Monday, June 29, 2015

Easy DIY Photo Backdrop Idea: Simple Cardboard and Fabric, Easy to Use and Store


Right now I'm in the midst of re-branding, taking photos for my new project and doing other product photos for a client. (If you need product photos or web work, contact me, I'd love to help!) I'm loving the idea of having a bunch of photo backdrops to select from on-hand and ready-to-go for taking pictures. Ideally, I'd have a huge industrial warehouse to spread and work in, but since I work from my apartment, I need to make backdrops that are easy to fold up and put away after use. Etsy has a wide selection of beautiful ones that I'll likely invest in eventually, but making your own is free or close to it and keeps your photos unique! Here's what I've been experimenting with behind-the-scenes.


It's pretty much as simple and glueing your fabric to cardboard. You can use foam core, or even poster board. I make them so they fold in half so I can hide them behind my expedit unit in my work area until needed.


I cut the cardboard in half, then duct tape the back so I can fold it and go. It helps to iron the fabric, but in most cases you can smooth it out with glue. Elmer's glue was perfect for my (50 cent yard sale!) burlap but spray adhesive like 3m Super 77 would be better for thin fabric.


It's fun to have a variety so you can stage photos with different colors and textures and see what works best for a story or editorial/branding style. I'll be here constructing a whole bunch of these!

I love using what I have for business. This may be a reductive idea but I hope it helps you brainstorm on creative photography and crafting! What do you use to take photos? Any unique tips or tricks to share?
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17 comments:

  1. Great idea, Van! I do something similar. I have a piano bench. I place a dining room chair so that it's back is against the piano bench. I drape a large piece of fabric over the chair back and piano bench, and my backdrop is ready to go.

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    1. I'll have to update and link to all the backdrops I've done over the years. I've tacked fabric to the wall and still use rollerblinds. I can photoshop out wrinkles but that takes extra time I'd rather not do so I don't drape fabric. Too OCD on my photos, haha :)

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  2. This is so awesomeee! Gotta try it with white ;)

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    1. Indeed :) Do it! This is what I used for my white background: http://www.thriftcore.com/2014/01/ikea-hack-diy-modify-easy-roller-blind.html

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  3. Thanks, Van. Great idea! Linda@Wetcreek Blog

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  4. Great idea. I love portable backdrops that can be tucked away. I would like some more unique cuts of wood too. :)

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    1. Yep, that's what I'm looking for too. :) and unique fabric.

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