Product photography is an essential part of ecommerce and marketing. High-quality product images help attract customers and drive sales. An important element of great product photos is the background. The right background draws attention to the product and creates an appealing ambiance that matches your brand. With some basic supplies and tips, you can easily make backgrounds for stunning product shots at home.
What is the purpose of backgrounds in product photography?
Backgrounds serve several key functions in product photography:
- Highlight the product – A plain, neutral background helps the product stand out as the focal point. Busy or distracting backgrounds compete with the product visually.
- Set a mood/ambiance – Backgrounds help convey the style and personality of your brand. They also can evoke a certain mood or feeling about the product.
- Provide context – For lifestyle product shots, appropriate backgrounds like a kitchen counter or office desk help show the product in a realistic context.
- Mask the setting – Backgrounds hide imperfections and clutter in the photo studio or product setting.
- Deliver proper contrast – Effective backgrounds offer good contrast with the product colors. This separation helps the product pop.
In short, backgrounds are a critical element that enhance product photos aesthetically and technically. The goal is a background that complements the product without overpowering it visually.
What are the different types of backgrounds?
There are several common options for product photo backgrounds:
Solid colored backgrounds
These are backgrounds in a single, uniform color like white, black, gray, or light blue. The plain backdrop helps the product stand out. Solid color backgrounds work well for most products and are easy to create.
Fabric backdrops
Fabric like muslin, canvas, or linen can make dynamic, textured backgrounds when stretched across a frame. Wrinkles and folds add visual interest. Fabric comes in endless colors and patterns.
Paper backdrops
Colored paper, craft paper, or seamless paper on a roll also makes good backgrounds. Like fabric, paper offers a softer, textured effect. Try out papers in different colors and textures.
Vinyl backdrops
Vinyl is another common photography backdrop material. It’s water-resistant and easy to clean. Vinyl backgrounds have a smooth, uniform finish. They come in an array of matte, satin, or glossy colors and patterns.
Wooden boards or acrylics
Painted wood boards, acrylic sheets, or plexiglass panels create simple backgrounds with color and visual depth. Wood grain adds natural texture.
Seamless backgrounds
Seamless paper or fabric curved around a sweep creates a continuous background without edges, lines or seams. This unbroken color helps isolate the product.
Natural or rustic settings
Natural environments like a forest, beach, or garden make organic backdrops to highlight products like outdoor equipment or give a rustic vibe. Carefully select settings to match your product.
Lifestyle background scenes
Settings like a kitchen, office, coffee shop, or store show products in a realistic context. Pay attention to styling to create an idealized but believable set.
What supplies do you need to make backgrounds?
Many household items easily transform into DIY photo backgrounds. Here are some commonly used supplies:
- Paper: Poster paper, bulletin board paper, vinyl paper, construction paper, kraft paper, wrapping paper.
- Fabric: Muslin, canvas, broadcloth, linens, fleece, cotton, wool.
- Vinyl: Photography backdrop vinyl, tablecloths, plastic sheets.
- Paint: Neutral and vibrant matte interior house paints.
- Boards: Plywood, MDF, foam boards, poster boards, acrylic sheets.
- Panels: Folding poster boards, cardboard panels, color paper board panels.
You likely already have many usable background materials at home. Craft stores offer plenty of papers, fabrics, boards, and paints as well. For vinyl backdrops, look for photography supply retailers.
How do you make solid color backgrounds?
Solid color backgrounds are a go-to choice for product shots. Here are some simple ways to make them:
Paint wood boards or acrylic sheets
Use flat or matte interior paint on plywood, MDF, or acrylic panels. Lean the boards against a wall or mount them on stands. Opt for neutrals like white, black, gray, beige, or wood tones. Add pops of color with pastels or brighter hues like light blue or green.
Use colored paper
Tape poster paper, construction paper, or wrapping paper to a wall. For tabletop shots, lay paper over the surface seamlessly. Choose thicker paper types that don’t wrinkle easily. Opt for matte over glossy finishes.
Try photo backdrop vinyl
Use backdrop vinyl on a roll stand with crossbar. Sweep wrinkles smooth and tape down the edges. Vinyl works great for a clean, consistent look. For a budget option, use vinyl tablecloths.
How do you make fabric backgrounds?
Fabric makes for beautiful soft, textured backdrops. Follow these tips for using fabric:
- Stretch fabric taut across a wooden frame and staple or tack it into place.
- For wrinkled effects, loosely drape fabric over a frame. Allow folds and drapes.
- Hang fabric backdrops on a rod with clamps. Adjust lighting to highlight or mute wrinkles.
- For small products, lay fabrics smoothly over a tabletop and pin or tape down edges.
- Use steam or an iron on wrinkled areas if you prefer a smoother look.
Natural fibers like cotton, linen, burlap, and wool provide great texture. Choose sheer fabrics for a delicate look. Matte satin or velvet offer luxurious effects. And painted canvas creates a stylish stained canvas feel.
How do you make seamless backgrounds?
Seamless backgrounds gracefully isolate the product within an unbroken sweep of color. Here are two methods to create them:
Use background paper on a roll
- Hang background paper from a pole, rod, or stand.
- Position the product a few feet in front of the paper.
- Curve the paper around on both sides to create a continuous colored sweep.
- Light the background separately to evenly illuminate the sweep.
Build a paper sweep
- Bend poster board into a wide U-shape curve and tape the sides together.
- Cover one side of the curve with background paper.
- Position the product inside the curve so the paper provides a seamless background sweep.
How do you make natural environment backgrounds?
Natural settings like gardens, forests, or beaches make gorgeous backdrops that evoke lifestyle context. Here are some tips for using outdoor locations:
- Look for scenes with soft, diffuse lighting rather than harsh shadows.
- Position the product to avoid busy elements in the background that distract from the product itself.
- Style the setting with appropriate props to complement the product and create an idealized, aesthetically pleasing vignette.
- Watch for shots with complimentary colors between the product and environment.
- Capture a variety of options and angles to select the most flattering, product-focused images.
The key is finding natural environments that work for your specific product. For example, position camping equipment in a peaceful forest scene or beach gear against tropical seascapes. Let the setting evoke the lifestyle and emotions associated with your products.
How do you make lifestyle background sets?
Lifestyle background sets show products in realistic, relatable contexts. For example, a kitchen counter set for appliance products or office scenes for office supplies. Here are some tips for creating convincing lifestyle sets:
- Study real-life environments for inspiration to design an idealized set.
- Use meaningful props to convey the space like appliances for a kitchen or desk items for an office.
- Style the set impeccably. Clean up and organize the scene.
- Use attractive items like flowers, food items, decorative objects to enhance visual appeal.
- Make sure the product stands out instead of blending into the background.
Well-styled lifestyle sets capture the product’s context beautifully. But also focus on highlighting the product itself as the hero within the set.
What equipment do you need for DIY product photography backgrounds?
You can create a wide variety of professional quality DIY backgrounds with minimal equipment:
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Background stands or crossbar with clips | Hang backdrops like fabric, paper, vinyl |
| Large clamps | Grip backdrop material taut on stands |
| Wrinkle remover or steamer | Help remove creases in fabric |
| Pins, clips, tape | Hold and attach background material |
| Paint brushes, rollers | Apply colored paint to boards |
| Staple gun | Affix fabric or paper to wooden frames |
| tripod | Hold and position lights for background |
For small products, simply use everyday items like tables or countertops as platforms for backdrops. Large pieces may require stands to mount backgrounds vertically.
What are some best practices for effective backgrounds?
Follow these tips for backgrounds that maximize product appeal:
- Choose colors that complement the product.
- Avoid busy patterns or distracting textures.
- Prefer matte over reflective or glossy surfaces.
- Watch for glare or reflections on glossy products.
- Keep the backdrop simple and subtle.
- Soft, even lighting usually works best.
- Make sure the product visually stands out.
- Consider alternate views, alternate backgrounds.
- Decide if lifestyle context is relevant.
- Style natural environments for impact.
Conclusion
An effective product photography background is all about putting the focus on the product itself. With some basic materials and DIY solutions, you can build a variety of backdrops tailored to your products and brand style. Pay attention to color, texture, context and lighting to make backgrounds that highlight your products in the best possible light.