Blogging tips ~ Photo Backgrounds

Blogging tips ~ Photo Backgrounds

Blogging tips


One day I found myself at Michael's, knee-deep in the scrapbooking section. I had the idea for this video for one of my songs... it would be still-motion, and I would use scrapbooking paper to make little cutouts that move around. But once I got home, it dawned on me that I'd need probably 1,000 stills for that video, and maybe five times that many individual cutouts. It seemed overwhelming and impossible. So I forgot about it, and abandoned the paper I had bought.

But my trip and the money spent was not in vain. For it turned out the scrapbooking paper was useful for something else- photo backgrounds.

Blogging tips


Having any kind of background for your photos is always a good idea. If you have an extra few seconds, it can produce a variety of of looks, depending on what you want. Want vintagey? Use vintage fabric. Wanna go clean? A white sheet of paper will do. I've used a lot of different things as backgrounds... even my own clothing in a pinch! But the scrapbooking paper has been very useful to me.

I love some of the more cutsey patterns, not to mention different colors and textures. They can convey a different feel. Does today feel like a green day....

Blogging tips


Or a purple one?

Blogging tips


Here's another interesting question- how do these different colors and designs convey different messages about what I'm shooting? What do we think of when looking at green, as opposed to purple? It's interesting to think about.

Blogging tips


Perhaps I should've used the green background for the above photo, as the purple dots makes the girliness way too overt. Then again, I favored the purple with the espresso over the green... I thought the dots gave the photo subject some depth, and the color was more vibrant.

What do you think?



chantilly

♥ watch my new video for "just the way you are" on youtube!!

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40 comments

  1. Must admit, I love the dots too. And must also admit, I thought the photo backgrounds were digital at first! Amazing how something as simple as paper can make such a difference to a photo, when you take it, rather than when you edit it!

    Michele

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    1. that's interesting! i'm definitely too lazy to digitize the backgrounds of my photos :P glad they look good though! x

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  2. Anonymous1/23/2013

    I was just struggling today with finding an appropriate photo background. This is so simple. Lovely.

    Kate from Clear the Way

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  3. That is such a great idea! I need to get myself some paper like that for my pictures :)

    http://lovelyprettyworld.blogspot.fr/

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  4. this is such a fantastic tip, I had never thought of using scrapbook paper. I am forever ironing sheets to use as backgrounds, this would be so much simpler.
    Cheers

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    1. girl, i use fabric as well. it's just with the scrapbook paper, you can pick out 10 easy patterns/ colors that you like, and it's much easier to switch around :)

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  5. I love it! I just recently saw another blogger mention this and I thought it was a great idea! I just did it once this week for a photo of mine and loved how it looked. Def something I'll incorporate more often now, too!

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  6. I remember when I first started my Etsy shop, I went CRAZY with the backgrounds, colors, patterns, etc. Now it's super toned down as I think it just took away from my items but fun backgrounds still work for a lot of things. I think the first pic of this post is my fave. :)

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    1. oh, i can totally understand why you toned it down for your etsy shop... the focus should be on the product, not the background paper! i was thinking my favorite was the last photo with all the girly stuff :)

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  7. fantastic idea. I learned this late, the fun and importance of playing with photo backgrounds but its always at the forefront of my mind now. definitely didn't think of paper though!

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  8. Thanks for the tip! Eye-catching photos is something I struggle with, and I have lots of paper, so this is so helpful!

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  9. very cool idea. personally, i like the purple. how fun to play with different backgrounds. it's always fun to see how much the vibe and the feeling changes!
    lovely blog, dear.

    xx. amber

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  10. Definitely am going to start doing this when I reopen my shop! Such a good idea :)

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  11. Great idea. I usually go for the plain ol' white background but I'm sure I have some scrapbook paper somewhere .. will have to dig it out :-)

    Monica
    www.pear-shaped-gal.com

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  12. Genius! I'm always scouring my apartment for places to photo. Totally going to go and buy some colorful "background" paper.
    Thanks lady!
    Trish

    www.jellybonesblog.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. yeah! it takes up about 2mm of space, and is super convenient. x

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  13. i use scrapbooking paper as a background always! i get really mad if i have to take a picture of something bigger than the page.

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    1. totally. your blog (and you) are super adorable, btw!! xoxo

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  14. I love this! You know that I am going to stop by the craft store tomorrow to stock up on some pretty paper for this purpose!

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  15. Thanks for sharing great tips !
    I think green is better for those espresso ..
    I usually only use white paper to give clean effect ^^

    beautyfoodlife.blogspot.com

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  16. I really appreciate this! I need to buy some scrap-booking paper ASAP! xx

    http://thehonestfox.blogspot.com

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  17. Brilliant idea! I've got a horde of scrapbooking paper I can put to good use!

    M.

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  18. Such great tips! I never thought of this. Thank you! -Jessica L

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  19. Fantastic idea! One of the things on my 25 before 26 list this year was to take better photos for my blog and Etsy shop. This is a great and easy way to bring a little life to them! Thank you

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  20. cool post, i love how bright ur photos are!

    B x

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  21. This is great! I love the different scrapbook pieces of paper as backgrounds. I think that the lavender paper is more calming while the green is more energetic :)

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    1. i agree :) also, the green reminds me of avocados (although it is more of a lime in real life.)

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  22. Anonymous1/24/2013

    Awesome tips!! Backgrounds definitely can make or break a photo!

    Sabrina

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  23. Great Post. Just discovered your blog and LOVE your pictures!

    Jordyn
    theprettylovelyblog.blogspot.com

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  24. This makes such a difference, thanks so much for the tip xo

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  25. What a great idea!

    Have a lovely day,

    -Kati

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  26. what a good idea! I may have to start doing this!

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  27. This is such a great idea! I've been struggling with having too much in the background when I take the occasional photos of food, crafts, etc. I think I have some extra scrapbooking paper and cloth lying around, I'm definitely going to have to give this a shot!

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  28. Great tip. I don't scapbook but I do have lots of scrapbooking paper. It works for so much more. That and it is so cute. How can paper be so cute!?!?

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  29. Another brilliant idea from you and I definitely love the purple background for the eyelashes, just love your blog!! :)

    Hayley xoxo
    www.wallflowerhayleyhoward.blogspot.com

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