Monday, June 13, 2011

Photography Tip: Endless Fabric Background

Prop Closet Seamless Background
Photos and Method via Prop Closet (click to view larger)
Since many of you expressed interest in seeing more photography tips on this blog, I thought I'd share with you a new method I was excited to discover today on the fabulous blog, Prop Closet. I think I'm outing myself as a huge geek here, but it's been bugging me forever trying to figure out how the apparently endless backgrounds in Martha Stewart and other magazine photos could be possible! For some reason my conclusion was that they must have some crazy mile-long table. Well luckily for us the secret is much simpler! As the behind-the-scenes photo above from Prop Closet made me realize, you simply have to pull the fabric in the background evenly upward and voila! Soon everyone will be marveling at your very own infini-table! =p Thanks, Robin, for posting this incredibly helpful photo of the set-up!
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Posted by Xiaolu at 2:07 PM
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38 comments:

  1. kankanaJune 13, 2011 at 2:45 PM

    That's an awsm tip! I want to improve my photo .. just don't like them. Such tips are so useful Thanks Xiaolu :)

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  2. NicoleJune 13, 2011 at 3:35 PM

    Great tip, sometimes I drape fabric in the background such as linen, but I do not get that nice infinite effect. I will try this for sure!

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  3. Daydreamer DessertsJune 13, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    Love this tip Xiaolu, thanks for sharing!

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  4. mycookinghutJune 13, 2011 at 3:51 PM

    Awesome!

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  5. Mike@ The Culinary LensJune 13, 2011 at 4:41 PM

    Great tip thank you for sharing..

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  6. Maris (In Good Taste)June 13, 2011 at 4:54 PM

    Fabulous tip. Thanks so much for sharing with us!

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  7. Mardi @eatlivetravelwriteJune 13, 2011 at 5:22 PM

    It works with large sheets of paper too ;-)

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  8. Robin @ Prop ClosetJune 13, 2011 at 6:12 PM

    Thank you for posting my behind the scenes photos on your blog. And thanks for the link and credit to Prop Closet. I teach a photo styling at FIT in NYC so this is what I do for a living. Would be happy to share with your readers!

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  9. SueJune 13, 2011 at 7:00 PM

    Thanks for the terrific tip, Xiaolu!!! Looking forward to putting it into practice soon:)

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  10. JoanneJune 13, 2011 at 7:25 PM

    Oh wow that is AWESOME...I've always wondered how it was done!

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  11. elleJune 13, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    I've got to turn you onto this system I have been using for product placements, I'm not sure if you can buy it in the U.S. but http://global.rakuten.com/en/store/biteki-2008/item/10011094/I never thought about using this for food because the paper I have will get wet or ruined, but I bet I could clip some fabric, right? Which means I will NEED to break out my steamer cos this girl does not IRON.. haha

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  12. SoniaJune 13, 2011 at 8:50 PM

    Thank you so much Xiaolu for the wonderful tips. will surely keep it in mind while doing my next shooting...cheers, sonia !

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  13. Susan LindquistJune 13, 2011 at 9:14 PM

    Slick!

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  14. Tastes of Home (Jen)June 14, 2011 at 1:18 AM

    Saw this when you tweeted yesterday..very good tips :) Looks like I'll need much larger pieces of fabrics, either that or just use smaller dishes. Thanks for sharing!

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  15. warmvanillasugarJune 14, 2011 at 1:39 AM

    Cool! Thanks for the tips!

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  16. wendyywy @ Table for 2..... or moreJune 14, 2011 at 2:07 AM

    Great!
    I have all the the right props for this method.
    thanks!

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  17. XiaoluJune 14, 2011 at 2:09 AM

    Glad you guys found this useful too =).
    Wendy I'm jealous! I have none of the tools for this haha.

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  18. Swee San @ TheSweetSpotJune 14, 2011 at 3:26 AM

    Nice.. now what am I going to use to pull the cloth back..

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  19. Kamakshi DiamondJune 14, 2011 at 6:21 AM

    That is a fab tip.Thank you.

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  20. The Harried CookJune 14, 2011 at 8:56 AM

    That's a great tip, Xiaolu! Thank you for sharing with us... :)

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  21. Apron AppealJune 14, 2011 at 10:16 AM

    but that means I have to buy more fabric. Fat quarters aren't big enough for that. doh!

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  22. SatrupaJune 14, 2011 at 11:31 AM

    A kool tip :) Thanks !!

    Congratzzz !! You are the winner of the give away on my blog http://satrupa-foodforthought.blogspot.com
    Please send me your name and address @ satrupa.dash@gmail.com so that I can post that to you :)

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  23. JulianaJune 14, 2011 at 3:29 PM

    Thanks for the tip...I will sure try this our.
    Have a wonderful week Xiaolu :-)

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  24. amanda@seegirlcookJune 14, 2011 at 3:48 PM

    wonderful tip! you are such an amazingly talented photographer, thanks for sharing the knowledge!

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  25. pigpigscornerJune 14, 2011 at 11:26 PM

    Great tip!

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  26. Rivki Locker (Ordinary Blogger)June 14, 2011 at 11:31 PM

    Ooooh brilliant! Thanks!

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  27. JuniaJune 14, 2011 at 11:44 PM

    i LOVE this!!! i am trying to work on photography, but i really don't know much. tip #1 - endless backdrop! hehehe.

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  28. chefpandita.comJune 15, 2011 at 12:32 AM

    This is awesome :) thanks for sharing!

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  29. Lorraine @ Not Quite NigellaJune 15, 2011 at 12:51 AM

    That's a great tip Xiaolu! I must get some more fabric and experiment with colours :)

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  30. Mom-FridayJune 15, 2011 at 4:07 AM

    Yes this is very basic with food and product shots! now I miss my old work at the ad agency where I get involved in styling!
    I just don't get to apply it on my blog since I don't have materials and good lighting :)))

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  31. Patty @ backdrop photographyJune 15, 2011 at 5:30 AM

    The photo background is so simple but it has a special effect and the color that makes it look attractive.

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  32. Biren @ Roti n RiceJune 15, 2011 at 8:55 AM

    That's a great tip. I'll have to try it out. Thanks!

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  33. EA-The Spicy RDJune 15, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    Great tip! Thanks for sharing, and I hope you share more!

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  34. Christine @ Pure Joy EventsJune 15, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    Thanks for the tip. I'm still in awe of your photos.

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  35. kitchen koalaJune 15, 2011 at 10:32 PM

    Such a neat little trick! Thanks for sharing the idea and link with us :)

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  36. WizzyTheStickJune 18, 2011 at 12:49 AM

    Love this tip. Very useful!

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  37. SarahJune 25, 2011 at 2:38 AM

    Wow! I never knew it was so simple! Thanks for sharing :) And thanks for visiting my blog :) You sure made my day :) You are one of those bloggers who have always inspired me with your breath-taking pics. And its such an awesome feeling to see your comment on my blog :)

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  38. heavenwildfleurJuly 27, 2011 at 6:54 AM

    Hi xiaolu, i've just stumbled upon your blog (and now prop closet!) and i can't thank you enough for sharing this tip. i'll definitely be following your blog closely from now on!

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I love hearing from you all! Please leave me a message if you have questions, advice, or just to let me know you stopped by. Your feedback is always very much appreciated. Thanks! <3 Xiaolu

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