It’s a valid question. After all — we’ve all googled it at some point or another. The answer is a bit more complex than the question might imply. But we have answers!
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Let’s talk about that age-old question for product photographers: “What backdrop is best for food photography?"
It’s a valid question. After all — we’ve all googled it at some point or another. The answer is a bit more complex than the question might imply. But we have answers!
When it comes to the question of what is the best backdrop for food photography, there are a few potential answers. It depends mostly on what we mean by “the best.”
For example, if we’re focusing on achieving the best possible shot for your project, it’s best to choose your backdrop based on a few key factors. However, if we aim for elegance and practicality in our equipment, there are still more factors to consider.
Is there a way to settle on one specific style of backdrop that achieves both at once? Let’s find out.
Our first question: What backdrop is best for food photography, aesthetically speaking? This is a tricky one because the answer can vary so widely depending on the type of food being photographed.
The main thing to consider when choosing your background, however, is the balance of color and texture in the image.
Color is everything to food photography. So much of how we perceive food is based on our interpretation of the colors we see. The wrong color combinations can make food look old, wilty, or otherwise unappetizing. The right colors, on the other hand, can make even the blandest veggie platters look crisp, lively, and delicious. The key is to find the right balance.
When choosing the best backdrop for food photography, it’s important to consider the colors already present in your subject. If the food is bright red, like a cherry, it may be best to select a complementary color, or perhaps a more muted analogous color, for your background. This will help to define your subject — in this case, the cherry — from its environment. In some cases, even a pure white backdrop is the perfect way to emphasize a splash of color. The right combination will preserve and emphasize the lovely red tones, keeping your cherry looking ripe and appetizing.
The question of the best background for food photography doesn’t stop there. The other essential factor in the aesthetics of your image’s background is the texture.
Like color, texture is a major signifier for the viewer as to the quality of the food. We expect cherries to look smooth with a bit of healthy shine. We expect fresh meat to look saturated and slightly damp. If the texture of the food is undermined by the background, the image may lose its power.
If we select our background strategically for texture combinations, however, we can achieve some truly incredible imagery. For the example of the cherry, we may want to compliment (and emphasize) its smooth texture with something more multi-toned and complex. Something like a green, leafy background may provide a nice contrast in terms of both color and texture. A wood grain background, on the other hand, may help to balance the textures and emphasize the warmer tones of the image.
Just ask yourself: “What looks appetizing to me?”
Now that we’ve established how to select your ideal background for the aesthetics of your food photography, let’s look at how we can achieve that with a touch of functionality and convenience. In short, what backdrop is best for food photography, practically speaking?
These days, there are a few major contenders: two of the best are rigid hard surface backdrops and printed vinyl, both of which are known for their versatility and ease of use as food photography backdrops. Let’s look at some of the features.
One of the best features to look for in your food photography backdrops is cleanliness — not just for the sake of your food, but for the sake of your equipment as well.
Certain food products, like jams, wines, and fruits, are repeat offenders for permanent stains. As a food photography backdrop, hard-surface backdrops and printed vinyl offer a surprising degree of ease for your cleanup operations. Stains wipe away easily, and water causes no damage whatsoever. The smooth and sturdy surface allows for easy sanitization, so you lose no time or money trying to buy a replacement.
Another all-too-common component of photography is the need to lug around large amounts of equipment. When it comes to the best backdrop for food photography, a lightweight and collapsible option can make a world of difference. This is one of the things synthetic backdrops do best, but especially vinyl. The surface is sturdy, but light and easily rolled up to fit into small spaces, making it far easier to store than most alternatives.
Reducing the space (and energy!) your backdrop takes to use can do wonders for your next photoshoot.
The final factor to consider before we answer our question of “what backdrop is best for food photography” is convenience.
While a stunning shot is worth all the effort in the world, your background should not be the area where you lose valuable time and energy. Instead, it’s worthwhile to invest in an option that is easy to use.
Vinyl surface and rigid hard surface backdrops both offer convenience in abundance as food photography backgrounds. Their thin and lightweight composition makes it exceptionally easy to prop, pin up, and manipulate to help you frame the perfect shot.
Busy photographers know that the opportunity for a good shot can come and go quickly. Whether it’s shooting a bowl of melting ice cream or the brief window of time when the sunset light is just right, you have to be ready on the spot.
Having a variety of backdrops on hand can be one of a photographer’s best resources in your tool box. Whether you choose rigid, vinyl, double-sided, or oversized, you want to have a veritable arsenal of backgrounds available at a moment’s notice.
Investing in your own “library” of backdrops allows your creativity to blossom so you can create truly artistic and innovative photographs. Providers like Best Ever BackDrops provide variety and affordability, giving you the chance to be as prepared as possible for any food photography opportunity that comes your way.
Ultimately, there is any number of solutions that may be right for your current project. But if we had to pick our favorite backdrop for food photography, it’s going to be printed vinyl all the way.
The cleanliness, portability, and convenience of vinyl are hard to beat, especially when combined with the versatility it offers. The vastness of the selection of colors and textures available in vinyl backdrops makes choosing for aesthetics a breeze every time. Best of all, Best Ever BackDrops® prints our vinyl backdrops on demand, meaning you’ll get the perfect background for your shot every time.
Printed vinyl is convenient, versatile, and affordable for photographers of all kinds. So why wait? Discover your perfect food photography background today at Best Ever BackDrops®.
Creative food photography is an art form that demands a keen eye for detail and a knack for presenting food in an aesthetic and appetizing way. Some innate talent is certainly preferable, but like all other art forms, creative food photography can be practiced and improved. All you really need is time — and the right equipment.
While taking pictures of food, one of the most crucial factors to take into consideration is the background. A photography backdrop has the potential to drastically improve the aesthetic of your shot, and choosing the one that is most appropriate can make a world of difference in the final product.
Let’s explore a range of the ways you can experiment with backdrops in your creative food photography.
When it comes to creative food photography, your background is of utmost significance. Not only does it help to set the tone, but it can also emphasize — or deemphasize — the myriad of colors and textures of the food being photographed.
Choosing the right background for your food photography can be challenging, particularly for those who are just getting started in the field. Yet learning how is something we can help you with.
If you want to produce the finest possible presentation for the subject of your next brand shoot, think about using a backdrop with some visual texture. Imagery like wood grain and marble are industry favorites, and for good reason.
However, experimentation is all about trying something new. The selection of unique backdrops on the market is greater than ever before. To elevate your standard food photography to truly creative food photography, take the time to try something bold with your backdrops.
Here are some ideas for where you can start:
Contrast is an essential element in creative food photography, but sometimes it can be challenging to push the limits, especially when you’re working with low-contrast subject matter like cheese, vegetables, or bread. Pulling in a strategic background can be an excellent way around this obstacle.
If you’re photographing a dish with primarily warm tones, for instance, using a backdrop that has cool tones can help build contrast, both in terms of value and color. This will make your food really pop as the subject of the image.
You may want to think about utilizing a backdrop with a dramatically different color from the subject. If you are taking photographs of mixed greens, for example, a complementary color such as deep red background may be exactly the kind of contrast you need.
Texture is another key element that should be present in your creative food photography. When you employ backdrops with texture in your work, you can improve the visual depth and interest of the imagery.
A good backdrop can also serve to complement and highlight the various textures that are already present in the subject.
Choose a background that has a texture and is complementary to the texture of the food you are presenting to get the most out of the effect. Also, consider the context in which certain textures may place your subject.
If you want to give the appearance of a home-cooked meal, for example, a rustic wood background may give the perfect impression. On the other hand, if you’re going for more of an industrial look with your meal presentation, a concrete backdrop might be more appropriate.
The use of color is an essential tool for any photographer, but especially those with a vested interest in creative food photography.
Picking the right hue for the background can really help your subject matter stand out, but be careful to ensure that your selections don’t clash. More vibrancy doesn’t always mean more emphasis; at times, too much color can overwhelm an image, causing the subject to lose its emphasis as the center of interest.
If you want to play with color in your backdrops, consider using a backdrop with colors that will complement (balance) those already present. If you’re trying to stick to a more cohesive color palette, however, consider using analogous colors to enhance the tone.
Just think of all the different kinds of green you could find in a single cucumber — which ones will be enhanced by your choice of background tone?
The impact of food photography can change dramatically when shooting from different angles.
The most common angle — 45 degrees — is taken anywhere between the top-down and straight-on angles. It’s the typical view that most cooks and eaters will see of their food. For these types of images, you’ll need either a combination of two backgrounds — one for the table surface and one for the area behind the food — or a flexible vinyl background that can fills in both areas.
You can add some intrigue to your food shots with an overhead, or top-down, angle of your camera. It’s a view most of us don’t usually see when we’re interacting with food from day to day, and it creates an artistic image of food that has nearly endless possibilities.
If you try a straight-on angle, you’ll find unique opportunities for close-ups and depth-of-field shots that can highlight certain aspects of the food such as texture or appealing ingredients like seeds, sprinkles, or decorative elements.
With any angle, a seasoned food photographer will be prepared with multiple backdrops on hand for experimentation. While there are a number of well-established “rules” for food photography regarding colors, textures, composition, and focus, veteran photographers know when to break these rules for highly creative results.
You can seriously expand the potential of your creative food photography when you consider your background a mode for experimentation. Though choosing the right backdrop can be tricky, the sky's the limit for your creativity.
Today, there are more creative and unique photography backdrops available to you than ever before — and the best place to start your hunt for your perfect background is right here at Best Ever BackDrops®.
Check out our selection to elevate your creative food photography to the next level.
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For product photographers, chasing that perfect shot is an ever-present challenge. Backgrounds are often too busy or too plain, colors can clash, and the overall composition may just feel...off.
What’s more, prop setups are all too easy to bump between shots, causing inconsistencies that can be difficult and tedious to fix. Sometimes, you may not even notice those inconsistencies until after the shoot, leaving more work to be done in the editing room.
Thankfully, solutions are available to photographers like you.
There’s a whole host of reasons to choose vinyl as your go-to solution for the backgrounds in your product photography. Compared to most alternatives, printed vinyl backdrops are affordable, versatile, durable, and convenient, making them a perfect tool for your product photography — especially food photography.
Here are some benefits of printed vinyl backdrops that are sure to win over any vinyl skeptic:
Printed vinyl backdrops come in a wide range of colors, textures, and patterns, making them incredibly versatile. Whether you want a simple, plain backdrop or a vibrant, textured backdrop that complements your product, there’s a printed vinyl backdrop out there that will work for you.
Vinyl is ideal for creating visual variety. Printed vinyl backdrops can be used for both indoor and outdoor photo shoots, making them an excellent choice for photographers who shoot in a variety of locations.
They’re also useful for a broad range of products. For example, a white marble texture can work with goods such as jewelry, personal hygiene products, dishes, or even food. Wood-textured vinyl backgrounds could also be used for any of these product categories as well as things like gardening supplies, camping gear, clothing, or holiday items.
The key to success for professional photographers is having a variety of printed vinyl backgrounds on hand so you’re ready for just about any distinctive shot.
Unlike more traditional background materials like paper, vinyl is highly durable, waterproof, and resistant to tears and stains which makes it the perfect material for a photography backdrop. Unlike paper and canvas backdrops, vinyl backdrops can be easily wiped clean with a damp cloth, making them the best solution for messy photo shoots.
In food photography, you should always expect your equipment to get dirty. But that shouldn’t mean you have to toss everything when you’re done. Printed vinyl backdrops are an excellent investment for the product photographer, providing use again and again after the initial project.
They’re also waterproof, which means they can be used in damp or humid environments without any damage.
If there’s one thing all professional photographers can agree on: equipment for the job can get expensive — especially if you’re the kind to prioritize excellence in your work. Printed vinyl backdrops are an affordable option for photographers who want high-quality backgrounds without having to break the bank.
While other backdrop materials like canvas or muslin offer expensive quality, vinyl backdrops offer comparable results at a far more reasonable price. Best Ever BackDrops® even offers double-sided vinyl backdrops, giving you double for your money. Best of all, they are printed on demand, making them available year-round.
You can also choose from a variety of sizes, giving you the option of getting exactly what you need — not paying more than you want.
Any professional photographer will tell you that the tools for the craft have a tendency to pile up. Unlike the heavier and bulkier background alternatives, vinyl backdrops can be easily rolled up and stored when not in use, taking up relatively little space. This makes them a great option for photographers who have limited storage space or who frequently travel to different photo shoot locations.
Printed vinyl backdrops are also lightweight, making them easy to transport — a godsend for photographers who are often lugging around tons of equipment.
Setting up printed vinyl backdrops is relatively quick and easy compared to most alternatives. Thanks to their lighter weight, vinyl backdrops can be hung simply using a backdrop stand, tape, or clips. This means you can spend less time setting up your photo shoot and more time actually taking photos and working on getting your perfect shot.
The lighter weight also makes printed vinyl backdrops much easier to reposition, meaning you won't have to upset the whole operation just to make minor adjustments.
Printed vinyl backgrounds also come in a variety of sizes. You can even customize vinyl backgrounds and take advantage of print-on-demand services such as those provided by Best Ever BackDrops®. If your creative mind can dream it, we can print it for you in beautiful, durable vinyl.
Speaking of keeping things simple, printed vinyl backdrops are also easy to clean. Even with messy food photo shoots, a quick wipe-down is all you need to pack up and go.
Printed vinyl backdrops offer a highly reliable degree of consistency for the background of your shots. Especially in the case of projects with multiple products to be photographed and showcased, a reliably uniform background is a must-have.
This is essential for product photography, where consistency is key. With a vinyl backdrop, you won't have to worry about variations in color or texture between shots — a common issue with natural backgrounds and prop setups. A vinyl backdrop will take the variables out of the equation entirely, making your job far less tedious.
As you can see, printed vinyl backdrops are the ideal solution for anyone with an investment in product photography, especially food photographers. These tools offer greater degrees of versatility, durability, and affordability, all while maintaining the convenience that a busy photographer so desperately needs.
With so many benefits, it's easy to see why printed vinyl backdrops are becoming increasingly popular among professional photographers. So why not try them out for yourself and see how they can improve your next photoshoot?
At Best Ever BackDrops, we offer an extensive selection of quality vinyl backdrops, always in stock and custom printed for each of our customers.
Whether you’re in need of a reliable background fast, or simply looking to stock up for your next big shoot, Best Ever BackDrops has the printed vinyl backdrops for you.
]]>Yet with so much competition, how can you, a lone food photographer, ensure your food photos stand out from the crowd?
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Over the past few years, food photography has virtually exploded. With millions of influencers and home chefs sharing their creations across dozens of social media platforms, the need for high-quality food photography resources has expanded beyond corporate demands.
Yet with so much competition, how can you, a lone food photographer, ensure your food photos stand out from the crowd?
One of the most important factors in food photography is the kind of background you choose. From tangible aspects like color and texture to the more subtle elements such as tone and composition, the right food photography background can make all the difference for your next photo shoot.
Simply choosing a food photography background on a guess (“I hope this works….”) can prevent you from achieving spectacular results for your final image. Professionals know how to compose a food photography shot the right way — and the right background can make all the difference.
If you’re new to the practice, you’re in luck. Just like the seasoned professionals, you can select the perfect background to elevate your shoot.
Here are five questions to consider before choosing your food photography background.
The first factor to consider is perhaps the broadest: what brand personality — whether your own or that of a larger company — is behind the product? This is especially important if the project is meant for advertisement purposes, as so many food photo shoots are.
Is there a specific aesthetic, tone, or message the product should reflect?
Every company, influencer, or content creator has a brand personality of some kind. The difference is how successfully that identity is communicated. For your next photo shoot, consider the “persona” the product should convey. Does it have the fun and excitable atmosphere of a snack food commercial or the wholesome promise of a healthy home cooking recipe?
Considering this ahead of time can help you to choose a food photography background that conveys the brand personality more effectively.
Every photography project should involve careful consideration of the mood, tone, or atmosphere of the desired outcome. What emotion should your photo cause in the viewer? Is it something basic like hunger, desire, and fun, or something more advanced like comfort, nostalgia, or confidence?
The right food photography background can help you craft the perfect mood for your photo. Consider the unique options presented by your subject (the food) and brand (the company) before choosing your background. Is it warm and cozy, cool and sophisticated, or perhaps bold and energetic? The result depends largely on your background.
Thorough preparation for a food-themed photo shoot is a must, since most food used in photography won’t stay fresh for long — especially hot or cold foods. You have to be ready to work quickly once the food is ready. We recommend having numerous backgrounds on hand to give your shots the best chance at working in harmony with the setting for your photos.
For food photography, professionals use one of three different angles for taking their shots: overhead, 45 degrees, or straight-on. Overhead angles, also known as bird’s eye view, give your food shots a more fashionable look at the entire plating. The most common angle is 45 degrees (which includes anywhere from 20 to 65 degrees), which would be the eater’s view of the food as they’re sitting at a table. Straight-on, or low-angle, views give a more dramatic look at the food, offering creative opportunities for depth-of-field shots or focusing on a specific aspect of the dish.
The angle you choose will help determine the type of backdrop(s) you need for your food shots. For overhead shots, simpler and less detailed backgrounds are best — think a tiled countertop, rattan, tablecloth, or solid wood background. But for low or straight-on angles, you may choose a more atmospheric style background such as bricks or decorative tiles to add a kitchen-like ambience to your image.
Oftentimes, multiple backgrounds may be needed for 45-degree or straight-on photos. You might use a table-loking rigid background for the surface of your shot with a tiled vinyl background for the setting behind your food. By using your creativity, you can even have customized backgrounds created on demand for your one-of-a-kind images.
Photographers are a special kind of artist, highly technical and heavily dependent on the quality of the materials and equipment available. But, like most artists, the photographer can benefit from a healthy dose of color theory: the school of thought revolving around how colors work together — or don’t — to influence the way we feel.
Color theory is hugely important to food photography in particular, since so much of the way we perceive our food is decided by its color. Therefore, color pairings are an essential factor to consider when choosing a background.
You want your background to complement the colors in your food, not clash with them. If your food is brightly colored, consider a more neutral background, so the colors of the food can stand out. If your food is more muted in color, consider what colors might frame it nicely to catch the viewer’s eye — and appetite.
That said, many advanced food photographers know when they can bend the rules in their favor. Depending on the client or the context, you can create bolder, more unique images by experimenting with your backgrounds. Sometimes a bright-colored food on a vivid background could be just the right solution for standing out from the competition.
Texture is another all-too-crucial aspect of food photography. Much like color, the texture of a food — even if it’s strictly visual — can determine how we feel about it. While smooth and creamy might look good on pudding, nobody wants to eat soggy potato chips.
Visual texture is vital to how your viewer sees the product, so it’s important to choose a food photography background that will enhance that texture rather than detract from it.
Just like with clothing patterns, some textures clash, while others go nicely together. If your food is highly textured, like a graham cracker, a crispy chicken thigh, or a ripe strawberry, you may want to select a more subdued background for your shot, like a clean marble surface.
If the product has a subtler texture, however, like greek yogurt, you may want a background with more visual interest, like wood grain, tile, or granite.
All great photographers consider the composition of their desired photo before taking the shot. The composition — that is to say, the balance and focus of visual elements in the image — will largely determine the kind of food photography background you’ll want.
Think about the placement of your food product and any props you might be using. You want your background to complement the composition of the photo, not detract from it. Props such as eating utensils, cooking tools, or loose ingredients can add interest to your photo and tell a story that connects with your audience.
If your shot involves lots of props or multiple products, you may want to opt for a simpler, subtler background so as to not overwhelm the viewer. If, on the other hand, your shot takes a heavy dependence on depth or lighting, you may want to choose a background with enough texture to easily denote distance.
Good composition is a practice that often takes years to master, but keeping it in mind before your shoot can help you to make the best possible decision for your food photography background.
Choosing the right food photography background is foundational to creating impactful food photos. By considering your brand and product, the mood you want to create, the color and texture of your food, and the overall composition of your photo, you can choose a background that elevates your subject from a simple food product to something beautiful, appetizing, and visually stunning.
Here at Best Ever BackDrops, we pride ourselves in offering a truly impressive range of food photography backgrounds, each available to you on demand. Our backdrops are made of materials that are 100% stain resistant, waterproof, and virtually indestructible so you can enjoy them for years to come.
No matter the occasion, the product, or the platform, we’ve got the right backdrops for you. Create your best-ever food photography with Best Ever BackDrops. Check out our selection today.
]]>And yes, the rumors are true: I created the company in two weeks... `cause that's what I do when I'm not working as a television writer/producer. I've been creating, designing, and manufacturing custom products since 1994 by my other company, HomePlates Worldwide.
So, here's how it all started:
I created a blog called Instant PotLuck because when I discovered the InstantPot and created a line of food storage containers to store the mounds of leftovers I made and also wanted to gift and share my food with friends and family.
I needed good visuals, so I had to hire a product photographer and also a great food photographer to shoot my recipes. I knew little about food photography but I found it really odd to watch those I hired lug around heavy slabs of wood and marble.
Wanting to learn more about the world of Food Blogging, I saw there was a course on how to learn more about food photography. I asked one of the photographers what backdrops they'd be using. They said they didn't want to lug the heavy boards so I offered to create them for the conference.
As I mentioned, I've been creating custom products for companies and brands across the globe since 1994. I knew the surfaces needed to be waterproof, stain resistant, and lightweight. So I created just that. And my new line of photography backdrops launched on May 1, 2019 at the Everything Food Conference Foodie Bootcamp.
I provided the backdrops for the event at no charge... and they were a hit. Everyone loved them. No one could believe how realistic and how lightweight they were... and completely stain resistant.
This gorgeous "Watermelon Pizza" was taken by Brianne Izzo from Cupcakes & Kale Chips:
The amazing commercial food photographer, Skyler Burt of We Eat Together was one of the mentors, truly one of the best photographers - EVER. He's incredibly talented and we teamed up to create a collection of his favorite textures for Best Ever Backdrops.
Check out The Skyler Burt Backdrop Collection here. Use his promo code when ordering: for 2 backdrops = 4 textures for $199: SKY4FORU and for 15% off one item, use SKYLER15
And the rock-star, goddess Joanie Simon of The Bite Shot was also on hand as a mentor...
The event was a blast and I was thrilled to meet so many amazing bloggers, stylists, and product photographers.
The original name of my company was Food Blogger Props. Most everyone who attended the event was a food blogger... but there were many other types of bloggers, stylists, and photographers attending the conference who wrote about beauty, travel, fashion, and other areas -- and well, they felt left out.
Sooooo, on May 17th, sixteen days after they were introduced, I realized the name didn't accurately reflect the company and changed it -- as easily as the backdrops can change the look of your shots.
So now, the name is Best Ever Backdrops® because, well, they are the best ever.
They're a total game changer for everyone in the photography industry and here's why:
The one thing I learned is every shot depends on a good surface. I was able to come up with the right combination of what every food and product photographer needs... especially when shooting food: Things spill. Food stains. Here's Best Ever Backdrops solution:
People ask me how I do what I do... well, I've been creating products since 1994 for my own line (I invented the first decorative light switch cover that required no rewiring and launched my company in the UK) and that led to my creating products for companies and brands, large and small across the globe ever since.
I also added to the Best Ever Backdrops collection, so check out a variety of props and accessories including non-glare plates and platters, mini-Dutch Ovens, and more... so check them out.
At the get-go, my mission was to eliminate the backbreaking and heavy lifting that shouldn't be a part of a photographer's job description... and I knew there was a better way to make the backdrops that were considered "the norm" in the industry.
But "the norm" wasn't working -- or acceptable -- or realistic. And I've never followed the norm.
Having been on the manufacturing side as a product developer and inventor of lines for hundreds of companies over the years, I have also invented my own brands and product lines and when when I entered this fun and amazing "foodie world," I saw a problem and a need and came up with an easy way to fix it.
So, here's what I came up with at the onset -- and it's still my goal:
Instead of one ridiculously heavy board that costs a bloody fortune, or a tiny square board... with Best Ever Backdrops™ you get: FAST, FREE Shipping in the US, (48 contiguous states) or delivered Internationally to your destination.
So -- that's the story. I love the creativity, the joy people get from doing what they love, and I want everyone to succeed. If I can help get you there, I've done my job.
Join the Private Facebook Group for bloggers, stylists, and photographers and tag @besteverbackdrops on Instagram.
OH!! And one more thing: I also created a course to help bloggers create their own line of products so they would no longer have to rely on promoting someone else's products through affiliate links.
If you want to learn how to create a product, drop a line. I love to help businesses and bloggers promote themselves and generate revenue by showing them how they can create their own line of custom products -- just as I've been doing for decades.
Drop me a note if you have questions. I'd love to hear from you.
Barbara Hobart
Owner/Founder
P.S. And yes, I still write/produce for television.
]]>Unfortunately, even in the hands of the most talented photographer, a good camera can’t save a shot from a bad background. But a smart food photographer knows exactly how to overcome that obstacle: a reliable source of high-quality food backgrounds.
Finding the right backdrop — one which gives the shot every chance it deserves to be perfect — can be a challenge. At Best Ever BackDrops®, we pride ourselves on making our products the best on the market.
Want to know all the secrets to a great food background? Here’s what to look for:
The first thing you need to look for in your food backdrops, above all else, is pristine photorealism. This quality can vary from producer to producer, so it’s important to do your research before buying. Not just any background will do.
Modern DSLR cameras are designed for vibrance and clarity of image, so any image less vivid than the actual environment may not hold up. Take the time to ensure that your background is as real as possible before the shoot; what takes you ten minutes now may save you an hour in the editing room later on.
Any industry professional will tell you that product photography can get messy. From wine to makeup, there are just too many substances that can leave permanent stains on your backdrops. Yet, not all backdrops are equal.
Best Ever BackDrops® offers two kinds of food backgrounds with reliable stain resistance: RIgid and Vinyl, both of which are easy to clean and highly resistant to stains. Substances like wine, makeup, raspberries, and spices all wipe away with ease. Best Ever BackDrops® offers two kinds of food backgrounds with reliable stain resistance: Rigid and Vinyl, both of which are easy to clean and highly resistant to stains. Substances like wine, makeup, raspberries, and spices all wipe away with ease. With reliable stain resistance like this, your investment in a quality food background will last far beyond your current project.
In the same vein, vinyl-based products Apart from resistance to stains, both rigid and vinyl-based backgrounds are excellent for protection against water as well. Just as a food photographer should expect their backdrops to get messy with food materials, they should probably expect them to get wet.
The key to a quality backdrop is durability; A truly waterproof background will lose none of its luster no matter how many times you rinse it clean. Many products in food photography are marketed as ‘water resistant,’ but even a little bit of damage can undo the illusion of a photorealistic background. When you’re shopping for your next perfect backdrop, look for the safest bet on the market — not just water resistant, but waterproof through and through.
This is one of the areas in which the different qualities you’re looking for — the qualities you need — can begin to butt heads. While certain backdrop materials like marble and wood can be useful, they’re not exactly practical to lug around.
While this may not be a complete deal-breaker on its own, it’s no industry secret that a photographer’s equipment can pile up quickly. Keeping things light, sturdy, and portable is an essential practice of professional food photography.
At Best Ever BackDrops®, both of our surface options are optimized for portability. The vinyl surface can be hung up or rolled for easy storage. The rigid surface, meanwhile, is just an eighth of an inch thick, weighing in at less than a pound. We’re proud to say that our food backgrounds are optimized not just to be resistant to damage, but lightweight and easy to transport.
Here’s the real kicker: as a food photographer, you’re bound by the requirements of the project at hand. You may not always know when you’re going to need a certain kind of background. The unfortunate truth is that a large number of food background manufacturers only produce in bulk, meaning your options are severely limited by the supply of the season.
At Best Ever BackDrops®, we believe the product should serve the purposes of the photographer — not the other way around. That’s why each of our professional-grade food backgrounds is available year-round. Every single background from Best Ever BackDrops® is affordably printed on-demand for your convenience with the same exceptional quality as always. Not only that, but all of our backdrop products are proudly made right here in the USA.
Whether you’re new to food photography or a seasoned professional, you shouldn’t settle for anything less than the best. At Best Ever BackDrops®, we select only the highest quality materials for printing to ensure that your next shoot looks great and runs smoothly. All of our food backgrounds are optimized for photorealism, stain resistance, waterproofing, and portability. And best of all, they’re available to order around the clock.
Whether you’re an enthusiastic hobbyist or the next industry star, Best Ever BackDrops® has the quality food backgrounds for you. See our offerings today!
Photography backdrops are the basis for any great shot. A good backdrop will anchor your shot and serves as the essential starting point for the tone and style you want to create.
Whether you're a food photographer shooting a recipe, or shooting products for a brand, you want your subject to stand out and pop. Same goes for beauty & makeup shoots, fashion, and travel bloggers. The hero in your shot needs to stand out and you need the perfect setting to tell your story.
Backdrops come in all sizes, shapes, colors, surfaces, weights, and prices. Here's a breakdown of the essential elements you need to consider when purchasing a backdrop and building your collection:
The first consideration is choosing a backdrop that's non-glare. Whether you're shooting in a studio or using natural light, you don't want a surface which will create shadows you didn't intend. Some vinyl backdrops unfortunately often have some shine and they may also wrinkle. The best surface is one that's:
Since you will be using your photography backdrop over and over again, it is best to use a backdrop that's virtually indestructible. Oh! And lightweight. No one likes to lift heavy, back-breaking slabs of wood, stone, or marble.
Whether you're a food stylist, food photographer, or a beauty blogger shooting makeup, you should look for backdrops which are not only durable, but also waterproof and stain resistant.
There's nothing worse than spilling water on a wood backdrop and seeing the spots and rings it leaves. Or spilling red wine. We know how that story ends.
As far as being stain resistant, if you want to get on with shooting and not worry about cleaning up a "smooshed" raspberry, a cherry-pie filling stain, or if you're a beauty blogger -- lipstick. Try getting getting any of these stains out of a wood backdrop isn't easy.
So, what material is best?
While wood backdrops are popular because they have gorgeous texture, they are heavy -- and a pain to store. And while many brands have a sealer, they may not be stain resistant and fully waterproof.
Vinyl surfaces are waterproof but some can crease and/or wrinkle. Vinyl is lightweight and easy to store. Depending on the way it is treated, some vinyl backdrops may or may not be stain proof.
This material is rigid, 100% waterproof, non-glare, stain resistant, and lightweight. It is easy to store... and doesn't lose its shape -- ever.
They are really inexpensive -- that's the good news. But like with anything, you get what you pay for. If you're shooting food or beauty products and something spills, they're ruined. So is your shot.
The best colors are cool and neutral colors that enhance the colors of your subject. Greys and whites are always good or at the other end of the spectrum, dark and rich blues and blacks. In the middle? There's always bright, bold colors from yellows and pinks to make your shots pop. It's all up to you... and your style and preferences.
There are a variety of different options: natural textures from wood to concrete or cement are the perfect textures because of their natural grain and color. Stone textures such as marble and granite are also ideal. And with the right backdrop, you can create the perfect Instagram "kitchen."
Size matters. Especially when shooting food. A rectangle is ideal. 24 x 36" at a minimum... this is what most pros use. For social media posts, whether it's for Pinterest, a magazine layout, or for an Instagram story, using a rectangle backdrop for the ratio makes your job a whole lot easier from the get-go. Best Ever Backdrops has 3 sizes: 24 x 24, 36 x 24, and 46 x 36... plus any custom size can be created for you upon request. For those without a lot of space, smaller portable backdrops are always an option: 24 x 24" is offered by Best Ever Backdrops and is available single or double sided. Other Portables: Replica Surfaces and DropAWall offer 23 x 23" single sided.
Sure... and it's easy to make them, and can be a fun creative outlet, but the time and effort you spend driving to the lumber yard or local hardware store to select a surface, have it cut, spend money on purchasing a variety of paints and tools... brushes, putty knives, etc. to create the look you want, create it, wait for it to dry -- is time consuming. If you choose a wood surface, they are still heavy and a pain to store. They are also not stain and water resistant... unless you treat them.
Here's a look at 5 brands of photography backdrops for comparison. You decide what works best for your needs:
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The plate in the video is called Frostbite and it is oven safe, dishwasher safe, and microwave safe. This texture is also available as a backdrop.
The platter is called Afterglow (and it's also a backdrop) which he set it against the stunning Best Ever Backdrop called Blue Curacao. It is one of eight textures in the Skyler Burt Backdrop Collection. Find it here.
Here is an overview of the food photography tips Skyler suggests:
Food photography using your iPhone, is generally the same as with any other camera. However, the fixed 28mm wide angle lens makes the iPhone less versatile than a tradition camera or dSLR.
Generally, I use either a 50mm or 100mm lens when photographing in front of the food. So for me the wide angle lens of the iPhone makes for a great camera to use when capturing that birds-eye view or flat lay food photography.
There are a ton of apps that work to give you more control over your iPhone's camera. My personal favorite is Lightroom mobile.
I think using the Lightroom app for your smartphone food photography makes sense, as this is also the preferred editing software for most everyone.
With the Lightroom app you have the option to photograph in DNG or JPEG. DNG is Lightroom's version of RAW files and is higher quality. Allowing you more range to edit your food photography with. Considering the iPhone has only a 12mp camera, I select DNG for the best quality capture.
Select the white balance for the type of light you're photographing your food with. There are options for daylight, tungsten, florescent, cloudy and even a custom setting option. You can also adjust the white balance when editing, in case you forgot when shooting.
One great benefit to using the Lightroom app for your iPhone food photography is the ability to control your ISO. The camera's ISO adjust its sensitivity to light. This often comes at the expense of adding noise in the image. The iPhone's small sensor doesn't handle noise very well. The ability to keep the ISO low (below 100) is fantastic, however this will need longer shutter speeds.
Having manual control over the shutter speed is a big help when using lower ISO on your iPhone. However, you'll want to use the tripod setup seen in the video to reduce camera shake.
The manual focus option is probably one of the most important features if you're using your iPhone for food photography. Move the slider left or right and the green areas will show you what parts of the image are in focus. Perfect for when critical focus is a must.
Multiple layouts for having a grid overlay appear over your iPhone camera. I really love using these when composing my smartphone food photography. I use the lines to judge the balance of my compositions. Plus they are perfect for aligning my food photography backdrops and all of my props with the edge of my frame.
I find it difficult to keep my iPhone level when shooting flat lay food photography. This level not only works to keep the camera level left to right, but also top to bottom. Having a level image is really important if you want to rotate the image later in editing. Keeping your iPhone level can prevent it appearing as if the props and food are sliding off the table.
Turn on the highlights clipping mask to alert you when bright areas become over-exposed. Little zebra lines appear, letting you know that you need to dial back the shutter speed, ISO or exposure.
You are going to want a lot of light when using your iPhone for food photography. If you're using natural light, try to find a window with direct sunlight coming through.
Then place a large diffusor like this one in between the window and the food (or even a white bed sheet, parchment paper for a budget option).
This will soften down the light while at the same time keeping most of the brightness.
If you're going the artificial route, look for continuous lights that are 60w and above and are easily modifiable with softboxes and grids. I really love these Godox SLB60 for my food photography and videos.
They're bright and the modifiers are inexpensive providing great light year around.
My smartphone food photography camera setup for flat lay images
Getting your iPhone out of your hands while styling your food photography can be a huge help. It makes the whole process more natural and fluid.
I recommend a tripod that has an adjustable center column. It really helps get the camera out and over the table.
To attach the phone to the tripod, you'll want to pick up one of pick up one of these budget friendly Super Clamps. I use them all around my studio. Be careful not to over tighten, because their grip is strong enough to squeeze your iPhone to death. However, at least you're be sure not to drop your phone into that soup!
For a 15% discount on any Best Ever Backdrop product, use the promo code SKYBEST15 and share Skyler's link with your friends:
https://besteverbackdrops.com?ref:skyler
Stay tuned for more tips from Skyler on how your shots can become the best ever.
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