Backgrounds

[shutterbug3070]

I already have a question. My son just turned 2 years old a couple weeks ago and I want to his portraits and my 1 year old nephew's also. I do not have money to invest in backgrounds and external flashes. Any ideas for homemade backgrounds? I have seen ideas for sheets, shower boards and felt. Do these work well? Any other cheap ideas?
I really need these ASAP.

[swift_wraith]

try this link, i've tried it with an orange dye and it came out great (used an old bedsheet - flat sheet as opposed to fitted because theyre bigger)
Cheap DIY (Homemade) Muslin Photography Background | DIYPhotography.net

also look up different ways of tying the bundle to get different effects on the muslin/bedsheet

[richardpcrowe]

You can often pick up used movie/slide screens at Goodwill or other second hand stores for a pittance.

What you would want is a white screen - not one of the metallic types.

Another low priced alternative is a white window shade.

You can sometimes find window drapes or foam type blankets in resale stores. This type blanket can be found new at Wallmart in various colors. A light blue of gray is nice.

Finally, you can often find remnants of material in fabric stores. Upholstery fabric stores often have great choices.

You can thumb tack the fabric to a wall or throw the fabric over the back of a door. You can also fabricate a background holder very inexpensively from PVC irrigation pipe.\

Adorama paperboard backgrouds are another fairly inexpensive option.

406022 Savage 40" x 60" Muslin Style Silk Screened Rigid Paperboard, Atlantis, Light to Medium Blue Swirls

Adorama has a nice selaction of BG materials:

Flash/Lighting