In the world of product photography, backgrounds are everything. Whether it’s dull or distracting or packs a punch and highlights your product’s best qualities, picking the right backdrop can make or break your shot. With limitless options, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when deciding on the perfect background. Here are some tips on how to make the best choice:
An easy way to narrow down your options is to first pick between a colorful background or more natural tones. Don’t overthink it. It’s simply a matter of the mood you want to set. A monochromatic, colored background can provide a powerful contrast to your product packaging. If you want a calmer vibe, go for neutrals. Natural backgrounds can help you set a scene and give your potential consumers a peek into the lifestyle your product could help them get. You can even add a few visual accessories too to complement your product.
What’s the best color for your product?
There are no hard rules when it comes to picking the best background. A classic white background can even have the right impact in the right circumstances. The first thing you need to consider is your audience. Who are you trying to grab the attention of, and what tone are you trying to convey?
Colors are often associated with different emotions and meanings. Therefore, it’s important to know what emotional responses you want to evoke in your viewers. Once you know what you’re going for, picking a powerful color is essential to help you achieve that.
Another good way to narrow down your choices is to consider which colors complement the color scheme of your product. It’s important to pick a color that looks good next to your product and doesn’t distract from the true star of the show.
You can spend a wide range on your backdrop, but you don’t need to invest a lot to get a great product shot. Instead, look around your office, anything from a houseplant to rugs to ice can all help you get the photo you’re looking for.
If you need some ideas, here are some mediums you can use to get the perfect backdrop.
Available in countless styles, from solid colors to faux marble, they are one of the most popular backdrops for product photography. It’s important to get the right finish. A glossy finish will have reflective qualities that a matte finish won’t, but be careful as it can also wash out your product photo. Vinyl backdrops are a little more expensive, but they’re durable and can easily be kept looking pristine with a wet rag. Based on the number of uses you can get out of them, they’re worth the investment.
Great for white backgrounds that are an industry standard, they are more versatile than meets the eye! You can accomplish anything from a subtle backdrop to colorful patterns (even adding props). The downside to foam boards is that they are easily damaged and are best for smaller products rather than large-scale shoots. On the plus side, they are super affordable – making them relatively easy to replace if they do get damaged.
Paper backdrops, or sweeps, are one of the most popular choices. While they are one of the least durable backdrops, they are the most affordable option available. They are great for one-time projects or people entering photography, and they come in a wide variety of colors and patterns to fit your needs.
Rugs are a great way to create a bit of texture and depth in your background. Depending on which one you pick, they can range in price from anything super affordable to bank-breaking. However, they can be heavy to lug around, so they aren’t the best option for going from shoot to shoot.
Play around with a fog machine to achieve a smokey, mysterious effect for your shoot. They’re easy to maintain and give you an ethereal effect that other mediums can’t replicate. Make sure to create a space (like a container) that will help you keep your fog from dissipating into the larger room.
Get creative! Ice can achieve all kinds of creative looks for your shoot, whether you freeze your products in it, crush it up, or make a crisp bed for your product. The only con is that it melts quickly, so you have to work fast!
KittyKat can achieve the perfect look for your product, whatever your backdrop needs are. It’s a simple matter of picking the right backdrop for your brand, and we’ll handle the rest. Kitty Kat can help you effortlessly fabricate the tone, messaging, and effect you are hoping to have on your target audience.
