Monday, October 19, 2015

$2 Woodgrain Photography Backdrop: One Step Professional Photo Set-Up for Blog or Product Shots


I had this vision for a wood photo backdrop for my new soap brand but I didn't feel like building one! No thanks! I have things to do and nailing boards of wood together in my workshop-less apartment wasn't one of them. But then I remembered the trusty woodgrain print contact paper I've used for other crafts and created my own beautiful backdrop for less. I love the flat, kitschy artifice of it, too.


My supplies are simply foam core and contact paper I picked up from Dollar Tree.

From there, just apply your contact paper to the board. It's better to this a little bit at a time so you don't experience too many wrinkles and bumps. Smooth out bubbles as you go with a straight-edge.


And just like that you have a beautiful photo backdrop.


They it even makes my generic mug and scissors look pro with good lighting and a click or two in photoshop.


The dollar store doesn't have the best selection of contact paper, but I like have a few textures to play with. The grey one at top looks suspiciously like 90s sponge paint! Haha! I'll keep shopping second-hand for patterns than fit my brand.


And if you use limit the depth of field with an SLR and blur the backdrop you can't even see a seam on the backdrop at all! I love having woodgrain for shooting white items that would get lost on my regular white background.


Have fun taking creative photos! I have several more backdrops to knock-out (this time, in fabric, a harder process) for e books and product photos. Having a large selection just makes the process so much funner and pictures more dynamic!

Other Backdrop Ideas: Simple Fabric Backdrop | IKEA Roller-Blind Backdrop | Photo Station

What do you use for a backdrop if you shoot photos? I do want to invest in some professional lights, backdrops and stands, they are very professional looking and convenient, but my cheap $4 ones work fine for now!
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37 comments:

  1. ChelseyOctober 19, 2015 at 3:43 PM

    This is such a smart idea! Thank you so much :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VanessaOctober 19, 2015 at 3:44 PM

      No prob, figured I'd share it since I was making a bunch at once. Hope it's helpful :)

      Delete
  2. dreneewilsonOctober 19, 2015 at 4:51 PM

    How creative and economical! Kudos!!! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VanessaOctober 20, 2015 at 11:24 AM

      Thanks. I'm going to make a bunch of not-cheap ones with expensive fabric. Now this ones a challenge. Irons, boo... :P

      Delete
  3. EmmylouOctober 19, 2015 at 6:13 PM

    Love this, Vanessa, and totally stealing it:D I usually just use our dining table with its cheap table runner as background sometimes coz I'm so lazy. I should do something like this.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VanessaOctober 20, 2015 at 11:24 AM

      Yep, this is on my desk and dining room table. Covered-up the scratches and made everything like-new again.

      Delete
  4. Hollie Black-RamseyOctober 19, 2015 at 8:19 PM

    Aw cool! Looks great!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. MelissaOctober 19, 2015 at 9:41 PM

    Very cool idea, V! Love that poster too. Super cute and timely :) When I take photos I often go for a white background. I haul a white piece of fabric onto my patio so that I get the natural light :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VanessaOctober 20, 2015 at 11:26 AM

      I have tons of windows so I use my white shutter screen or a white piece of foam core indoors. Oops, just remembered I didn't link to my past posts on the subject. Your photos are gorgeous, btw :)

      Delete
    2. VanessaOctober 20, 2015 at 11:31 AM

      Couldn't help it with the Halloween sign, it's my favorite season :)

      Delete
  6. daydreamsdustbunniesOctober 19, 2015 at 10:17 PM

    What a great idea. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Tania PelletierOctober 19, 2015 at 11:09 PM

    I love this idea as well as the others linked below this post Vanessa! I just started a new blog called Etsypedia (a blog dedicated to opening and running a successful Etsy shop) - http://etsypedia.blogspot.com/ - and when I get to the part in my posts to talk about taking photos of products for Etsy shops I'd love to link to your examples!

    For my photos I use 3 old, chippy white cabinet doors. Here's my Etsy shop if you would like to see: http://littlevintagecottage.etsy.com.

    Tania

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VanessaOctober 20, 2015 at 11:31 AM

      The door photos are beautiful, I love the textures!

      Thanks so much, I'd love it if you linked the examples. I have a few more in the archives, too:

      http://www.vanessaalvarado.com/2015/06/easy-diy-photo-backdrop-idea-simple.html
      http://www.vanessaalvarado.com/2014/01/ikea-hack-diy-modify-easy-roller-blind.html
      http://www.vanessaalvarado.com/2013/12/diy-thrifty-photo-taking-station-for.html

      and for product photo taking tips:

      http://www.vanessaalvarado.com/2013/02/product-photography-basics-boost-sales.html

      Delete
    2. Tania PelletierOctober 20, 2015 at 9:32 PM

      Awesome! Thank you :o]

      Tania

      Delete
    3. VanessaOctober 23, 2015 at 1:28 AM

      No prob!

      Delete
  8. RandomGoodsVintageOctober 20, 2015 at 10:57 AM

    such a perfect idea. I am so going to try that! Thanks so much for the awesome tip!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VanessaOctober 20, 2015 at 11:26 AM

      Do it! :D I like a big variety of backdrops, makes work funner.

      Delete
  9. CheapchickOctober 20, 2015 at 12:16 PM

    That background is brilliant - definitely looks real in the pictures and was cheap too - a win win!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Jackie JardineOctober 20, 2015 at 4:54 PM

    Another great idea, V! I've been using an off-white cotton/poly blend fabric for my item backdrops because it was simple, and for the most part resisted wrinkling. But I am looking for something new. This, I might just have to try.

    <3 Jackie @ Let's Go Thrifting

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VanessaOctober 20, 2015 at 5:22 PM

      Just the plain white of the foam core would work well, too, before you add the paper to it. I've used that but for the white bg I default to my roller blind: http://www.vanessaalvarado.com/2014/01/ikea-hack-diy-modify-easy-roller-blind.html

      I have a client that's letting me use her photo cube at night but I prefer natural light and a cheap backdrop, actually, for a clean white bg.

      Delete
  11. JayOctober 25, 2015 at 7:46 PM

    I've been using this idea as well for my Etsy photos as well. So easy to change out and it's great for photography. Though right now I am just using white and black poster board, from Dollar Tree of course.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. VanessaOctober 25, 2015 at 9:11 PM

      I just bought a bunch of foam core to paste fabric on. I love having the variety for blog post and book photos.

      Delete
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