or maybe I am too soft? But still, all done. Not a bad activity for cold, wet and gloomy days. The creases are not too bad if lit properly, I love the flat light it gives back. Have already used it a few times and have plans to use it many more.
~ Julz
Julie Powell - Photographer & Graphic Artist 
That does look like a lot of work . . . I went the cheap way but it worked out pretty well for me:
https://amzn.to/2u50vOw
https://amzn.to/2u6x7Hn
https://amzn.to/2zdyLNs
I used the system for a shoot I did at work (proprietary equipment I can’t show because I had to destroy all the photos when I left the place). It turned out very well. Here’s the setup I did at home for my Spin post (http://bit.ly/2u7mUdM):
Two things . . . that particular setup had strong sunlight from the windows behind the backdrop which I didn’t mind because it helped even out the light. When I used it at work, the backdrop disappeared.
Also, the creases are visible for the same reason . . . the backlight. When I shot at work, I used additional clips to pull the material taut and that helped and again, the creases were not visible.
One thing I will look into if I ever decide to do serious photography again is to order a collapsible trade-show banner (http://bit.ly/2z7ylYR). It’s expensive but it’s also durable and it’s quick to set up and compact enough to ship if you’re going somewhere for a shoot and flying there.
The one we had ordered for work was imprinted with one of my photographs and served as a backdrop to the display booth the company set up at various trade shows. I would order it black and buy a 10×20 green muslin backdrop for when I would want to swap out background images.
If I were really serious, I’d have a room with one wall painted black and one wall painted green.
Quick question . . . could you not have hung it up and used a paint sprayer? You could then paint both sides or two different colors.
Finally . . . this is another thing I’m considering:
https://www.backdropexpress.com/vinyl-photo-backgrounds-s/1819.htm
This probably went to moderation, so I hope you found it.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have some vinyl backgrounds but theyāre only small, for flatlays and macro but they work very well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes I love the smaller vinyl ones too….sadly no good with models lol
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is a lot of different ways I could go…but they were not available here or not cost effective. Also a paint sprayer would likely be messy and costly. I dont own one. But its done now. Thanks for your input.
LikeLike
Ps I have a collapisble rig… my big rig is much more secure and I have been using the big black and white muslin backdrops for years, very different look to the canvas š
LikeLike
I mostly ask because I’ve had very little experience with backdrops and have only used them in a few shooting situations so I defer to your extensive experience on the matter.
Realistically, I don’t think I’ll ever do as much with my photography as you do with yours. I certainly like the look of the finished product and especially like the lack of wrinkles.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The lack of wrinkles was more due lighting. Sadly not much is perfect. A room painted completely black or white would be my preference, but sadly not going to happen any time soon
LikeLike
Looks great Julz.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks….I adore using it š
LikeLiked by 2 people