Last Updated on July 13, 2016 by Babita
I have wanted to make my own food photography backdrops for quiet some time now. As you know, I feature all kinds of recipes on my blog. Having a good backdrop for my pictures is very important. So far I was using a plain 2′ x 2′ plywood (see the picture below) that I found in Home Depot. It has worked well for me and because of that I decided to use this same type of board, color it and have more backdrop/background options. I loved the process of making these, and after playing around with theย colors, I felt the two below would work well for my pictures.
Easy and Cheap Ways to Paint Food Photography Backdrops
For this project, I selected two different kinds of boards. Both the boards are 2′ x 2′. I found the size of these boards perfect. They are big enough and offer great coverage. Plus they are not too huge that I cannot handle it.
This first board is natural plywood. It costs around $4.82 and is about 1/4th” thick. I picked this board, because it looks like real wood with all its grain patterns.
The second board I selected was a Fiber Board. This too is 2′ x 2′ and costs $3.92 with 1/4″ thickness. This one is solid and does not have any grain patterns on it.
Instead of using acrylic colors from crafts section, I decided to use these paint samples. I picked the colors I liked and ask the HomeDepot assistant to prepare it for me. These are 7 oz samples and cost less than $3 each.
So I started off with the solid board. I am a red person and I naturally gravitate towards that color family. This particular color is Rusty Red. With a nylon brush I painted the whole board with this color. The color was so rich and deep that I decided to stick to only one coat.
Once the color had dried I took some pictures and absolutely fell in love with the results. Doesn’t this color look gorgeous?
For the second color, I used the Fiber board. Since I already had a dark backdrop, I wanted a lighter one. So for this board I chose the color Island Shore (from the teal family). I also wanted some of the grain patterns to be visible through the color — so I applied a different approach.
To start off, I applied the blue color over the plywood in small sections. Before the paint could dry I spread the color unevenly all over with a paper towel. I continued this process until the whole board was done.
This is the final result of the blue backdrop.
So you see how easy this whole project was. For less than $15 I was able to make two different food photography backdrops. That is not all. I can still use the other sides of the boards and create another two backdrops. I am planning to make more backdrops, but with different materials. So check back again.
also let me know …..
Which food photography backdrop/background is your favorite?
Kaycee
Great idea! I like to use fabric as well! Need to get some boards though, I’ve been wanting to get a more natural look than what I have. ๐
BabsProjects
Thanks Kaycee. I use fabrics too, however, I love to have different options.
Toughcookiemommy
I’ve always wondered how some bloggers take such beautiful photos. I can’t believe that it is so easy and cheap to make these. They really make the photos look so much better.
Kristen from The Road to Domestication
Very nice! I love to use a variety of wrapping papers, myself, but these look lovely!
Jeanine
Thank you for this! I need to make some of these this summer. I’ve been meaning to, but didn’t want to spend a ton of money to buy something – making will be so much easier! I love the blue one, what a great idea!
Amanda Ripsam
I really love the idea of the wood boards for back drops because I do product reviews and I could use different colored backgrounds for the different brands that I work with.
I love the wood boards very creative idea and inexpensive is always a plus especially on my mommy budget.
Amber Nelson
I have never even thought of making my own backdrops! What a unique idea!
Ann Bacciaglia
I am just learning how to take good photos. I love how easy these backdrops were to make.
Akhil Sharma
Choosing the best background is essential, and you have created something really cool in an affordable budget. I’ll come back again to see more of yours great work. ๐
Heather
I have a couple of boards I use. Often use realistic papers too.It’s nice to have options.
Angela
You made that look so easy. Loving how the blue turned out. This is much more affordable than the ones I purchased online.