DIY Photography Backdrop (for food or product photography)
An easy way to up your photography game with a simple textured photography backdrop for under $20. You don't need any great crafting skills to make this one, just a few simple things from the hardware store and a day to put it all together.
Servings: 2 2x2 Backdrops
Cost: $20
Ingredients
- 1 large plastic drop cloth
- 1 2x4 MDF board (particle board) - cut into half - which makes 2 boards approx. 2x2 each.*
- 900 ml spackling paste (or polyfil)
- 1 putty knife
- matte spray paint (or acrylic paint and large brush) any colour you like (I used matte black and a serenity green from Rustoleum brand for these darker boards)
- acrylic clear topcoat spray
- sponge/brush (optional)
Instructions
- Lay out the plastic drop cloth over the floor or table you will be working on. Ideally outdoors (especially if you are using spray paint).
- Working with one board at a time, spread about half the spackling paste with the putty knife over each board. You don't need to be very perfect about it. The edge of the putty knife will create some interesting ridges as you move it around the board. To keep the pattern abstract, try not to go in only one direction with your putty knife, and vary the pressure of your putty knife as you sweep it across the board to create lots of interesting texture. Once you have covered the board with spackle and like the way the texture looks, allow the board to dry for about 4 hours (check your spackling paste directions for correct drying time).
- Once your boards are dry, use your spray paint or acrylic paint to paint your boards. (If you want to leave it white, just skip to the next step). You can add layers of different colour and dab down on it with a damp sponge for a more marbled look. Or just paint it all one colour, depending on what look you are going for. For my darker board, I went with two layers of paint on each board. First layer was sprayed black. And then topped with a thin uneven layer of serenity green. I tried not to be too perfect with my sprays, so the colours are seen through each other adding a bit of depth and interest to my board. Allow the paint to dry completely (according to the instructions on the paint).
- Using the clear top coat spray, spray an even layer all over the boards. I did two coats just to be safe. The topcoat will not make the board completely waterproof, but it will make it easier to clean up minor spills on the board especially if you are using this for food photography. Note: you can just skip this part, but the surface will not be as wipeable and could stain easily. But it will have a much more matte finish.
- Allow 24 hours for the paint and seal to dry completely before using.
Notes
- I prefer to cut a large 2x4 board in half so I get two boards - one for the bottom and one for the side so I have two of the same colour for different shots. But you can keep it as one large board if you like. Or paint the two boards different colours for two different effects.