How to Build Your Own Background Stand

Besides a camera and studio lights, a background -- also called backdrop -- is an important piece of equipment for photographers. However, you need a stand to hold the background up. Commercial background stands can cost hundreds of dollars, but with some PVC piping and connectors, you can make your own background stand. You have the option of gluing the sections together if you're keeping them in a permanent studio, or leaving them separate so you can disassemble the background stand to transport it more easily.

Things You'll Need

• Three 6-foot lengths of 1-inch PVC piping
• Four 12-inch lengths of 1-inch PVC piping
• Eight 6-inch lengths of 1-inch PVC piping
• Six 1-inch T connectors
• Two 1-inch L connectors

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Put one 6-foot PVC pipe inside the vertical opening of one of your T connectors.

   • 2

     Put one 12-inch PVC pipe into two openings of the same T connector. Affix another T connector to the end of each 12-inch pipe.

   • 3

     Place your 6-inch pipes into the openings on your T connectors you just joined. Now you have the base of your stand.

   • 4

     Repeat Steps 1 through 3 to make the second support.

   • 5

     Link one L PVC connector to the top of each of your stands.

   • 6

     Place the last 6-foot pipe into two L connectors, making the cross bar that will complete your background stand.