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How to Build a PVC Backdrop Frame

Even with the best subjects and state-of-the-art equipment, photography is not an easy job. Lighting and backgrounds are essential for good photos, and a backdrop will transform even the busiest, most cluttered room into a professional-looking studio. Professional backdrop frames are expensive and difficult to use, but you can transform a few pieces of PVP pipe and a little glue into a cheap, sturdy frame.

Things You'll Need

Four 6-foot-long sections of 2-inch-diameter PVC pipe
Three 8-foot-long sections of 2-inch-diameter PVC pipe
Hand saw
PVC glue
Two 2-inch PVC elbow joints
Two 2-inch 5-way PVC fittings
Heavy fabric, such as canvas

Instructions

- 1
  Cut each of the four 6-foot-long sections into two 3-foot-long sections with a hand saw. Lay the pipe on a steady, even surface and cut straight through the pipe, applying downward pressure as you move the saw back and forth for a clean, smooth cut.
- 2
  Brush a thin ring of PVC glue around one end of each of the 3-foot sections, and insert the ends into the north, south, east, and west-facing holes of the 5-way pipe fittings. This will create two, cross-shaped bases for your backdrop frame.
- 3
  Lay the 8-foot sections out in a large, inverted ̶0;U̶1; shape on the ground. Apply glue to the upper end of the left-side pipe, and slip an elbow joint over the pipe with the open end facing the center piece of pipe. Repeat the gluing process on the right pipe, securing the elbow joint to the top of the pipe.
- 4
  Slip the center piece of pipe through the top of your backdrop fabric, and add glue to both ends of the pipe. Push the pipe into the left and right elbow joints, and leave the PVC frame undisturbed overnight to dry.
- 5
  Pick up the frame, and insert the frame into the remaining holes in each of the bases. Push down firmly on the pipes to keep the frame from shifting during use, but don̵7;t glue them in case you need to take the frame down for storage.

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