With more than twenty million ecommerce sites in the world, there is intense competition. A great way you can stay ahead of this competition is to invest in product photography, or you can do it yourself. If you opt for the latter, you must understand what backdrops to use.
The secret is to go out of the box and experiment. You can choose from backdrops, such as vinyl, solid colors, rugs, metal trays, paper, fabric, rocks, black sand, and many others. But, of course, the one you select depends on your product and other requirements.
So, if you are confused about the best product photography backdrops for your business, you have come to the right place. Here are the top ones you can choose from.
1. Vinyl
Recently, vinyl backdrops have become incredibly popular among product photographers. That is because vinyl is a reliable and durable material because it is thick. Besides that, you can also choose between solid-color vinyl or marble backdrops, depending on your preferences.
Vinyl also comes in many textures you can choose from, such as matte, glossy, and much more. Of course, the matte vinyl is excellent because it does not cause any glare or reflection. Preparing the vinyl backdrop is also easy because you just need to clean it with a cloth.
After cleaning, it will look great as new again. So, don’t forget to consider this backdrop for your product photography.
2. Solid Color
Solid color as a backdrop will always remain a classic, as you can use it to capture your audience’s attention. You will notice that most e-commerce websites use solid color backgrounds for their product photography. You can choose between a neutral or white background, or you can go with vibrant colors.
We recommend not opting for very bright colors because they will steal the focus away from your product. You have to choose a color that complements your product in the best way possible. Because of this, many businesses go for neutral colors, as it keeps the focus on the product intact.
For example, a white background is perhaps the best one as it will have the lowest impact on your product. On the other hand, colors such as beige, grey, or off-white will help you highlight your product in the picture.
Of course, each brand has unique needs. That is why you must decide which one will suit your products and needs in the best way possible.
3. Rug
Are you on a budget and don’t want to spend too much on product photography? If that is the case, then a white rug can serve as the perfect backdrop. Many small businesses use such rugs when they do product photography on their own and don’t have the budget or the supplies.
However, it works because it offers a nice and clean texture for your product photography. Of course, you can also select a colored rug based on the color of your product. You will easily find a rug at home that you can use to take product photos.
Just make sure that there are no patterns on it and that it offers a clean texture for the product photos. A white rug is versatile and will work with all sorts of products. These include fashion, accessories, books, candles, and much more.
4. Metal Trays
Yes, you can even use a metal tray as a backdrop, as it is easy and versatile to use. It is one of the top backgrounds that people use when they are doing dark food photography. The best part about this backdrop is that it doesn’t matter if the tray has stains and scratches.
Such scratches and stains will make the photos more meaningful and offer a darker mood. You can also use both sides of the tray, as they tend to be a little different and offer a unique texture to the user. Keep in mind that when you use these trays, you should check that they are not reflective.
If there are any reflections or glares, they will show up in your product photography. We recommend that you use dark metal trays to ensure that there are no reflections to hinder your product photography. These are ideal for when you want to take moody and dark product pictures.
5. Paper
Paper may sound simple in theory, but it is a great backdrop if you are new to product photography. That is because it is available in many textures and patterns that will help you diversify your product photography. For example, you can use seamless paper to take simple pictures of your product.
On the other hand, if you want to add some flair or drama, you can opt for old newspapers, wrapping paper, book pages, or much more. You can experiment and see which one suits your product photography in the best way. Keep in mind that using seamless paper as your backdrop is not as easy as it sounds.
That is because the paper is relatively heavy, and you will have to use a sturdy stand to hold it in place as you take pictures. Besides that, if you are using any other paper, we recommend that you make it dimensional so you can use it as you like. Keep experimenting and see what works best with your product.
6. Fabric
With a fabric background, you have endless options at your disposal that you can choose from. That is because fabrics come in different colors, patterns, textures, and much more. Most of these fabrics will help you add depth to your images and create a mood that you like.
For example, if your target audience is mostly women, then a fabric background can be the ideal choice for your product photography. You can wrap items such as jewelry or accessories in lace or silk and create the mood that you want. On the other hand, if your target audience is male, then a leather fabric background might work best.
Thinking about the target audience and their gender is incredibly important in selecting the right fabric. It can make all the difference in conveying your desired mood and message. Keep in mind that this is a process of trial and error, so it might take you a few tries to get the backdrop right.
7. Rocks
You might be thinking that is an odd backdrop to have for product photography, but it works really well. If you want to create a conceptual photo for your products, then using rocks can be a perfect choice. For example, if you are selling high-quality watches, then you can use rocks as the perfect backdrop.
The durability of the stones will help draw a parallel with the quality of the watches. You can also use stones when you are photographing jewelry items. The best part about using rocks as a backdrop is that you will easily find them no matter where you are.
Besides that, you can play with the stones and their arrangement to create a scene that will work best with the products. If you want to go for an atmospheric and moody environment, then be sure to choose darker rocks. On the other hand, if you want to add an element of nature and light, then lighter-colored rocks will work best for your needs.
8. Black Sand
Black sand is one of the best backdrops for product photography that will help you create a luxurious yet stylish background for your pictures. Many businesses use this background when they want to give a fancy look to their product and its photos. The texture also adds depth to the photograph and ensures you get the most out of it.
If you are wondering where to buy black sand, you will not have to look too far. You can easily find the sand at a pet shop, it will come with the label of aquarium use, but you can use it as a product photography backdrop. A pro tip we would offer you is that you can even create patterns in the sand.
For example, if you want to take product photos of jewelry, you can create circular patterns in the sand and keep the jewelry items in the middle. It will give off a luxurious and fancy look that will help the jewelry to look more dramatic and fancy. So, be sure to experiment with different patterns you can create in the sand.
9. Wood
It doesn’t get better than wood if you want to exude comfort and warmth in your product photos. It is one of the best materials that you can use as a backdrop for many products. There are different forms that the wooden backdrop is available, such as the floor, door, furniture, and much more.
The good thing about wood is that you don’t have to stick to classic wood. Instead, you can also paint the wood black if you want to offer some mystery and luxury to your products. However, if you want to give a comfortable feeling, then you must use the wooden backdrop as it is.
You can use the backdrop for home décor items, holiday gift products, tableware, clothing, and much more. Of course, the type of wooden background you select will depend on the mood you want to convey. Once you figure this out, you can take some fantastic product pictures with a great background in no time.
10. Tin Foil
You can create some of the most beautiful and creative photo backdrops using tin foil. That is because you can crumple the paper so that it offers some dimension and depth to the product. After that, we recommend that you place your products at least six feet away from the backdrop for the best results.
However, when you are doing such product photography, the backdrop is not the only thing that will give you a perfect shot. Instead, you should set a wide aperture, as it will help you get a beautiful shot with the background and product. You will have to keep working with different angles and take lots of pictures, as it can be tricky to work with a tin foil background.
We recommend that you take as many pictures as you wish from as many angles as possible. Once you do, you can select the ones you think are best for your brand. Be sure to edit it during selection, as sometimes the tinfoil can give a reflection or glare.
11. Nature And Greenery
If you are selling organic or natural products, then there is no better backdrop for you than nature and greenery. You can take pictures of the product with grass, flowers, plants, and much more. It is one of the best ways to make your product photo composition livelier while adding colors to it.
Many cosmetic brands use the power of nature and greenery to take great pictures. Of course, if you don’t already have a lot of greenery, then it can be expensive to invest in new plants and such items. If you want to save your cost, you can always get fake plants and flowers to use as product photo backdrops.
After that, you can keep reusing the fake greenery for your product photos. So, fake greenery can be a worthwhile investment if you are selling natural, earthy, or organic products. The backdrop will offer you use for a long time to come.
12. Foam Board
A foam board is one of the most popular choices for people doing food product photography. If you are also selling baked goods or food, then this can be a great backdrop choice for you. You can use the foam board as a surface to lay your products.
Besides that, you can also place the foam board behind your products to serve as a backdrop. Whatever you choose, it is an incredibly versatile backdrop choice that will aid you with the best food pictures. It is also budget-friendly and will not break the bank when you purchase it.
You can also use it for other products that you are selling. However, if you want this backdrop to shine and help you get effective results, then you must use it for food photography.
13. Tiles
Yes, tiles can also serve as a great product photo background. These backdrops are the perfect choice for tabletop photography. The backdrop is available in different textures, colors, sizes, shapes, and much more.
As a result, you will find the perfect tile backdrop that will suit your product in no time. You can also select a tile backdrop depending on the mood you want to convey. For example, a black tile backdrop will serve well if you want to convey elegance and luxury.
On the other hand, if you want to convey an earthy and natural mood, then you can use slate or neutral-colored tile backdrops for your photos. The secret is to understand what you want to convey to the audience and find a tile backdrop that meets that description in the best way.
14. Brick Wall
A brick wall is a great way to ensure that your product naturally looks better in the photographs. Of course, it also depends on the type of product you are photographing. You can use the backdrop for natural products, organic products, and many others.
For example, if you are selling wooden or bamboo tableware and cutlery, then the brick wall can prove to be a fantastic background. It will offer an air of warmth and a natural element to your product photos. Keep in mind that brick wall backdrops come in endless textures and colors that you can choose from.
The one you select will depend on the type of product you are selling and what you want your customers to think about the business. These backdrops are widely available at many online stores, so you will find one in no time. Invest in one that will suit all your product pictures in no time.
15. Patterned Backdrops
You can use any pattern you like as a backdrop for your product pictures. However, you can also use an image editing tool to remove the original backdrop and replace it with a pattern. Of course, if you don’t know how to use such advanced tools, then investing in a patterned backdrop will be the ideal solution for you.
These backdrops are cost-effective and come in unique patterns, colors, shapes, and more that you can choose from. You can select a pattern depending on the mood you want to create. For example, if you want to create a positive mood, you can select bright and vibrant patterns.
On the other hand, if you want to convey order and structure, then we recommend that you opt for geometric patterns as they give a clean look. In the end, it comes down to the type of product you are selling and your target audience.
16. White Background
If you are taking product pictures for Amazon, then the white background is the best option for you. It is the most consistent background that will help you ensure that the focus remains on your products. Besides that, the versatility of this background is like no other.
You can take pictures with a white background and later edit them to add color or pattern to the background if you wish. Of course, if you are doing Amazon product photography, then we recommend that you stick to a white background only. Most ecommerce websites opt for white background photography.
Such a background is ideal for reducing clutter and showing the product in all its glory. So, if you have an online store, we recommend that you shoot products using a white background.
17. Powder
Do you have a makeup or cosmetic brand that you want to photograph and promote? If you do, then using powder is one of the best ways to add some texture to your product photos. For example, you can keep the products in the powder and create imprints to offer depth to the product photo.
On the other hand, you can also use a powder that has a contrasting color to the products you are selling. It will help you make the product picture more unique and stand out from your competitors. Remember that this backdrop is not ideal for all types of products.
Instead, it will work best with makeup, beauty, or cosmetic items. Select the right colors and pair them with your products to see what will work best for your product photography.
18. Liquid Splashes
Finally, the most creative backdrop idea you can opt for is liquid. You can use the liquid to drop the product and create a splash as you take a shot. Such shots are popular with juices, beauty products, perfumes, makeup, and much more.
For example, if a perfume has a fresh scent, then you can drop the bottle in the water and take a shot as it creates a splash. It will convey the idea that the perfume has a fresh and breezy scent. On the other hand, if you sell cosmetic liquid products, such as lotions, you can use milk to create this splash.
You have endless options at your disposal, and such product photos can help add some movement and depth to the photos. So, if you are selling any such products, you can experiment with this type of backdrop for your product photography.
Final Thoughts
These are the top eighteen photography backdrops for photographers that you can choose from. The backdrop you select will depend on the type of product you are shooting, the target audience, the brand voice, and much more. You must keep all these elements in mind to select the perfect backdrop for a product photo.
As a brand, you must select a professional product photographer that understands all of these elements. Once you do, you will have some fantastic product pictures for your brand in no time.
