How to make a backdrop for photography in under 15 minutes
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Covid 19 blues? So … how about something constructive? Some fun, and some value add repurposing!
Like most, we’ve been stuck at home for over 6 weeks. My outings are limited to grocery shopping runs and quick solo walks around the neighborhood. Many goods arrive by magic at my doorstep in cardboard boxes (thanks Mr. Amazon).
So, I had a go at this - maybe you’d like to try as well
Making a photo backdrop at home became my only option of getting a new one, I wanted a new background to spice things up creatively + I needed it fast to photograph fresh flowers.
I had to think outside of the box (well, actually, turns out it’s inside the box!).
Necessity - the mother of invention?
Most tutorials I found online rely on plywood, tiles, pellets and vinyl as a base. I didn't have any of those materials at home and didn’t fancy venturing out into a hardware store. Cardboard was the only material I had on hand, thus I had to give it a go.
My color choices were limited by left over paint samples. I knew I needed pink for spring-themed shoots and had a pot of powder pink and coral pink chalk paint handy, along with white to lighten and desaturate the backdrop ( acrylic, and regular latex wall paint works just as well).
The paints you choose need to be matte, not glossy, fast drying, well pigmented and opaque.
The project had to be simple, quick and fun for me to do it, as I had limited time, zero experience, and was low on patience. I painted this backdrop in 7 minutes and had it dried and in service in 15 minutes. I was so impressed with the results that I wanted to share it with you.
Materials:
Large cardboard box (you will need a section that at least 22 x 16” though larger would be better with up to 34 x 21“)
Paint (sample pots, acrylics, chalk paint) - white + 2-3 few shades of the same color - I used these paint pots
Dishwasher sponge
Gloves to protect hands (optional)
Paper plate to load paints on (optional)
Process:
I cut a large rectangle out of a box, then used a sponge to cover the entire area in white. Then I started dabbing different shades of pink on top with a sponge to create an interesting contrast. I used some white to mix with pinks to create different shades, but generally I just applied a color at a time without any vision. Sometimes there was an overlap in pink paints, sometimes there wasn't. I used the darkest color sparingly and finished with slightly diluted white dabbed on top of the pink.
The photos I shot using this backdrop got the highest engagement on instagram. It was an easy sustainable project. The backdrop is light and portable, easy to store.
The resulting backdrop had natural texture and color that worked extremely well with:
still life (cups and flowers)
food (cookies and home baked bread)
product photography
If you liked this, think of a friend - perhaps they’ll like it too? Please tag me when you try - would love to see what you create!
