Home >> Hobbies >> Photography

Setting Up a White Backdrop for Product Shots

When taking product photography, it is important that your products are the main focus of the picture. If the background of a photograph is too busy, the eye will be distracted from the main subject and become interested in the background as well. By eliminating contents in the background, the only focus of the photograph will be your product. White backgrounds can make your products stand out and give your photographs a polished and professional look. In most cases, setup takes just a matter of moments using materials that most people will have in their homes.

Things You'll Need

White poster board, matte
Scissors
Tape

Instructions

- 1
  Setup a table or similar flat surface in a well-lit area. When choosing a location, keep in mind that you will need easy access to electrical outlets to plug in your lights. Set the table up against a wall or a similar flat surface that extends past the top of the table.
- 2
  Cut the sheet of poster board to a suitable size for your product. Cut the width down to 2 inches wider than the width the finished photograph will be. Cut the length of the poster board twice as long as the background will be. Do not crease, fold or damage the poster board in any way.
- 3
  Tape one end of the poster board to the table and tape the opposite end to the wall so that half the length of the poster board is on the table and the other on the wall. Gently roll the poster board at the seam of the table and wall. Do not crease or bend with the seam. This should give you a seamless white background. Place your lighting setup around the backdrop and begin taking shots of your product.

Photography