I’ve got a bit of an issue with measuring cups. I don’t have display cases full of them or anything, but I have more than I need. They’re just so….pretty. And useful. And I feel good about myself when I buy a new set. I need therapy, I know.
But that’s not my point. I was messing around with my camera this weekend and thought I’d share how to photograph items with a crisp, white background. I was Googling DIY light boxes and photography tips, but they all just seemed like too much work for this lazy photographer. Can you be a photographer and be lazy? Who knows.
So this is a sampling of the measuring cups. I know, right? So cute! The point is the nice crisp background. Wanna see how I did it?
I put a little side table in front of a door, unrolled some wrapping paper, and taped it to the door. Rocket science, people. WAY over your heads.
I played around with it and put it in a couple of different spots in the house. It gives a slightly different look, and you’ll see the shading varies. The point is to use as much natural light as you can find. Because the paper is curved, you don’t see any seems in the background.
When you take the picture, it’ll still be a little flat, so I use Picmonkey (free program online) to edit it a bit. I up the brightness in exposure a little (or a lot if needed!), and I sharpen it.
If the color gets a little flat from brightening it, I use “boost” to bring some of the colors out–especially in something like this one.
And this is the final product! I’m pretty thrilled with it ’cause it really shows off some details, and it highlights different points. That’s especially good with tutorials and final product shots. Own an Etsy shop? This is right up your alley. I think.
I’m certainly no professional photographer, so I was glad I could find an easy and free way to bring a little oomph to my pictures. Right now you’re thinking, “Why measuring cups?” aren’t you?
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Thanks Chris! I just used some white foam board this afternoon but really like the idea of the seamless wrapping paper too. And, I’m a huge picmonkey user and lover but haven’t used the “boost” function. Thanks for the tip…the photos I took today will be perfect test subjects!
I initially found this for the photography tip, which is awesome by the way and will definitely get used! But I am just a little bit in love with your measuring cups! Especially the acorns, those are gorgeous. I can totally understand why measuring cups when they look like that.
You left out the “don’t I have cute” between the Why & the Measuring Cups in that last sentence!!!
Thanks for this tip! I’ve wondered how to get a white background and now I know how to do it. I also use PicMonkey and will have to try the boost feature.
Love your measuring cups! And photo tips 🙂
Thanks, that was very helpful!
I love your measuring cups and I am the same way with them! I have too many cute sets but I can’t seem to pass them up. So now I need to know where you got the floral set. 🙂
Thanks for the photography tips, much appreciated. I have never used picmonkey but have heard of others using it, so I may have to try them out.
Also where did you get the flowered measuring cups they are adorable?
I think your measuring cups are adorable! I’d collect them too if I saw any looking like yours.
Great tips on photographing with the chair & paper. I’ve used a sheet before, but I can’t seem to keep the wrinkles/folds out…the paper idea is good, no need for ironing.
Debbie 🙂
how funny that I was emailing you about picmonkey this morning!! I hadn’t read your post yet. 🙂 Great idea on the wrapping paper, I hate wandering around the house looking for a set up spot!!! (and there’s always a sock on the floor in the backyard…noticed AFTERWARDS!)
I like to use the Curve function to brighten my photos, then add a touch of boost.
see you at gymnastics later!
What great tips! Totally rocket science LOL. I’d love it if you could link this up to our party, Give Me The Goods Monday! {1 party, 5 blogs}
http://www.somuchbetterwithage.com/2013/05/give-me-goods-party-7.html
Have a great week!
Jamie @ somuchbetterwithage.com
Great tip! And so easy and affordable to implement.
And I see you on the measuring cups and raise you measuring spoons….
(hope I got that English expression right).
This is a great idea! I just wen tout and purchased a bunch of white foam boards for the same purpose, but mine will have the seams 🙁 p.s. I love the measuring cups!
This is such a great tip! I’ve been using a diy light box made out of foam core boards from the $ store that are held together with duct tape. Your idea is much better and easier to store too!
I too am such a lazy photographer! So, thank you for this simple tutorial. I think I can manage a roll of white paper! I love your measuring cups. They are all so cute, especially the acorn set. You should have added a stuffed squirrel to the picture!
Thanks for the great tips! So simple, but so smart! I struggle with this a lot as I don’t have any white walls or furniture for that matter and I’m often taking photos in bad lighting (after work and the like..) I’ll definitely give this a try!
Great tip! I have an obsession with measuring cups as well- especially Anthropologies’, I have way too many…
I think your measuring cups are adorable! I’d collect them too if I saw any looking like yours.
Great tips on photographing with the chair & paper. I’ve used a sheet before, but I can’t seem to keep the wrinkles/folds out…the paper idea is good, no need for ironing.
I used white foam board for a while but the seams bugged me so much! I had tried white rolling paper before the board but it was too shiny and so I moved on to the foam. I came across some white matte rolling paper in a special paper/gift store a few months ago and took a chance to try it again and it changed my (photography/Etsy) life! Your pictures are gorgeous! Are those cups from Anthropologie? They’re adorable!
Thanks a bunch for these great tips….
And I wasn’t thinking why meassuring cups, but ooooh meassuring cups, love them!
xxx
Well, duh!
Thanks for posting this… I’ll definitely try this out! Just a roll of white paper… good grief!
Oh, gosh! This is just the tip I need! I love it! And your measuring cups are precious! Thanks so much!
XO,
Jane
Great tip! I do all my photography for my Etsy shop using foam core white boards to reflect the light coming through the window next to my dryer. I set up everything on top of the dryer and then wedge myself into the space between the dryer and pantry wall. Very low tech and so uncomfortable! Using your roll of paper idea, I may be able to find a spot somewhere else to take the photos so that I can actually bend my elbows when I take a shot!
Wrapping paper?! Genius!! I always try to take picture of my cakes before I deliver them and you should see some of the things I have subjected myself and my cakes to in order to get some natural light and a clean background. Most often you can find me on the kitchen counter with my cake in one hand and the camera in the other trying to balance an old piece of foam core between the window ledge and the cabinet so I can get that sliver of good light in front of the window over the sink! lol. Last week the only light I could get was right in the doorway going to the back yard so I grabbed a chair and put one of the boards under the cake and the other leaned against the back of the chair. Can you say disaster!? You could see where the boards didn’t meet up exactly but that didn’t matter because a sudden gust of wind made the board fly forward on to the cake! Thankfully it wasn’t messed up but it scared me so badly that I almost dropped the camera and I decided I didn’t need a picture of that cake anyway. 🙂 Thank you for saving me from a future of countertop acrobatics and possible broken bones (and cakes). I can’t wait to go home and try this!
You had me laughing, Kristy! I could totally picture you doing this! Well hopefully, the wrapping paper will spare you anymore disasters! Thanks for sharing that!