Edit a Photo

I found a blog with wonderful tutorials on how to edit photos- it's called polished pictures.  I want to try it on the above picture.

Make a Small Textured Photography Backdrop

Try to ignore the precious princess above and check out the fantastic textured backdrop used behind her.  I LOVE it!  I'm going to dislocate my shoulder patting myself on the back because I made it and it only cost two dollars!!!  You can make one too- it's super simple!

Here are the easy to follow (I hope) directions:
Purchase a foam board and a package of tissue paper- I found mine at Dollar Tree.  You'll also need matte finished mod podge and a foam brush.

Tear up a single layer of tissue paper into random sized pieces about six inches wide, wad the pieces of tissue up into a tiny ball to make wrinkles and crinkles.

Gently unfold your paper wads.  Smear your foam board with mod podge- painting it onto one small section at a time.  Then press your wrinkled tissue paper onto the board making sure that the edges are glued down well.

Keep layering mod podge and wrinkled paper until you reach the look you are going for.  I wanted something very subtle so I added several layers of tissue paper.  If you want bold lines and edges that clearly show where the tissue paper is overlapping just apply a thin layer of tissue paper.  Place your board on a flat surface and allow to dry.  If the foam board curls up on the corners set weights onto each corner to help flatten it back out.

When it is all dry flip over your foam board and use a second color of tissue paper to make a backdrop on the backside. I want to try again using gold tissue paper, and then a floral print, etc., etc.  If you shop at Dollar Tree you can spend 3$ (add some mod podge) and end up with two delightful backdrops.

Obviously, this will make a very small backdrop suitable for close ups and for photographing babies or toddlers.  However you could join two boards together and make a larger backdrop... so many options : )

How to Make a Photo Prop Banner

There are lots of different banners used in photo sessions.  I've noticed a huge variety.  I have made a couple in the past.  Then I saw some using simple muslin and I decided to make a few of those as well.  I'm sorry that these are not original ideas- they are copies of what I have seen around the web- with directions on how to make them for your photo prop stash.

The first banner is made by cutting out fourteen triangles.  Then place two together and sew them on top of each other with a simple zig zag stitch (just making them thicker so that they'll hang better).

 The "string" is made by cutting strips that are two inches wide.  Fold in half and zig zag the length of your "string".  Place triangles onto string and zig zag in place.  Leave the edges raw, show the stitching- it all adds texture.

The gathered muslin strip is made by cutting a strip of fabric three inches wide.  Sew a large width straight basting stitch down the middle, and then again one fourth inch from previous row of stitching- do not back stitch.  Then pull end strings to gather.  When it is a "ruffled" as you like, sew down the middle again using a small straight stitch.  Drape as needed.

Now, I really ought to quit playing with props and start learning how to take photos with some real people!

How to Make a Photo Prop Floor

I found a box of flooring at my Habitat for Humanity Restore for a very nice price.  It was the snap together kind.  I snapped it up- actually it took a few grunts and groans to get it into the cart- that stuff is heavy!  I brought it home and snapped my tiny photo prop floor together and took a few photos.  I think I mentioned this before and you can see the floor below-

What I realized was that I would like to have a rustic white floor, too.  Yet, I didn't want to give up my "wooden" floor- so, I just flipped.  Yep, I took the floor apart, flipped over each plank, and painted the back white.  Now, I can use the "wood" side or flip over the planks and use the "white" side as needed (they slide together either way).  I guess this is an obvious solution- but it took me awhile to come up with it!  Here is a shot of my rustic white photo prop floor:

To paint the flooring I cleaned the plank backs with TSP.  Then I painted on a coat of primer.  Then I added a coat of eggshell finish white paint and I topped it all with a layer of brown antiquing wax.

This floor isn't perfect.  When I have kids on it, they wiggle and the flooring begins to slip apart.  But it is easily snapped back together.  Of course when photographing infants you don't have this problem.  To store the floor between photography sessions it is easy stack the individual planks- so they don't take up tons of room.

All in all I'm very pleased- two floors for $15!

Photo Prop- Cute Rug- nice price

I cruised through the clearance section at my Wal-Mart today.  I'm not sure what they are doing but at the front of our store there is a weird clearance section- it has hunting stuff, Christmas decorations, toys, just odds and ends.  In that section I found this super cute rug that would make a great photo prop for baby girl or for Valentine's photo shoots.  It would add so much texture, etc.  The price is $14.99. The rug is made by "American Kids" and it is 24x40 inches.

These rugs are very easy to make- but they use a surprising amount of fabric and a take great deal of time.  So, I felt like it was a good purchase- I'd love to photograph it on a rustic white floor with a chubby baby girl plopped on top.

Mini Frames for Home Decor and Ornaments

I took some time to play with these adorable picture frames yesterday.

 They are so cute and can be used as ornaments or just around the house.... fun!

I especially liked the idea of putting pictures of the Savior on the formal tree in the front room.  I found the  pictures in an old 8 inch calendar by Simon Dewey purchased on clearance from Deseret Book.

 My daughter said that in Arizona at the temple visitor's center there is a tree covered with pictures of temples- that would be beautiful as well.  Dear daughter suggested making all of your frames a rustic antiqued cream and using sepia tinted photographs.....

Can't decide what to make for dinner- try Holiday Chicken Salad- yummy- even better with an added bit of mustard.  This is one of my favorite meals to take to families with a new baby or other need.  I just send over a package of croissants from the bakery and a disposable food container filled with the chicken salad and a head of lettuce.  Nothing fancy but it tastes good!  They can grab the meal out of the fridge anytime they want to eat- no prep- and they can throw away the containers when they are done- so, no dishes!

Free Photography Actions for Photoshop

I have two nieces that are professional photographers.  So super talented.  One is located in Arizona.  The other is located in Utah.

Portrait photography is such an art.  You have to be a skilled photographer and be skilled in working with people- as I've said before- such a HUGE learning curve.  One of my new favorite inspirational blogs is Peekaboo Photography.  Wow!  Her work is amazing.

I took the above photo on Saturday.  Since trees and beautiful green shrubs are few and far between in West Texas we used an old abandoned house for the backdrop.  I've been having a blast learning about and playing with filters and actions for photoshop.  I'm so grateful for free actions like the ones offered at Coffee Shop Blog.  So MANY options!  Since I've started having computer problems I haven't been able to use my actions.... I'm hoping for some great black Friday computer deals.... maybe we can upgrade!

For ideas on displaying all of your great photos how about these adorable miniature wooden frames filled with family pictures.... after getting enough to decorate your own tree you might want to grab a few extra as these would make such a special gift for grandma.

Make Your Own Photo Props: A list of links

I've been looking for super cute and affordable photo props and I'm not finding too many.  So, I looked for links on how to make some of my own and I thought I'd share what I found.  Here are a few of my favorites. 

These cute headband crowns that can be easily altered and then used for birthdays, for princes and princesses or for super heroes.

Grosgrain's tent that folds down for easy transportation and storage.

Spunky toddler tie  (girl's or boys)- For some reason I especially like these in black and white photos.  Here is another pattern (no elastic).

Wood Crate and you can add "vintage" labels from here.

I did get two banners made- one girly and one with "boy" colors. 

Here are the simple instructions: Draw a triangle the size you'd like your flags to be on paper.  Mine were about  seven inches across the top and about 11 inches center top to bottom point.

Pin to fabric and cut around.  I cut out seven flags (triangles).  Use the same pattern to cut out seven flags from felt (this gives your banner a nice weight so it hangs nicely and doesn't get all curled up in storage).  Place one decorative fabric flag on top of one plain felt flag and serge or zig zag stitch around your banner flags.  Get two packages of bias tape.  Leave two feet (for tying) and then begin zig zagging your flags onto the bias tape.  Equally space the flags.  I put mine about three inches apart.  When you run out of bias tape just open the second package and sew the new tape on top of the old, overlapping about three inches.  Keep adding flags.  Leave another two feet for tying.  Display behind a cute munchkin and start snapping photos.

Make Your Own Photography Backdrop Stand

I saw something similar to this on a very expensive photography prop website.  I also saw a glimpse of a version of this on the prop junky website.  My mind started spinning and I came up with an inexpensive substitute for those very expensive ($129) backdrop stands- To make your own you will need:

portable clothes rack from Ross ($12)
curtain rings with clip attachments,
four or five 2 inch clamps from Home Depot ($1 each). 

Assemble the clothes rack as directed.  Before attaching the top cross bar slip on about ten curtain rings-on the bar where the hangers would go. Finish assembling the clothes rack.

Attach your fabric background with the curtain rings and clamp in place as needed.  Make sure that when you attach the clamps to the bars you aim them away from your model- wouldn't want to have it accidentally slip off and peg someone.... never seen that happen but I'm new and I worry about these things.  If you want the background fabric to hang straight cut it to the size of the clothes rack- if you want the fabric to drape cut it longer and wider. 

This adapted "photography stand" has wheels so it is easy to move.  It can hold several backdrops at once and those can be switched out without too much trouble- especially if you use curtain rings with clips attached (I just used what I had in my crafty junk box).

For the actual backdrops I've used curtain panels, blankets and pieces of fabric cut to size.  For a beginner with a tiny budget it works pretty well!

Oh, this won't work for a tall adult unless he's sitting--- but maybe you could use pvc pipe to make the stand taller.  Still beats the $129 price tag.

 Another item that would make a fun photo prop are these rugs at Urban Outfitters.  These would be easy (but time consuming) to make- ... I think they'd look great in a photoshoot.

More pictures and a book recommendation

I'm still playing with pictures from my photo-practice-session.  I'm also spending a bunch of time reading and learning about photography and how to edit pictures.  Intersting stuff.  I really like the Digital Photography Book  Volume 1 by Scott Kelby. 

Learning How to Take Pictures

Wow, the learning curve on a new camera and a new photo editing program is pretty intense.  I had my practice-taking-pictures session yesterday and it only emphasized how little I know and how much practice I need- duh.  Taking pictures of real people is so much more fun then taking pictures of dolls though!  Any suggestions on calibrating a computer monitor?  The auto color fixes on my pictures left them looking yellow on my monitor- but I don't want them to look cherry red either....

I found another photography website that I like Confessions of a prop junky.  She has photoshop tutorials as well.

Here are two photos from yesterdays shoot.