What's your quick DIY background support?

I don't have any type of background support system. It's been on my shiopping list, but it hasn't been a front-runner. Turns out I need one for tomorrow. There are no local brick & mortar photo supply shops I can get to tonight.

Doesn't have to be long lasting/durable, just need to be able to hang the drops in the living room and elsewhere. Thumbtacks/nails and similar are out of the question.

Any ideas?

Gaffer tape.

If you're not using paper, though, what about the rods the current curtains are hanging from right now?

Go to Home Depot, Lowe's, or a good hardware store. You can buy ten-foot sections of electrical "thin-wall" conduit (steel electrical tubing, also known as EMT) there. I'd suggest at least the 3/4" trade size (actually just under an inch outside diameter) or larger.

You could use 2x4 wood for supports. Drill holes in one end of each of two 2x4s just larger than the diameter of the EMT. Lean the rig against a wall and the tubing will hold any background you'd need to hang. Cut the 2x4s to length to get the tubing held at your desired height.

i have cloth drops.

I did try a few months ago to find some type of configuration of PVC, but didn't think about the conduit. Looks like I'll be going to Home Depot on my way home tonight.

I was also thinking about using light stands. I think I have enough, but how would you secure the drops to them? I'm almost thinking rubber bands at the top, or some type of clamp, but I think it may sag too much in the middle without any support.

Oh, and we don't have curtains, just blinds. but I'll take a look at them tonight and see if I can see a way to hang from them.

It might be a stretch to make by tomorrow, but I've used two of these with another 1x2 spring clamped horizontally between them successfully in the past.

http://www.diyphotogra​phy.net …solution-for-3d-lighting/

Don't pay for good lumber either, in the back they should have furring strips for less that $1.50 each.

If you have lightstands you can tie a curtain rod to them, then just weigh them down with sandbags.

schrod wrote in post #17034054
It might be a stretch to make by tomorrow, but I've used two of these with another 1x2 spring clamped horizontally between them successfully in the past.

http://www.diyphotogra​phy.net …solution-for-3d-lighting/

Don't pay for good lumber either, in the back they should have furring strips for less that $1.50 each.

I think I'll give this a try. Definitely should be the cheapest route. Although the wife isn't going to like seeing these. I may use the conduit instead of the wood, so I can leave it outside without caring about the weather.

A sturdy aluminum curtain rod will work, 1" to 1-1/4" in diameter. Get one long enough for the width of your background. A telescoping curtain rod longer than you need will sag less if you don't extend it all the way. Mount it across two light stands by drilling a hole in each end to fit over the stud mount on the light stands, usually 5/8". You can also drill a smaller hole on top so you can secure the curtain rods with wing nuts to the studs. An alternate method is to buy two spring clips. They usually have a hole under the vinyl ends you can remove and secure with a hex nut. Once mounted you can clamp the curtain rod in place.