Sunday, February 9, 2014

In a Galaxy Far Far Away

I have recently entered the world of geekdom!  I'm not a crazy fan girl, but I do enjoy this world hehe! My husband was floored when he realized I had only seen one of the Star Wars movies, so he made me watch all of them.  It wasn't that I didn't want to see them, but my step dad was a Trekkie which meant we watched Star Trek instead.  I have always loved Harrison Ford, so I knew I'd enjoy them!  That was just the start.  I guess I could call that the start.... at least I thought it was.  Apparently a show I got hooked on back in 2005 is in this category.  Next came my obsession with Doctor Who, Walking Dead, and Game of Thrones... Anyways, I've gotten off subject a bit...

This post isn't about my crazy geeky side, but about making a stary backdrop.  I had a Star Wars themed newborn session, and I wanted something more than just my black or white backdrop.  I decided to try the local arts and craft store for some cool fabric that I could use to make an interesting backdrop that would look like it belongs in Star Wars.  Sadly, there wasn't much to choose from.  As I was about to give up hope, I happened to look over to the rolls of tulle.  All of a sudden the light bulb clicked on.  I saw a roll of black tulle with silver glitter dots all over it.  I grabbed a few rolls, and headed home.




I set up my black backdrop, and cut the tulle into strands and draped it over the back.  I cut it to the length of the floor, and left the floor part just black.  From a glance it doesn't look like it's gonna work, but it does!


I set my camera to a very shallow depth of field, and I moved my subject away from the backdrop.  This allowed the backdrop to be a bit more blurred which would help achieve the look I wanted...
With my camera settings, and post editing, I was able to make it



The cool thing about this is it can also create a really cool bokeh look!  I took another shot using this same setup with my daughters and made it look like a bokeh backdrop.




This idea can work for more colors too.  I am thinking I'm going to go back to arts and craft and get a few different things of tulle and see what other fun effects I can create!!!!

I hope you found this helpful and fun.  If it inspires you then go out and get some fun looking tulle and go to town.  Being creative and inventive is half the fun of photography!