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1/12/2006 6:58:06 AM

 

Masterpiece Membership with Jim Miotke

Photography Question 
Angela K. Harter


member since: 8/25/2005
 

HOW TO MAKE A BACKDROP STAND???


Does anyone have any suggestions or directions on how to make a backdrop stand? Thanks in advance!!!!!! Angie

1/10/2006 1:33:10 PM

 
Liza M. Franco
BetterPhoto Member


member since: 7/26/2004
  Hey Angie,

PVC pipe is a great inexpensive way to go. I think it costs about $15.00 I found a really great site on it once if you would like more details let me know.

Liza

1/10/2006 1:38:52 PM

 
Alisha L. Ekstrom
BetterPhoto Member
Contact Alisha
Alisha's Premium Gallery

member since: 1/30/2005
  Hey Liza could you send the details my way as well. I want my husband to make me one out of PVC piping, BUT I'm unsure as to what exactly I want:) THANKS!!!

Alisha

1/10/2006 8:50:13 PM

 
Nicole Kessel


member since: 4/30/2004
  I'm definitely interested too, Liza! If you wouldn't mind sending the link to me also! :)


1/10/2006 9:29:43 PM

 
Liza M. Franco
BetterPhoto Member


member since: 7/26/2004
  Sure, no problem. I searched for the last 2 hours for this website that used to have wonderful PVC info and every time I saw mention of it and went to it, it was no longer there. So tomorrow I will do my best to sketch it out with instructions for you both and email it to you.

1/10/2006 9:29:50 PM

 
Nicole Kessel


member since: 4/30/2004
  Thank you, Liza!

1/10/2006 9:37:30 PM

 
Kendall L. Noland
BetterPhoto Member
lamontimage.com

member since: 5/15/2005
  This is the backdrop stand I made from this web site.

http://www.betterphoto.com/gallery/dynoGallDetail.asp?photoID=82382

The base is 12" by 12" or I use a 15" circle wood base from Home Depot. If you have any question on it let me know. Total cost less than $20. The only thing I did different was I added a center pole for support. So far it works great.

1/10/2006 9:43:36 PM

 
Liza M. Franco
BetterPhoto Member


member since: 7/26/2004
  Kendall, thank you so much this is the exact same design style I was trying to find. You have saved me from having to draw this out and show my lack of drawing skills:) I've never seen it done with conduit before. Do you know if they are both equally strong? You can also make light diffusers and light stands on wheels, small storage carts, the list goes on and on. For diffuser fabric I think the stuff to use is called rip-stop nylon and I think I read that Wal-Mart sells it. PVC, fabric, some screws and some wheels can go a long way.

1/11/2006 10:20:11 AM

 
Alisha L. Ekstrom
BetterPhoto Member
Contact Alisha
Alisha's Premium Gallery

member since: 1/30/2005
  Hey THANKS Kendall. Seeing it TOTALLY makes more sense. I'll give this to my hubby to make:) THANKS AGAIN!!!!!

1/11/2006 10:35:12 AM

 
John Sandstedt
BetterPhoto Member


member since: 8/8/2001
  I don't want to rain on anyone's parade but -

Remember that PVC pipe, especially in sizes between 1/2-in to 1 1/2-inch Schedule 5 [the common size] will bend under stress [the weight of the backdrop. If your planning to use muslin, it's quite heavy! You might want to consider using a 3/4 or 1-inch dowel slipped INSIDE of the horizontal member of the backdrop stand to provide a little added stability.

I say this because I watched the problems my late brother faced as he used not only his hand-made PVC backdrop stand, but also his PVC lighting stand [for which he won a $100 proze from Pop Photo years ago.]

That's why I spent the $100 for the aluminum stand I've used ever since. For those of us who can afford up to $1000 [or more] for a digital SLR, making a PVC backdrop stand isn't the place to save a few dollars.

Just my thought.

1/11/2006 11:03:46 AM

 
Liza M. Franco
BetterPhoto Member


member since: 7/26/2004
  John is absolutely right about warping with the weight of muslin. When I made mine I made an extra support for the middle. I like the idea about putting another piece within the outer one. I also used a larger diameter pipe. I don't know that it made any difference, 1/8" thick wall of the pipe is 1/8" thick no matter what the actual diameter is.

I understand John's point completely about cutting corners, however, everyone needs a starting point and I think it is fine to go this route until you can afford bigger and better. Hey, if it warps, replace the center bar.

As for light stands, I wouldn't suggest making a very tall light stand as the weight of a light, umbrella or softbox may be too much for it. I am going to make a small stand for my backlight today though because I haven't found any stand that works the way I need for some particular shots. So the do-it-yourself methods have their place, just always keep the weight factor in mind.

1/11/2006 11:23:00 AM

 
John Rhodes
BetterPhoto Member
backbayscenes.com

member since: 2/24/2005
  Regarding PVC--you're right about it being flexible. However, Schedule 40 PVC is much thicker, and therefore much stronger.

John

1/11/2006 3:39:38 PM

 
Angela K. Harter


member since: 8/25/2005
  thank you all soooo much for all the info!!!! I haven't looked into it yet but plan on doing so today and then putting my husband to work this weekend:) so are any of these portable? that will be my biggest problem.... thank you all again for everything~!!!

1/12/2006 4:31:10 AM

 
Kristy  L. Hargis


member since: 1/5/2006
  HI again!!
I actually broke down & bought me one. I didnt want to look cheap when I went on a photo shoot. They are pretty cheap. I got mine & 2 10 X 12 muslin backdrops for 120.00 dollars. If you are interested in the site let me know I will post it.
TTYL
Kristy

1/12/2006 7:13:45 AM

 
Angela K. Harter


member since: 8/25/2005
  kristy, I would love to know the site you got those from!

1/12/2006 7:18:35 AM

 
Kristy  L. Hargis


member since: 1/5/2006
  Hi!
I got them off ebay. The back drops had a funny smell to them, but a little fabreeze took care of that. I am thinking about buying some continuous softbox lights. I have a couple of strobe lights & a pro flash & 2 photo flood lights. Sometimes I think the light from the photo flood lights is just to hard. Well let me know if you find what you are looking for. I do have to tell ya his shipping seemed a bit high, but you get some nice stuff for the price. I had 150.00 invested in all of it with shipping. I got it in about 5 days coming from CA to TN.
I am glad I could help.
Kristy

4/9/2007 4:52:58 AM

 

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