Product Photography white background?

Question

Hello, i have a client www.shopbalagirls.com their photographer is shooting all of the products in front of a white sheet. The company does not have a lot of money, but we are looking for ideas for a white background. If we go to a camera store they are going to tell us to buy a crap load of lights and background stuff. We are looking for a make shift way to have a white background. Any ideas where to get this? Michaels? AC Moore?

I am sorry, I said Product Photography, it is actually a manquin wearing clothes, and I need a cost effective background, I DONT want to use a sheet, i was wondering where I could find a big what piece of card board or something. or a better option?

Answer 1

It's really not very hard at all. The key is diffused side lighting. I use a box that I have cut out 4 sides on leaving a bottom and back. The cut out sides have just enough cardboard to keep the box shape. Use either white paper or some kind of tissue paper to cover the 2 sides and top of the box, keeping the front open.

Get 4 x $5 Wal-Mart lights found in the hardware section, basic shop style with aluminum reflector. Place 2 lights per side of the light box.

Buy a large white poster board and cut the width to fit the width of the box. It is important that the poster board (1 piece) covers the entire back and bottom of the light box.

You’re done - that's it, professional pictures with only $20

- for the best pictures and to get the truest white, you should take a picture of the white poster with the lighting on and use as the white balance on the camera, this will adjust for any yellow tint given by the lights. I also suggest slightly overexposing the pictures.

Answer 2

Use a white sheet from the bedroom instead of background paper?

Crumple up the sheet if you like so it looks a little textured... Is this what you mean?

If the products are small enough, by a pad of 18 x 25 inch white paper from an art store and use it as mini-bkgnd paper