Simple Photography Backdrop

by nickodemus

7.3K2417

Intro: Simple Photography Backdrop

Often when making instructables, the need to photograph small objects arises. This implement helps out, it makes for a softer background than a desk or table. Thus, better photos.

The total cost is under $2, but most of the materials can be found around the house. It's small enough to fit in a desk, so now you can publish all of those "Office Weapons" instructables on location - at the office.

Now, let's get to it.

STEP 1: Tools & Materials

You'll need the following:
  • A coat hanger
  • Paperclips (not pictured)
  • Paper
  • Measuring tape
  • Pliers, preferably two
  • Scissors (optional)
  • Electrical tape (optional)

STEP 2: Prepping

Cut the hook off of the coat hanger, so we can start bending. It may take a bit of strength.

STEP 3: Straightening

Straighten out the majority of the hanger, but leave the end bent, we'll cut this off later anyways.

STEP 4: The Initial Bend

Try to find the relative middle of the wire, it doesn't need to be exact. Measure out about 7 inches, or a little less than the width of your paper. Mark it with a pen, or just guesstimate. Then bend both sides.

STEP 5: More Bending

Mark one inch from each bend just made. Then bend these straight up, it should look like the second picture when you're done.

STEP 6: Bending "Eye" Hooks

From the point we just bent, measure 5 inches, or half the length of your paper. At the five inch mark, start bending a "U" shape, and clip the end off, like the second and third photos. Repeat this for both sides. Don't close it all the way yet.

STEP 7: Adding Clips

Slide a paperclip onto the hook, then pinch the hook closed. Make sure the paperclip won't slide off. Repeat on the other side.

STEP 8: Finished!

Just attach a piece of paper with the paperclips, and finished. You can add some electric tape to the corners that touch the surface, for a little grip. Mine already came with a coating, so I didn't do that.

Hoped you liked my instructable, and upload a photo of yours if you make one.

17 Comments

Printy 11 years ago

Clever! I like the paperclip idea. That's original. :)

nsmith1 11 years ago

I like it, it is simple and I was able to replicate the stand easily. Thank you for a complete instructable with plenty of photos.

Kiteman 13 years ago

That paperclip is out of focus!  No stars ;-)

LOL - now you need an equally-simple lighting rig.

nickodemus 13 years ago

I thought everything was automatically focused since I became pro?
:-)
I used an auto-focus camera, obviously it doesn't do it well. And thanks for the idea, a couple of LED's on the top corners would work quite nicely for that purpose...
I need to try it.

Kiteman 13 years ago

Some things just confuse auto-focus.

When I find that, I focus on an object the distance away, hold the focus and then move back to my real subject.

Kryptonite 13 years ago

That's what my hand is for. ;P

To nickodemus; if you can manually change the f stop, try reducing it so you can get a broader field of focus.

nickodemus 13 years ago

F stop? Is that for cutting off the flash?

Kryptonite 13 years ago

It adjusts the shutter size, letting more or less light in. It also lets you control the depth of focus, so instead of having all the objects ~20cm from lens in focus, you can have everything from 10cm - 50m in focus.

nickodemus 13 years ago


 Sounds too complicated. I'm just gonna start looking for a better camera.

Kryptonite 13 years ago

Or use Kiteman's idea. On my camera it's just pressing the up button, but it's probably different on most others.

nickodemus 13 years ago

I actually tried that before I read this... {shrug} I think a camera without auto focus would be a good investment.

zascecs 13 years ago

Gee, great Instructable! I always wondered how to make the background on the pictures all white...

...I never realized that it was so simple! Pretty professional looking... =)

I am going to use this for my next Instructable...

zascecs 13 years ago

This Instructable really need to be featured! 

nickodemus 13 years ago

:-) Hurry, someone tell the admins! Naw, I don't think it will get featured anytime soon, unless I can take some better pictures. But, 300 views in one day without being featured, apparently people like it.

nickodemus 13 years ago

Wait, I take that back... Try going to the second RECENT page, it has the feature banner on it, but it doesn't show up under the Featured category... Or on my "You" page. Bug? Maybe, I'll wait and see if it turns up in the Feature bin.

Kryptonite 13 years ago

Nice job! just needs a little bit more light for the pictures, but the project is brilliant!

I'm glad I gave the three months of pro to you. :D