Can't afford those beautiful but expensive textured backdrops for your food and beverage photography or maybe you just like the idea of making your own unique version? Check out this video for a fun and affordable way to create your own.
Don't fret if you're not a dab hand at woodworking or tool-handling, because you don't even need to be that good at DIY to make these basic backdrop boards. In this video, food photographer and educator Skyler Burt, from We Eat Together, effortlessly guides you through all the materials you might need and steps to take in order to make your own unique wooden backdrops.
While not all food photography backdrops are super expensive — like these faux wood, laminated paper backdrops — the cheap stuff can sometimes look a little off. And being cheap often means that many other photographers are using the same style, which will certainly have an impact on the uniqueness of each shot. At the other end of the scale, the better-made backdrops can be a little pricey, so depending on your attitude towards DIY, making your own might be the best option. And of course, depending on the outcome, it might be the most rewarding — not just in terms of accomplishment, but also in distinctiveness. You have complete control over the texture and finish, so each one will look different, and you can create them according to your own style or whichever particular project you're working on.
Do you create your own backdrops?
Terrific video!! I've been making my own mounts and frames for about 5 years. I've been thinking about some sort of backdrop for still life photography, but haven't done it. Maybe now would be a good time.
One thing you might want to try is getting some inexpensive pine, 1X6 or 1X8, and lightly burn it with a propane torch, then stain it. I've done this with some of my wildlife photo frames and it looks pretty neat. Gives the otherwise plane looking wood some 'personality'.
Those are comb joints or finger joints. If you ask for tongue and groove, you'll get something totally different. Though you could use tongue and grrove to make a nice backdrop.
And please predrill your screwholes. It will limit the risk of splitting the boards significantly.
that was pretty amazing! over christmas i started an adventure to decorate my walls and just got to the kitchen, so i'm going to definitely use some of these tips!