Could someone explain, simply, how to make the background of a close-up photo white?

delilah24 wrote on 10/22/2014, 9:59 PM

I am taking close-up photos of small handmade items I wish to sell online. I have used the trial and error method thus far.. .turns out, all error! I need simple instructions on how to make the background of my photos white to emphasize the items I wish to sell. I would totally appreciate someone taking time to explain.

I am using the free version of Magix Photo Designer 7

Windows 7 on my desktop Asus PC. (not Mac)

Not sure if my selection below "Product selection" is correct. Did not see Magix Photo Designer 7 there.

Thanks

Comments

browj2 wrote on 10/26/2014, 2:20 PM

Hi,

I see that no one has dared tackle this trick question.

You say that you are taking close-up photos and you want the background to be white. Then the most obvious course of action would be to use a white tablecloth or bed sheet and to place the items on it, making sure to drape the linen vertically as well as horizontally so that both vertical and horizontal surfaces are white.

If you already have taken the pictures and you want to cut around the objects to isolate them from the background, then you need a program like Xara Photo & Graphics Designer or Xara Designer Pro. Magix Photo Designer 7 does not do this type of editing.

delilah24 wrote on 10/26/2014, 2:35 PM

browj2

thanks for taking time to answer. i do use a white background sheet for my photos, but it always turns out with a yellowish cast as i don't have bright professional lighting and it can't be made pure white by adjusting the exposure. your second paragraph pretty much answers my question. at least i know now that it's not something i didn't figure out. thanks again!

johnebaker wrote on 10/26/2014, 4:14 PM

. . . . it always turns out with a yellowish cast as i don't have bright professional lighting. . . . can't be made pure white by adjusting the exposure. . . .

Adjusting the exposure will not fix this issue - the yellow cast is usually caused by the camera not setting the colour balance / white point correctly and using mixed colour temperature source(s) eg daylight and tungsten lighting.

Depending on the camera you are using this can be adjusted. Consult your cameras manual about how to set white balance manually

For table top lighting you do not need professional lighting to get an acceptable lighting rig - 2 or 3 bright white LED desk lamps (no heat), some thin white gauze (as a diffuser) and a couple of sheets of bright white card as reflectors are all that is necessary.

For the background John CB has made one recommendation using linen - however make sure this has no creases - press the cloth with a steam iron before using.

Alternatively buy a wide roll of bright white paper from any artists supply shop or on-line and drape this behind and under the objects - you can make a support of some kind for this.

Keep it far enough back ( hence the 'wide' above ) so there are no shadows cast on it by the objects and/or place one LED lamp to illuminate the background. Set your exposure for the object.

Note you will need to play around with lamp to background distance to get the levels right.

If you search Google and Youtube there are a lot of examples of home made rigs for photography and video which you may find useful.

HTH

John