A first experiment with plaster backdrop.

Plaster background; 1st test. by Gary  Menten, on Flickr

As I will be shooting entirely indoors for the duration of the winter and probably for most of the summer, I've decided to bring the outdoors indoors and started experimenting with the creation of background and foreground rocks and such using plaster over a framework, in this case a foam-core frame, which was not the best solution.  Though this rock was not large enough to allow for a 2 x 3 aspect ratio and the photo had to be cropped square, I judge the overall result to be not bad for a first attempt.  

The observer can judge for himself or herself if I have been successful.

I would say that you have been very successful! You made this backdrop out of plaster over foamcore board? The texturing and colors are spot-on! I would not have known this was an artificial backdrop. This could easily be outdoors in the gully where I snap many of my outdoor photos.

It's a foam-core frame....filled in with crumpled newspaper kept in place with tape, the first covered with a plaster-gauze from Woodland Scenics, with more plaster added afterwards then carved to give striations. The paint job is using a leopard-spotting technique of applying patches of diluted yellow ocher and raw sienna, the finally topped off with an even more dilute black wash.

It all seems to have dried and hardened very nicely now. It seems the foam core frame has held up nicely.

That’s good to know. It is certainly an impressive looking backdrop!

I'm going to attempt a larger one over the next few days.

Looks good . Are you going to show us how you made it ?

As the first was merely an experiment, I didn't take any pictures. I will with the next one.

It looks great to me Kimono Troop Command!

Thanks. I've just started working on the 4 x 2" diorama version in the last half hour.

This looks great! I've never really done anything outside of urban dioramas. So this is new to me.

I started work today on a 4' x 2' diorama that will feature a rocky bluff or cliff backdrop. It will be used in the comic book adventures I am working on with Dal, Dave and Colin.

Kimono Troop Command wrote:

I started work today on a 4' x 2' diorama that will feature a rocky bluff or cliff backdrop. It will be used in the comic book adventures I am working on with Dal, Dave and Colin.

I've been following the crossover! I'm excited to see this. 4 x 2 is pretty big!

Great work Gary