DIY Product Photography Backdrop
PLUS A Brand Photographer’s 3 Tips for Better Lighting
DIY Project: Canvas Photography Backdrop
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If I have learned anything over the years from selling my work online, it’s this: quality product photos means higher sales. Some e-commerce platforms like Amazon require a white background. Others, like Etsy, your own website, or even social media just require high quality images - often the more visually interesting the better!
I have learned a lot about product photography from my friend and amazing brand photographer, Kate Cherry. And after 10+ years as a professional photographer, it’s safe to say she knows how to take great product photos. Kate has agreed to share some of her best tips for achieving better lighting in this post. Keep scrolling to read more on that.
Why make a backdrop for your product photos?
Maybe you’ve used a professional photographer in the past, and they had a number of handy backdrops to highlight your product. That’s awesome!
Maybe you are a photographer looking to up your flat lay game with a new backdrop and ready to roll up your sleeves with an easy DIY solution. Go you!
Or maybe, you are an artist, blogger or small business working SO hard to grow your brand. You might not yet have the budget for a professional photographer - and that’s okay! - but you still know great product photos are essential. You are absolutely in the right place!
Why make your backdrop with a cotton canvas roll?
It’s easier than you might think. It takes less than an hour plus dry time. Which means you can make this today and use it for your shoot tomorrow. Canvas is lightweight which makes it easy to cary anywhere. This backdrop is so, so much lighter than my wooden backdrop. Roll canvas comes in a variety of sizes and it cuts easily for a custom size. Lastly, it’s easy to use and easy to store. Okay I think you get it. Now let’s make this backdrop to highlight your incredible products.
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This blog post contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission to fund my calligraphy and caffeine habits if you use these links to make a purchase. You will not be charged extra, and you’ll keep me supplied in ink and caffeine. It’s a win for everyone, really.
Here's what you'll need:
Sponge Brushes
Acrylic Paints (I like using FolkArt, Americana and Martha Stewart acrylic paints)
Newsprint to protect your surface
Water jar
Here’s how:
Step 1 - Unroll the cotton canvas and cut to your desired size. I was working with a 5 foot by 3 foot roll and cut it in half to make two 30”x36” backdrops. This is a great size to showcase a variety of products.
Step 2 - Cover your work surface with newsprint. I have a roll of kraft paper that I use for shipping packages that comes in handy for just such projects. Once your surface is covered, unroll your canvas. It should lay mostly flat, but you can pin it down in the corners with a paper weight or rock if its rolling on the edges.
Step 3 - Grab your brushes (I used sponge brushes) and a jar of water. Select 2-3 paint colors for depth and interest. I used mostly white, with dabs of light pink and coral. For a soft colored backdrop, use mostly white paint and hints of accent colors.
Step 4 - Paint your canvas. You can use a palette or simply squeeze the paints directly onto your canvas. To achieve the blended, cloud-like look of my backdrop, paint in circular motion with a very wet brush. If you have a sponge brush, you may find it handy to blend with the large flat side.
TIP: I found that the canvas took a LOT of paint. Not just because of the size, but rather the cotton canvas absorbed the paint making it tricky to get good coverage or blend the paints the way I was hoping. A quick fix I found was to load the brush with water
Step 5 - Allow the canvas to dry according the the instructions on the back of your paint bottles. My canvas was dry to the touch in just a few hours. If you need to adjust the color or touch up any sections, you can add another layer of paint. My backdrop was a bit darker than I wanted so I touched it up with a bit more white paint. And voila!
Step 6 - Take some magical photos with your gorgeous new backdrop. For tips on getting the BEST possible lighting when using your photo backdrop, keep reading to see what professional photographer Kate has to say. And when you’re finished, the canvas backdrop easily rolls up to be stored away.
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Kate’s tips for better lighting
Light is a powerful tool, so use it well. It can make the difference between a flattering photo or one that’s not so flattering. It can set the mood and tone for your images either making them quite moody and dramatic or fun and light. Tips to keep in mind when taking images of yourself:
Natural light is easiest to use. Being outdoors or near a window/open door makes for some great opportunities for flattering light.
Be sure not to mix light sources. In other words, if you are trying to take a photo of yourself near beautiful, even window light, turn off any indoor lights you may have on at the time. Different sources of light have different temperatures or “colors,” and mixing those colors can make an image come out less than flattering. Traditional indoor lamps often cast a yellow hue on things while fluorescent lighting casts a cooler blue shade on people and objects. Outdoor lighting tends to be the most neutral color and is often the most flattering on you as the subject.
Time of day matters. If you’re outdoors, choose a time that’s closer to sunrise or sunset to get the best light of the day to avoid harsh shadows across your face that can lead to unflattering images. If you don’t have a choice but to photograph in the middle of the day, either choose a day that’s overcast or position yourself so your back is toward the sun, not your face. If you’re indoors, choose a time of day when the sun is not shining directly in the window, but instead bounces off the walls and offers a nice filtered light across you. Be mindful of dark rooms or areas that don’t offer a lot of nice natural filtered light opportunities. Your best bet, if that’s all that’s available to you, is to step outside and get a nice photo in the shade.
Thanks, Kate! You can find out more about Kate on her website.
If you make this project we'd LOVE to see! Leave a picture in the comments or tag pictures on Instagram and Facebook with @BasicInvite and @RaleighCalligraphy. And as always, feel free to Pin away! (Psst! Are you a blogger? Check out our FAQs here before reposting on your blog.)