19th century backgrounds

Jesper

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I was lucky enough to win an auction for three 19th century backgrounds yesterday and now I just have to go and collect them. I've been lusting for backgrounds like these for quite some time and now it's playtime. (Hopefully I managed to attach images of them)
Anyone using old canvas background here on apug?
What kind of props do you suggest?
 

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  • background2.jpg
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  • background3.jpg
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Gerald C Koch

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You will also need an urn or a plinth.
 

David A. Goldfarb

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Fantastic!
 

Barry S

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Those are fantastic--as a wet plate artist, I'm jealous! It's very rare finding 19th c backgrounds--very rare! Those are in beautiful condition, too. For background #1, a 19th c "fainting couch" for portraits of the ladies, or at the very least, a plush bench. A small table with a tall vase. An elegant study chair for portraits of the gents.





For the #3 background, some rough-hewn walking sticks and old canvas ruck sacks. Have fun!
 
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Jesper

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Thanks for all the advice. I'm lucky enough to have a canapé (fainting couch) from the 1880s, two armchairs and a table from the 1890s but of course I need to get a fern and an urn. I will also need to get a half column (I might have to build that one myself. I'm really looking forward to testing the backgrounds. This will be fun.
 

Gerald C Koch

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It all sounds like great fun! Please post some examples when you can.
 

cliveh

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I once read an interesting description about the use of 19th century photographic backgrounds, where they would swing the background cloth on a board behind the sitter (a sort of reverse panning effect) to create a blurred background and thus enhance the relative sharpness of the subject. I don’t know if anyone does such a technique today?
 
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