Author Topic: Backdrops my way (Read 6142 times)

modelwarrior · « **on:** March 31, 2021, 12:55:20 PM »

My backdrops are split into two different types, but both use the end result. I either take the photos myself using a cheap DSLR or use a free image from the internet. As I mostly wargame Bolt Action and Normandy my local Gloucestershire countryside is perfect, but I need the internet for further afield.

Once I have my image depending on size I either print it or get it developed online as a panoramic picture (rough cost is £20 for 800x30). Don’t forget that these pictures can be used again and again for future photo shoots and are well worth the money and super realistic.
Onto my setup. I use either a £20 mini-Amazon backdrop holder, clothes pegs or blu tac to hold up my backdrop.

The basic principle of getting a backdrop correct is make sure you get the foreground to blend into the background as seamless as possible. The easiest way to do this is my lowering the backdrop a cm behind your base board thus starting to create an illusion of being natural. You can then further add to this illusion by adding hedges, walls etc. at the rear of the board between the subject and backdrop covering the obvious join up. Hope this all makes sense?
A few pictures of my backdrops and work.

modelwarrior · « **Reply #1 on:** March 31, 2021, 12:57:10 PM »

Some more backdrops.

modelwarrior · « **Reply #2 on:** March 31, 2021, 12:58:14 PM »

And some more

modelwarrior · « **Reply #3 on:** March 31, 2021, 01:00:21 PM »

And finally the Amazon holder.

BZ · « **Reply #4 on:** March 31, 2021, 01:07:37 PM »

Great photos!

Grumpy Gnome · « **Reply #5 on:** March 31, 2021, 01:17:58 PM »

Those are brilliant! Especially the one of the British artillery piece, the background looks spot on.

Thanks for sharing how you make that magic.... I really want to get to that level.

modelwarrior · « **Reply #6 on:** March 31, 2021, 01:41:54 PM »

Glad you like them and one point I forgot to mention is forced perspective. The picture of the Stug is a perfect example of fooling the human mind that objects appear nearer or further away. I am holding the Stug up on a 30 x 20 plinth outside with natural trees as the background.

The picture below is the Stug on its diorama plinth.

A great example of this effect can be found here :https://petapixel.com/2013/10/14/life-like-miniature-scenes-shot-using-model-cars-forced-perspective-250-ps/

syrinx0 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 31, 2021, 08:06:08 PM »

A great selection of backdrops to work with. The article on forced perspective was interesting. Some fantastic pictures as well.

BZ · « **Reply #8 on:** April 19, 2021, 08:29:46 AM »

Quote from: modelwarrior on March 31, 2021, 01:41:54 PM

A great example of this effect can be found here :https://petapixel.com/2013/10/14/life-like-miniature-scenes-shot-using-model-cars-forced-perspective-250-ps/

Thats a great link, thanks! For me not only the manipulation of perspective, but the use of lights are also amazing!

modelwarrior · « **Reply #9 on:** April 19, 2021, 10:09:14 AM »

Quote from: BZ on April 19, 2021, 08:29:46 AM

Thats a great link, thanks! For me not only the manipulation of perspective, but the use of lights are also amazing!

I agree about the light. He has a canny ability to place the foreground in shade and the background in sunlight. Also the natural sunlight adds to the authenticity(fools the eye) of his photographs. Never noticed that until you pointed it out.

has.been · « **Reply #10 on:** April 19, 2021, 01:37:38 PM »

Thanks for posting.

modelwarrior · « **Reply #11 on:** July 06, 2022, 11:38:08 AM »

Spotted this today. Taking perspective to a new level.

fred · « **Reply #12 on:** July 06, 2022, 08:27:16 PM »

Some great photos - the backdrops work very well

I tend to get a bit bored of the whole photography setup, but the few times I have tried with backdrops the results are good, so I should perhaps try a bit more often.