I had an idea to build a false 'window' and make it look as though the models were standing near a real window to the outside. I knew that I could fill the wndow with different prints, and make it appear that they were not always in the same location in every shot.
Early experiments with the window were somewhat disappointing. The prints are 24" high x 36" wide. The frame and top piece are made of 1" x 3" furring strips, and the legs are 2" x 2" rough stock lumber. There is a large section of dark blue poster board above and below the print, inside the curtains. I had hoped that the blue poster board would give the appearance that the window was bigger than just the size of the print.
The curtain hardware is fastened directly to the top crosbar and the bottom of the frame. I placed the print directly on the wood, and shined light from my umbrellas directly on the window. This frontlighting made the print look exactly like a print in a wooden frame.
In the last picture above, you can clearly see the reflection of the key light (direct light for the model's face).
I decided to build a lightbox to light the prints from the rear. In the next pictures, I built a deeper frame for the print using the 1" x 3" furring strips. I lined the frame with a string of C7 night lights, and lined the print backing cardboard with tinfoil. The results were less than stellar. My umbrella clearly shows in the picture next to Trixie.
In the next pictures, I built a deeper frame for the print using 2" x 6" raw lumber. I place three 36" flourescent lights inside the frame and attached the foil-lined cardboard backing. The fixtures are held in place by two verticle sections of 1" x 3" furring strips.
The finished wood frame on the front was intended for a doorway, but I cut it down to size for the window. This gives the window more of a natural appearance. I made slots behind the finished woodwork. I can remove the sheet of pexiglass so that I can have access to the flourescent tubes. I can also change the pictures. There is a light switch on the left side of the frame just behind the support leg.
