Props/Settings
Nov 21, 2011 18:34:30 #
I just wondered if there was an opinion on how much money has to be spent to get props to use? Is it better to spend the money on props from a prop and backdrop type place or could you just find some things and repurpose them?
Nov 21, 2011 18:40:42 #
I think the latter.....it is less expensive....and if You have a knack for finding and reusing things,you are ahead of the game.Professional props can get expensive
Nov 21, 2011 19:03:58 #
Thanks for your opinion. I wondered if I was the only one who thought the professional props were expensive? I am not a pro and I would like to get into doing a little more posed pics with props, but can't spend as much money as some of these places are asking for their props.
Nov 21, 2011 19:18:08 #
Tea8 wrote:
I just wondered if there was an opinion on how much money has to be spent to get props to use? Is it better to spend the money on props from a prop and backdrop type place or could you just find some things and repurpose them?
Hit the Goodwill or second hand stores in your area.
Nov 21, 2011 21:16:06 #
I agree with Country's Mama, you can find lots of props in Goodwill and second hand stores. Even the dollar store, especially for children's props.
Nov 21, 2011 22:54:49 #
Yes thank you Country's Mama and Blueeyes. I have looked at props online from different places and even on Craigslist and prices seemed a little high. I kept thinking that I had seen practically the same types of things at garage sales and second hand stores that would work just as well. I think for now I will work on repurposing items. Who knows maybe it will make my photos a little more interesting.
Nov 21, 2011 23:01:11 #
garage sales, craiglist, friends throw away/dontate piles, flea markets. The list can go on and on.
If you can knit/crochet you can whip up cute little hats.
If you can knit/crochet you can whip up cute little hats.
Nov 22, 2011 07:40:45 #
If you want to try making your own props, try this. For small items us a large cardboard box and colored sheets of poster board or cloth and clamp it to the front top of the box with spring clamps or even clothespins! A couple of cheap desk lamps and you are in business. For larger items clamp fabric or a sheet to shelving in the garage or make a stand out of wood or even pvc pipe. Try some crazy patterned fabrics. It helps if you use CFL bulbs about 5200k if you can find them, and see if you can make some kind of a diffusion screen in front of the lights. You can always graduate to expensive equipment if you need it.
Nov 22, 2011 07:51:43 #
Roger Salls
Loc: Stratford, CT
Repurpose repurpose repurpose There are so many thing you can use for props and most ypu already haveallow your creativity juices to flow and you'll see what I mean.
Nov 22, 2011 09:39:46 #
alaskanfrog
Loc: Alaska
Just because there are props available to purchase at nearly cost prohibitive expense, doesn't mean you should buy it. Props are generally used in photo studios by photographers who make a living from plying their trade and selling it. There are definitely less expensive ways to find and create props that will work just as well.
Garage sales, yard sales, rummage sales, and thrift stores, oh, and "flea markets" are good places to look if you don't mind wading through all the castoff leftovers... Some people call it "re purpose," and by all means, do so. Make the most from the least if your budget is limited (like mine...). One last place to consider finding props and items to "re purpose," is your own attic or basement where you store things you don't use, but don't want to get rid of for whatever reason... Nice topic, good question.
Garage sales, yard sales, rummage sales, and thrift stores, oh, and "flea markets" are good places to look if you don't mind wading through all the castoff leftovers... Some people call it "re purpose," and by all means, do so. Make the most from the least if your budget is limited (like mine...). One last place to consider finding props and items to "re purpose," is your own attic or basement where you store things you don't use, but don't want to get rid of for whatever reason... Nice topic, good question.
Tea8 wrote:
I just wondered if there was an opinion on how much money has to be spent to get props to use? Is it better to spend the money on props from a prop and backdrop type place or could you just find some things and repurpose them?
Nov 22, 2011 09:45:30 #
I just recently made a backdrop using pvc pipe and fleece and other fabric from a fabric store. I put the pvc pipe together to form some what of a box and threw the fabric over it. It worked perfectly and was cheap.
Nov 22, 2011 10:16:31 #
I have to agree yard sales, church yard sales friends offering to let you go through stuff there getting rid of. Its cheap if not free and you can always recover stools and such. I bought a tiny stool works for any child able to sit up on there own up to 4 years old. paid 50 cents and have made over $100 in the few weeks after I got it. Never even recovered it I just used drop cloths(black, colorful fabrics stores are trying to get rid of, yard sale cloth goods somebody thought they would use and never did. drape over and hang up and you have instant back ground
Nov 22, 2011 11:41:53 #
I used to make my own props, if you are handy with a hammer and saw, you can make some pretty nice stuff. I built a small walk bridge for kids, a small white gate with arbor, some silk ivy vines, a large diameter white rope swing, white fluted columns, etc. The list is only limited by your imagination. Even large boulders can be made for a small studio. See lwhat you can do.
Nov 22, 2011 12:53:19 #
Find and build your own props and backgrounds and let it be part of the creative process in your art. It's a lot more work, but also a lot more YOU!
Nov 22, 2011 22:20:34 #
I find Freecycle.com to be a wonderful resource for props. People use it to discard their items at no cost. Check it out!
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.