Since most food is quite warm in tone, compositions that are warm throughout can end up looking dated.Īlso, I’ve found that the camera tends to exaggerate this orange tone. Just make sure that the background doesn’t draw the eye away from the main subject!īe careful about purchasing boards with an orange tinge. Of course, you can also choose pastels or other bright colors depending on what you’re shooting and your desired result. Shades of blue also look good, especially in dark and moody images. This will plump it up and make the setup look more attractive.Īs I emphasized in previous sections, when choosing your colors, stick to simple, non-distracting neutrals. But if you do decide to cover your entire surface with a cloth, place another layer of fabric underneath. You can use the fabric as the entire backdrop, as shown in the image below, or just to cover a portion of another backdrop. If you try shooting with cloth and like it, I encourage you to start collecting fabrics on a regular basis look in thrift shops, check out yard sales, and even search online. Note that you can use all kinds of fabrics, including sheets, tablecloths, drapes, and even clothing. This DIY backdrop is especially great for still life photography, but you can also use it for food shots, product shots, and even portraits. Once your boards have dried, test them out! Try shooting a mix of vertical and flat-lay still life scenes:

Finish with a thin coat of matte, water-resistant sealer. Grab a large sea sponge and dab the paint all over to create a blended, mottled effect. Once you have your materials, the fun begins: Take three or four similar colors, then pour them together in the middle of the board. Just make sure that all your paints and varnishes are matte even some of the satin types can cause unwanted shine in your images. You can purchase paint samples from the hardware store, or you can use craft paints. The bigger stores – like Home Depot – will cut up larger pieces for you, so if you want to save a few dollars, consider buying a larger board and getting it sliced into a few potential backdrops. To make your own wooden backdrop, buy thin plywood sheets at the home improvement store. Pieces of 2×3 feet should accommodate most setups. They look just as good as canvas, yet you can grab far more boards for far less money. That’s where painted wooden boards come in. So if you do have a larger subject, try one of the other options on this list.ĭIY painted canvas backdrops (discussed above) are great, but they can be on the pricey side, especially if you plan to experiment with lots of different colors and textures. The tiles themselves are on the small side, and while you can spend time expanding the background in Photoshop, it’s far easier to use the correct background from the get-go.

Note: Ceramic tiles, while perfect for small products and mini still-life photos, are not ideal for larger products or expansive setups. (These will enhance and complement a wide variety of products and still life subjects.) And aim for more muted and/or minimalistic colors, such as gray, black, white, or cool brown like taupe. Just make sure that the tiles you pick aren’t shiny – you don’t want to end up with glare. These tiles are easily wipeable, too, which is a bonus if you’re dealing with food or liquid products. You should be able to find a nice selection of textured tiles at your local home improvement store, and each one should only cost a few dollars. If you’re on a budget and you want a quick DIY photo backdrop solution, they’re an outstanding option. Ceramic flooring tiles are simple, they’re beautiful, and they’re really, really cheap.

Picture backdrop