Do you struggle with taking photos of your products and/or creations? I used to put off taking pictures until the last-minute. It was such a set up to find a good place, make sure it was clean, worry whether the background was clutter free (and clean), and want something other than the sterile white all the time. Trust me, I’ll still use my handle foam boards for clean white backgrounds, but I wanted something more custom for me. Hence, my quest to create Easy DIY Photography Backdrops that are quick to set up and easy to store!
[Tweet “Create your own custom Easy DIY photography backdrops”]
I considered using some extra pieces of wood here at the house, but decided to take a trip to Lowe’s Home Improvement store. I even talked hubby into going with me (that was easy)! We looked at more luan similar to the stuff we used to rebuild Glinda. We also looked at beadboard, plywood, and regular lumber.
Instead we found craft boards. These were pieces of wood cut thinner and smaller that can be used on different projects on a smaller scale. I ended up making two double-sided backgrounds. I painted one my signature turquoise-teal color, one white, and two were stained. I also created one side of each background with 3″ boards and the other with 4″ boards. To make each board 24×24″, I needed to add a filler piece on each side. PLEASE NOTE:** Lumber never comes in true measurements anymore. 4″ wide is actually a 3.5″ true measurement. 3″ is 2.5″ and 2″ is only 1.5″. So, don’t be thrown by my math. (though I do hate math) I might add more combinations later, but for now, I can interchange the background and foreground pieces for different combinations and/or clip on foamboard for a white background.
[Tweet “Be careful when buying lumber. It rarely comes in true size”]
Here is what you will need:
- 12 pieces 3/8 x 4 x 24 craft board
- 20 pieces 3/8 x 3 x 24 craft board
- 2 pieces 3/8 x 2 x 24 craft board
- wood glue
- stain and/or paint
- paint brush
- heavy box or clamps
- Lay out and abut 9 pieces of 3″ craft board (leave a teensy space to look like planks. Add one 2″ board to one end and square up to ensure you have 24″ square. *see notes on true wood measurements*
- Apply wood glue in sections and lay 6 each 4″ craft board with 1 single 3″ craft board perpendicular to your base layout.
- Add heavy boxes or clamps and allow to dry overnight.
- Stain and/or paint each side as desired.
- Repeat steps 1-4 to create one ore more double-sided panels.
- I use 3″ clamps to hold up backdrop board piece when setting up for photos.
Lay out your panels to create a 24″ square. Leave a tiny space (teensy) so your panels will look like planks.
Apply a tiny amount of wood glue in sections to glue opposite panel pieces perpendicular to your original layout. Don’t add too much glue or it will seep out and make a mess. The glue will also create a resist on your chosen finish. I used larger 4″ craft boards on one side and smaller 3″ craft boards on the other. And NO, I did not remove the stickers. I just made sure to make sure they were on the glue side. Why waste my time trying to peel them off when they will be covered?
I still hadn’t unpacked my studio from the move yet, so I used a heavy box to compress the two sides together while drying. Once you create the first one, the second one is even easier.
I stained all four sides of each of my panels. I also chose to leave one narrow plank side and one wider plank side with stain only. This will give me variations when setting up my backdrops. For my stain, I actually used my Tim Holtz Distress stains in Walnut mixed with Gathered Twigs. Note, since this is a Distress stain, you will need to use a fixative if adding layers of paint. Stain will bleed into your paints. I knew this going in, but chose to use supplies on hand and wanted a distressed look for my final pieces so I was OK with a little bleed through.
This is one layer of white paint dry brushed over a stained panel. I did not use the foam brush for application, only to take a quick photo to see if the white was enough. Nope, I wanted more white so I added a few more layers. I used a white satin latex paint I had left over from painting Glinda.
On the other panel, I selected a side to paint with same technique, but using turquoise as first layer and teal as second. I used DecoArt Fluid acrylic paint for this.
After many light layers, it was too glossy using the acrylic paint. The glossy surface was too reflective as you can see in the photo above. I could have sanded here, but I loved the colors.
So, I pulled out more leftover paint from Glinda’s restoration. It was a lighter turquoise teal but with a latex satin finish. TaDA!!!! Perfection! Isn’t that yummy. By working in very light dry brush layers, you still pick up all the texture of the wood grain. I love it. It also dries quicker.
[Tweet “Work in light drybrush layers to pick up texture of woodgrain when painting for distressed look”]
Look at the different backgrounds I can make. My whole little setup is easy and quick to put together out on the back porch where I get indirect light – even best early morning when I’m also at my best.
Does it make a difference? I think so. I needed to update new workshops and I think I got some great photos. PS. These are all classes I’ll be teaching this year. 🙂
Bare minimum edits were required for these photos. I really only adjusted the exposure setting and cropped a little tighter. I’m so happy. Oh, and the best part, they fold up pretty flat for easy storage. Mine store under my craft desk in between the boxes of drawers on the floor. The slide in and fit perfectly and are out-of-the-way.
Now I won’t dread setting up a place to take photos and I know I always have a beautiful backdrop ready to go. My colors will also go with almost any project I create. Granted, it will not yet work for my large canvases. I’m still working on a solution for that. I’ll get back to you when I find that one. Do you have any great backdrop ideas? I’d love to hear about them. Feel free to link your backdrop ideas below or email me. I’d also like to hear about suggestions for photographing large paintings.
Live your Art Life!
Great ideas Cheryl and very easy to follow instructions too! Thanks for sharing!
Great idea! One that I will be using!
Thanks for sharing!
WOW! this is awesome 🙂 Love all the natural light you have in your studio too- I struggle with that this time of year and have limited space- but am pinning this for when i have more space some day! 🙂 thank you!
Thanks Jenn. I found the back porch the best place to set up and take pictures. It’s so easy now with this set up. Everything stores out of the way, and I can pull out my backgrounds, set them up, and start taking photos. And I love that I can switch it up. I have some more ideas to make it even more versatile and I’ll share those when I try them out.
This is really amazing! Thanks for creating such an easy to follow tutorial. I currently use a bristol board on my dresser for my photos, but it’s not sturdy at all, and I get tired of the sameness of it. I will definitely look into doing something like this, though I’m a little nervous since I’ve never done anything like this before!
Natalie, you can definitely do this. If you can glue and paint, you can do this! Let me know if you do. I’d love to see! Thanks so much for commenting.
Great topic! It’s definitely a hassle to figure out how to take photos of things sometimes. I really like this idea – simple and easy to construct.
Thanks Michael. It definitely helped me save time and get more professional looking shots.
Awesome! I’m about to embark on some photo backdrops. Photography improvement is something that has been on my “to do” list for my blog since the beginning (nearly 3 years ago!). Thanks for the inspiration. Pinned it!
oh Thank You!! These were easier than I thought to create. You could do it this weekend! Please let me know if you do, I’d love to see how you finish yours and use them.
Great post! Will definitely try and follow your tutorial. Thanks for sharing.
Fatima | http://www.blogsbyfa.com
I would love to see how you finish yours. Please share when you do! I love mine Thanks for stopping by
I’ve been meaning to do this! I currently use a vinyl backdrop, but would love a real wood look. Do you know who much this cost? It looks simple to make!
You can definitely do this. It was easy and they store quite easily too. It cost me about $30 for each double-sided set including lumber and clips. I used paints and wood glue I already had around the house. I’d love to know if you make one.
That is so pretty! Maybe I will luck out and my hubby will make it for me for yule!
Thanks! I encourage you to try this. It was really easy to do and didn’t require any tools at all. You got this – You can do it.
Thank you very much for sharing these tips. I appreciate it a lot. I struggle with this all the time. Dust on the floor, spaghetti sauce splatter I didn’t notice until I looked at the photo, scratched up counter from not using a cutting board “just this time.” I’m making a list of supplies for the next time we go into the city.
Oh Robin, I so hear you! That is EXACTLY why I made my own backdrops. It has helped me so much. I’m thinking on ways I can even expand on these a little. I’ll be sharing some more ideas in the next few weeks on that! 🙂 Let me know if you make one. I’d love to see yours.
Thank you for the tips on the backdrop, I have been looking into buying one. I have used different things to produce that look, but I gotta say, it’s hard work. So thanks. Joe @ http://www.mydaddoes.com
I’m glad you found this useful. I hope you’ll try this one. It was truly quite easy to do! Let me know if you do.
Thank you so much. What a great idea you shared, and at a time can really use it! You are awesome
Brilliant idea. Love being able to use either side.