| There is a never ending quest for a 'different' | | | | heavy cardboard. Making an X from two |
| look in theportraits we take. One easy way to | | | | rectangular pieces of cardboard, I stapled the |
| inject interest in a portraitis to add a prop or two | | | | circle on top, creating an instant round table. |
| to the scene,. After a few years, you may have | | | | Cutting a piece of white Dacron for a table cloth |
| too many props adorning the walls, floor and | | | | that just reaches the ground results in beautiful |
| ceiling and you may have to discard some and | | | | natural folds. On top can be placed a bouquet of |
| make new ones. | | | | flowers, a candle, missal or white gloves and |
| Some of my favorite props have been and 1890s | | | | placed in the near background of the Communion |
| tricycle, a 1910 iron and wood sleigh, a white | | | | picture. |
| wicker sleigh/bassinette and a couple of faux | | | | One prop that has many uses is white nylon tulle. |
| marble columns. The wicker sleigh made it easy | | | | Used to cover flower arrangements, antique |
| to prop up wobbly babies and when leveled with | | | | boxes or any accessories in the background, it |
| foam and a blanket, supplied a nice base for | | | | imparts to these artifacts a smoky ethereal |
| tummy shots. Of course we couldn't do without | | | | atmosphere. The lowered contrast and softening |
| the ubiquitous baseball. | | | | of detail allows more emphasis to be placed on |
| The marble columns came plain white plastic so I | | | | the main subject while adding interest to the |
| painted them to simulate real marble. First I | | | | composition. The white tulle is especially effective |
| prepared four buckets with white, light gray, | | | | on a near white background. Large amounts of |
| darker gray and black water paint. Latex is fine. I | | | | tulle can represent clouds or water. |
| placed the bare column on a large plastic sheet | | | | For a rustic look, several four foot weathered |
| and quickly painted one side of the column with | | | | barn boards can make a country look background |
| the white paint. A handy hose set at fine mist | | | | for children's head shots. This easily made prop |
| then wets down the | | | | can be stored in a small area. A small section of |
| Wet paint. Applications of the light and dark gray | | | | white picket fence can be part of a beach scene |
| latex and sprayed with water allows the colors to | | | | or a Huckleberry country look. An eighteen inch |
| blend naturally. After all sides are completed, a | | | | long log with rough bark provides a handy place |
| feather dipped in black latex and drawn randomly | | | | for young feet or to straddle. A taller log is handy |
| along the surface supplies the final touch. A c oat | | | | for resting elbows and log sitting. |
| of clear acrylic will protect the surface for many | | | | Try to use only one prop at a time and follow a |
| years. | | | | central theme. |
| For Communions, I cut a 30 inch circle out of | | | | |