<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:wfw="http://wellformedweb.org/CommentAPI/" xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" xmlns:sy="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/syndication/" xmlns:slash="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/slash/" > <channel> <title>DIY Craft Photography</title> <atom:link href="/tag/backgrounds/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" /> <link></link> <description>Product photography for handmade goods</description> <lastBuildDate>Sun, 09 Feb 2014 05:41:41 +0000</lastBuildDate> <language>en-US</language> <sy:updatePeriod> hourly </sy:updatePeriod> <sy:updateFrequency> 1 </sy:updateFrequency> <generator>https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5</generator> <image> <url>/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/cropped-DIYC-site-icon-32x32.png</url> <title>DIY Craft Photography</title> <link></link> <width>32</width> <height>32</height> </image> <item> <title>30 Free Backgrounds for Photos (From Around Your Home!)</title> <link>/free-backgrounds-for-photos-household-objects/</link> <comments>/free-backgrounds-for-photos-household-objects/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[M. Johnson]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Thu, 14 Nov 2013 08:00:22 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Photo Styling]]></category> <category><![CDATA[backgrounds]]></category> <category><![CDATA[budget]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">/?p=486</guid> <description><![CDATA[I’m always on the lookout for cheap or free things to use as photography backgrounds, and I’m always surprised at how much I can find just by looking at things laying around my house. Chances are you’ve got plenty of inspiration tucked away in drawers or closets. Go on – dig ’em out! You won’t...</p><p><a class="more-link" href="/free-backgrounds-for-photos-household-objects/">Read More</a></p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_842" style="width: 363px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/30_free_backgrounds_around_house_pinterest.jpg"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-842" class=" wp-image-842" alt="30_free_backgrounds_around_house_pinterest" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/30_free_backgrounds_around_house_pinterest.jpg" width="353" height="291" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/30_free_backgrounds_around_house_pinterest.jpg 441w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/11/30_free_backgrounds_around_house_pinterest-300x247.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 353px) 100vw, 353px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-842" class="wp-caption-text">Click to share me on Pinterest!</p></div> <p dir="ltr">I’m always on the lookout for cheap or free things to use as photography backgrounds, and I’m always surprised at how much I can find just by looking at things laying around my house. Chances are you’ve got plenty of inspiration tucked away in drawers or closets. Go on – dig ’em out! You won’t know what you have until you start looking!</p> <p dir="ltr">Here are <strong>30 of my favorite household-objects-turned-photo-backgrounds.</strong></p> <h1 dir="ltr">Free Backgrounds for Photos</h1> <p>Here’s just a few photo-background friendly things you probably already own:</p> <div id="attachment_830" style="width: 317px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/placemats_as_free_backgrounds_for_photos.jpg"><img decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-830" class=" wp-image-830 " alt="placemats_as_free_backgrounds_for_photos" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/placemats_as_free_backgrounds_for_photos.jpg" width="307" height="230" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/placemats_as_free_backgrounds_for_photos.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/11/placemats_as_free_backgrounds_for_photos-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 307px) 100vw, 307px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-830" class="wp-caption-text">Placemats and towels are simple, go-to backgrounds for craft and food photography</p></div> <p dir="ltr">1. Woven placemats</p> <p dir="ltr">2. Wooden cutting board</p> <p dir="ltr">3. Cookie sheet</p> <p dir="ltr">4. Brick mantle</p> <p dir="ltr">5. Wool blanket or sweater</p> <p dir="ltr">6. Wooden door (painted or not)</p> <p dir="ltr">7. Folded linen towel</p> <div id="attachment_810" style="width: 317px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/cookie_photography_on_cookie_sheet.jpg"><img decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-810" class="wp-image-810 " alt="cookie_photography_on_cookie_sheet" src="/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/cookie_photography_on_cookie_sheet.jpg" width="307" height="230" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/cookie_photography_on_cookie_sheet.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2014/01/cookie_photography_on_cookie_sheet-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 307px) 100vw, 307px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-810" class="wp-caption-text">A cookie sheet’s soft reflective surface is an excellent background for your small crafts (and foods!)</p></div> <p dir="ltr">8. Canvas tote bag</p> <p dir="ltr">9. Chalkboard</p> <p dir="ltr">10. Paper grocery bag</p> <p dir="ltr">11. Open book</p> <p dir="ltr">12. Stack of books</p> <p dir="ltr">13. Window sill</p> <p dir="ltr">14. Wrapping paper</p> <p dir="ltr">15. Seat cushions</p> <p dir="ltr">16. Clothing – denim and patterned shirts in particular</p> <div id="attachment_844" style="width: 317px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/fabric_swatches1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-844" class="size-full wp-image-844 " alt="free backgrounds for photos fabric swatches" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/fabric_swatches1.jpg" width="307" height="230" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/fabric_swatches1.jpg 307w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/11/fabric_swatches1-300x224.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 307px) 100vw, 307px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-844" class="wp-caption-text">Fabric from earlier projects live a second life as bright and beautiful photo backgrounds.</p></div> <p dir="ltr">17. Kitchen table</p> <p dir="ltr">18. Kitchen countertop</p> <p dir="ltr">19. Doilies</p> <p dir="ltr">20. Decorative napkins</p> <p dir="ltr">21. Woven baskets</p> <p dir="ltr">22. Stairs & railings</p> <p dir="ltr">23. Wooden chair</p> <p dir="ltr">24. Driveway / walkway</p> <p dir="ltr">25. Back patio or deck</p> <div id="attachment_496" style="width: 317px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/key_bark.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-496" class=" wp-image-496 " alt="tree bark photograph jewelry" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/key_bark.jpg" width="307" height="205" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/key_bark.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/10/key_bark-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 307px) 100vw, 307px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-496" class="wp-caption-text">Tree bark makes an interesting prop for small product photography.</p></div> <p dir="ltr">26. Tree bark</p> <p dir="ltr">28. Decorative fabric</p> <p dir="ltr">29. Painter’s canvas (try the backside of a wall painting)</p> <p dir="ltr">30. Bed linens</p> <h1 dir="ltr">3 Things You Probably Shouldn’t Use as Photo Backgrounds</h1> <h2>1. Carpeting</h2> <p>Alas, even for us carpet-lovers, carpeting’s out of style. You can get away with photographing your trinkets on a hardwood floor (or a convincing lookalike), but carpet as a background just doesn’t give off great vibes. Carpet is easily recognizable, it’s got little to no character of its own, and it cheapens your handmade trinket by placing it on what is obviously a floor.</p> <h2>2. Bathroom tile</h2> <p>Unless your bathroom has gorgeous marble floors, your tile and grout probably look a lot like… tile and grout.</p> <h2>3. Newspaper</h2> <p>One exception: vintage newspaper. But the latest USAToday is going to look cheap and cartoonish – until, of course, you keep it so long that it turns into VINTAGE NEWSPAPER!</p> <p dir="ltr">What’s your best already-own-it photography background find? Tell us in the comments!</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>/free-backgrounds-for-photos-household-objects/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> </item> <item> <title>Black Background Photography: The Secret… is Velvet</title> <link>/black-background-photography-velvet/</link> <dc:creator><![CDATA[M. Johnson]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Mon, 02 Sep 2013 07:00:51 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Photo Styling]]></category> <category><![CDATA[backgrounds]]></category> <category><![CDATA[black]]></category> <category><![CDATA[photography]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">/?p=578</guid> <description><![CDATA[I’m fascinated by black background photography. Solid black backgrounds are so bold and beautiful, but they are rather difficult to achieve with amateur equipment. I bought a number of (what I thought were) black placemats, only to be disappointed as they turned out grey and pale in photos. PVC, polyester, cotton, felt, black paper –...</p><p><a class="more-link" href="/black-background-photography-velvet/">Read More</a></p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I’m fascinated by black background photography. <strong>Solid black backgrounds</strong> are so bold and beautiful, but they are rather difficult to achieve with amateur equipment. I bought a number of (<em>what I thought were</em>) black placemats, only to be disappointed as they <strong>turned out grey and pale in photos</strong>. PVC, polyester, cotton, felt, black paper – <strong>all of them</strong> go about <strong>20 shades lighter</strong> <strong>when photographed</strong>.</p> <p>This isn’t to say that off-black backgrounds aren’t beautiful in their own right, but if you need a pure black background, cotton and poster board aren’t going to cut it.</p> <p>Enter <strong>velvet</strong>.</p> <p><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/6_different_black.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-579 aligncenter" alt="6_different_black" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/6_different_black.jpg" width="512" height="386" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/6_different_black.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/08/6_different_black-300x226.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p> <p>Velvet is lush, rich, and <em>black</em> – and it <strong><em>stays that way in photos</em></strong>.</p> <p>The easiest place to get a sheet of velvet is your local fabric store. Unfortunately, my 1-yard swatch of “premiere” velvet wasn’t going to come cheap. My local JoAnn Fabrics wanted $30/yard for velvet cut straight from the bolt. Fortunately, the <strong>remnant bin</strong> delivered a discounted almost-a-yard sized piece for $26.42 (plus several more rolls –<em> always check the remnants!!</em>). Still, this is hardly a steal, but my 40% off mobile coupon took the total price for that almost-yard of velvet to $14. That’s <strong>much</strong> better.</p> <p>Read more about <a href=" /joann-mobile-coupons">JoAnn mobile coupons here</a>.</p> <p><em>Note: Be sure to get “premiere” velvet, not stretch velvet or any of the other lower priced “velvets”. They’re not as dense and I can’t vouch for their photographic results. If you need a black background, go for the good velvet, it’s worth it and you’ll get a lot of use out of it</em>.</p> <p><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/velvet_roll.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-583" alt="velvet_roll" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/velvet_roll.jpg" width="512" height="341" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/velvet_roll.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/09/velvet_roll-300x199.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a></p> <p>So, how does the black velvet look in photos?</p> <div id="attachment_590" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/black_background_photography_jewelry1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-590" class="size-full wp-image-590" alt="black background photography cotton vs velvet" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/black_background_photography_jewelry1.jpg" width="512" height="203" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/black_background_photography_jewelry1.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/09/black_background_photography_jewelry1-300x118.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-590" class="wp-caption-text">To be fair, I love the result on the left. But if solid black is what you need, velvet is the way to go.</p></div> <div id="attachment_591" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/black_blanket_roll.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-591" class="size-full wp-image-591" alt="black background photography velvet" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/black_blanket_roll.jpg" width="512" height="384" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/black_blanket_roll.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/09/black_blanket_roll-300x225.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-591" class="wp-caption-text">It’s like it’s in <i>space</i>!</p></div> ]]></content:encoded> </item> <item> <title>Beyond the Pale: 6 Alternatives to White Backgrounds</title> <link>/6-alternatives-to-white-backgrounds/</link> <comments>/6-alternatives-to-white-backgrounds/#comments</comments> <dc:creator><![CDATA[M. Johnson]]></dc:creator> <pubDate>Sun, 25 Aug 2013 07:00:44 +0000</pubDate> <category><![CDATA[Composition & Techniques]]></category> <category><![CDATA[backgrounds]]></category> <category><![CDATA[bokeh]]></category> <guid isPermaLink="false">/?p=152</guid> <description><![CDATA[White backgrounds are definitely in – just visit Etsy on any random day and take a look at the featured items! A white background is the current favorite, but experimenting with alternative backgrounds for your photos can be hugely rewarding. Play up your product’s personality, make it pop – experiment and have fun. Stand out in...</p><p><a class="more-link" href="/6-alternatives-to-white-backgrounds/">Read More</a></p>]]></description> <content:encoded><![CDATA[<div id="attachment_459" style="width: 522px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/etsy_white_backgrounds.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-459" class="size-full wp-image-459" alt="Bland? Many crafters agree!" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/etsy_white_backgrounds.jpg" width="512" height="411" srcset="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/etsy_white_backgrounds.jpg 512w, /wp-content/uploads/2013/09/etsy_white_backgrounds-300x240.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-459" class="wp-caption-text">Bland? Many crafters agree!</p></div> <p>White backgrounds are definitely <em>in</em> – just visit Etsy on any random day and take a look at the featured items! A white background is the current favorite, but experimenting with alternative backgrounds for your photos can be hugely rewarding. Play up your product’s personality, make it pop – experiment and have fun.</p> <p><strong>Stand out</strong> in a sea of whites and greys with these <strong>6 alternatives to white backgrounds</strong>.</p> <h1>1) Black</h1> <p>Moody and powerful,<strong> black makes a statement</strong>.</p> <div id="attachment_433" style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/large__79676694.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-433" class="size-full wp-image-433 " alt="six alternatives to white backgrounds for your photos black" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/large__79676694.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-433" class="wp-caption-text">photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/slipstreamblue/79676694/">bloody marty mix</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/2.0/">cc</a></p></div> <p>Black backgrounds hide shadows and imperfections. Light and white colored products get lost in white, but demand attention against black. Reflective black backgrounds project a feeling of <strong>sophistication and quality</strong>.</p> <p>Experiment with <strong>black fabric</strong> (especially velvet), black <strong>plastic or acrylic</strong>, and even black <strong>electronics</strong> such as a flat-screen computer monitor for a black matte surface or a tablet for a glossy black surface. A trip to your local thrift store will yield many black vases, trays, and other surfaces to use as a photograph background for your products.</p> <p><em><strong>Just watch out for…</strong></em></p> <ul> <li><strong>Lint</strong></li> <li><strong>Finger smudges</strong></li> <li>Black that turns <strong>grey</strong> once lit and photographed</li> <li><strong>Reflections</strong> of the ceiling, surrounding area, or your camera in shiny objects</li> </ul> <h1>2) Text</h1> <p>The written word is a<strong> simple</strong> yet <strong>stylish </strong>way to fill the backgrounds of your photos. Shoot at an angle and let the words a few inches from your lens blur to easily create a sense of depth.</p> <div id="attachment_439" style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/alternative_background_text.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-439" class="size-full wp-image-439 " title="6 alternatives to white backgrounds for your photos text and books" alt="alternative_background_text" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/alternative_background_text.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-439" class="wp-caption-text">Steampunk key necklace from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/VooDooBunny">Voodoo Bunny Clothing Co.</a></p></div> <p>Books, handwritten letters, sheet music, magazines, foreign languages, and even the comics section of your local paper can all be great backgrounds that complement the character of your product.</p> <p>Pay attention to <strong>font size, word density,</strong> and <strong>the spacing between lines</strong>. The necklace shown in the image to the left didn’t look as nice over a different book where the text was larger and the lines further apart.</p> <p>When posing your product be aware of the eye’s tendency to “read” left to right. Position your text in a way that feels natural to the eye. If the flow of text in your background is angled oddly or upside down, it might become distracting.</p> <p><em><strong>Just watch out for…</strong></em></p> <ul> <li><strong>Readable text! </strong> Make sure the focus is squarely on your subject (and not on <em>50 Shades of Grey</em> behind your object <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f609.png" alt="😉" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /> ).</li> </ul> <h1>3) Wood</h1> <p>Wood is an incredibly versatile photo background: it can be <strong>dressed up or down</strong>, made <strong>bright or dark</strong>, and offers plenty of <strong>texture</strong> and <strong>subtle detail</strong>. It’s all in how you style it.</p> <div style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/large__8054821205.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="six alternatives to white backgrounds wood planks and boards" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/large__8054821205.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Weathered wood planks give a sense of history and perhaps coziness to an image. <br /> photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fiery-phoenix/8054821205/">Fiery-Phoenix</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">cc</a></p></div> <p><strong>Whitewashed + weathered</strong> = casual, shabby chic</p> <p><strong>Dark + rich</strong> = sophistication, masculinity</p> <p><strong>Worn + grey</strong> = autumn, coziness</p> <p>Your home probably doesn’t have perfectly-weathered floorboards (bathed in perfect lighting, no less!), but wood surfaces are so common it’s easy to overlook them.</p> <p>Here are just a few places to look for wood suitable for photo backgrounds:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Park benches</strong></li> <li><strong>Backyard decks</strong></li> <li><strong>Picnic tables</strong></li> <li><strong>Fences</strong></li> <li><strong>Cabinet doors</strong> (easy to remove and lay flat, if you’ve got a drill or screwdriver handy)</li> <li><strong>Desks </strong>and<strong> dining room tables</strong></li> </ul> <p><em>Feeling handy? </em></p> <p><strong></strong>You can build your own bit of fake floor by creating a<strong> floor drop</strong>! Floor drops can be purchased ready-made, but making your own is easy and <em>way</em> less expensive.</p> <p>Head over to your local home improvement store and purchase a few wooden boards and a small container of <strong>wood stain</strong> <em>(rich or pale, up to you!)</em> or<strong> paint</strong> <em>(any color!). </em>Nail the boards to a single strip of wood to create a patch of floor, and then stain or paint the whole thing to your liking.</p> <p><strong>LittleInspiration</strong> has a <a href="http://littleinspiration.com/2013/01/diy-floordrop-for-food-or-product-photography.html ">fabulous tutorial for creating your very own, under $5 floor drop</a>.</p> <p><em>Feeling clever? </em></p> <p>Head on over to your local flooring store and pick out a few sample boards of hardwood or laminate floors to borrow for a day. Photograph your crafts, then return the samples.</p> <p><em><strong>Just watch out for…</strong></em></p> <ul> <li><strong>Splinters!</strong></li> <li><strong>Dirt on outdoor surfaces</strong></li> </ul> <h1>4) Nature</h1> <p><strong>Rocks, leaves, flowers</strong> – the possibilities are nearly endless when you use nature as your background.</p> <div id="attachment_455" style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/alternative_background_nature.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-455" class="size-full wp-image-455 " alt="alternatives to white backgrounds for craft photos nature bark" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/alternative_background_nature.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-455" class="wp-caption-text">A piece of bark and a tree stump make a natural background. <br /> Steampunk key necklace from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/VooDooBunny">Voodoo Bunny Clothing Co.</a></p></div> <p>Look for colors and textures that complement your product instead of competing with it. You don’t want your gorgeous silver necklace getting lost on a grey rock.</p> <p>Need something that’s out of season or out of climate for you? Try your <strong>local craft store</strong> for an overwhelming selection of <strong>realistic-looking fake leaves and flowers</strong>. The aquarium section of your local pet store offers plenty of glittering pebbles, and large, beautiful rocks.</p> <p>The best way to find great nature backgrounds is to take your craft products and camera outside and just start looking around. The photo at left was taken with a chunk of tree bark found on the ground – we didn’t set out looking for it, we just found it digging around in our own yard. Your yard and local park are full of potential photo props you haven’t even <em>thought of</em> yet, so go out and explore!</p> <p><em><strong>Just watch out for…</strong></em></p> <ul> <li><strong>Bugs and dirt</strong> – nature is natural! <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/72x72/1f609.png" alt="😉" class="wp-smiley" style="height: 1em; max-height: 1em;" /></li> </ul> <p> </p> <h1>5) Patterned Fabric or Paper</h1> <p>You won’t know what you have stashed away until you start looking, so dig deep in that basket or drawer of fabrics you’ve got stashed away. Placemats, drapes, duvet covers, fabric – you’ve probably got tons to work with right there in your home!</p> <div id="attachment_437" style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/background_alternative_fabric_small.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-437" class="size-full wp-image-437 " alt="alternatives to white photo backgrounds patterned fabric" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/background_alternative_fabric_small.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-437" class="wp-caption-text">Paisley fabric and cozy indoor lighting create an old-timey mood for this necklace. <br /> Steampunk key necklace from <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/VooDooBunny">Voodoo Bunny Clothing Co.</a></p></div> <p>If you need your fabric to stand upright, pin the fabric to the back of a sofa or clip it to poster board.</p> <p>Also consider brown wrapping paper, holiday wrapping paper, canvas bags, and textured paper.</p> <p><em><strong>Just watch out for…</strong></em></p> <ul> <li><strong>Distracting patterns</strong> – keep the focus on your craft product!</li> <li><strong>Wrinkles and folds</strong> – much easier to press out before you take photos, harder to remove in Photoshop</li> </ul> <h1>Bokeh Background</h1> <p>You’ve seen this effect before: extremely out of focus lights become bright circles in the background. The term “Bokeh” refers to the “out of focus” area of a photo, often the background. The word comes from the Japanese “boke”, meaning “blur”.</p> <div id="attachment_434" style="width: 160px" class="wp-caption alignright"><a href="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/large__4266283238.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-434" class="size-full wp-image-434 " alt="alternatives to white backgrounds bokeh blur" src="/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/large__4266283238.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-434" class="wp-caption-text">photo credit: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/seyyed_mostafa_zamani/4266283238/">seyed mostafa zamani</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/">cc</a></p></div> <p>Point and shoot cameras tend to focus on… everything, making it difficult to capture a sharp subject with a blurry background. To get a bokeh effect with your point and shoot, try putting your camera into Macro (flower) mode or Portrait mode, or zooming all the way in and standing far away (a tripod will help).</p> <p><em><strong>Just watch out for…</strong></em></p> <ul> <li><strong>Bad looking blurs</strong> – Your foreground object must be in sharp focus to pull off a successful bokeh effect. Don’t let your photos end up looking amateurish in attempt to get a neat effect in the background.</li> </ul> <h1>More Inspiration</h1> <p>iheartnaptime.net has a fantastic post called <a href="http://www.iheartnaptime.net/my-photography-tips/">My Photography Tips</a> that shows off some of her background staging techniques. Seriously, check it out – the texture and depth she adds with simple props and techniques are incredible!</p> ]]></content:encoded> <wfw:commentRss>/6-alternatives-to-white-backgrounds/feed/</wfw:commentRss> <slash:comments>1</slash:comments> </item> </channel> </rss> <!-- Performance optimized by W3 Total Cache. Learn more: https://www.boldgrid.com/w3-total-cache/ Served from: diycraftphotography.local @ 2024-06-28 17:49:36 by W3 Total Cache -->