What's the best way to white background photo large items?

[VintageFabricStudios]

I am coming to the realization that a white background is a must. But I make quilts that won't fit into a light box to create that perfect back drop.

The best thing I can think of is to tightly secure a white sheet to the ground in the shade and place them onto there.

I am no professional photographer but I can take a decent shot. Do you think this would work well?

Anyone been in this situation and found a killer way to shoot product photos? Please help a girl out :)!
Thanks!

[Former_Member]

yes, I think a white sheet is a great idea! what about hanging them somehow on a white wall, too?

[Former_Member]

I really like the ones you've done hanging in front of a fence! Maybe pop an ironed white sheet behind and you're on to a winner? Have a search on other people's shops who make quilts and see what their photography is like :)

[hydeandstitched]

What led to the ultimate decision to go white? I am always in favor of white, except I really like your fence ones. I don't know what kind of expense you are looking at but you could always paint a section of the fence white ;)

Other than that I think if you had a folded version on plain white (so you didn't have such a wide angle) with the top section showing important detail, that'd also be effective, especially in conjunction with the fence ones.

[VintageFabricStudios]

Thanks for the input everyone!

The white background decision was prompted by other etsy sellers saying it's a good idea over and over. But once I thought about it I think being a buyer and seeing the background of the person who is making an item - ie like in my living room it is kinda a turn off.
I think sellers want to know it's handmade but not get to personal about it. White is a nice way to lay it out and show it off but with the buyer inserting their own life into the photo.
That said I like the fence photos too....and other quilt shops i've seen who do it well blend the rustic into their photos - hardly a white background in sight!

And I don't have a white wall in my house big enough to shoot on. Or I would try that!

Maybe a good mix of on the fence with a white background full front and back would work best.

Also what about a shot on a bed? Would that help me out?

[Former_Member]

Check out uniquelynancy and btaylorquilts here on Etsy. They both have excellwnt quilt shots. Truthfully, trying to find a way to shoot quilts is one of the reasons I don't list any.

[Former_Member]

I also think the fence looks really nice. It adds a homey feel to your quilts and isn't that why we buy them.

[Former_Member]

I think white backgrounds are great! The sheet should work, but if you're seeing too much texture from the fabric, you might try a white shower curtain, or plastic table cloth over the white sheet. I love the look of these vintage sari throws folded on a white background... http://pinterest.com/pin/287174913710164336/
hope that helps!

[Former_Member]

Good point Kat. Maybe one shot on the fence and include one of the quilt folded on a white background?

[Former_Member]

Good idea, Lucy! I would do one on a white background, ans use that as the main image, so it's more likely to show up in a treasury. You can still use the fence shots to show more of the quilt.

I should mention, ne thing I didn't like about the sari throws I linked to, was that there was ONLY the one shot of the throw folded up. You couldn't see what the whole thing looked like!

[Former_Member]

I love the look of these 2 shots:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/106326235/rag-puff-quilt-pattern-pdf-file?ref=sr_gallery_18&ga_search_qu...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/108232194/marmalade-flower-girl-quilt-kit-by?ref=sr_gallery_30&ga_search...

The small baby quilt just pops on the first picture; if you don't have a baby crib, you could try a piece of white fencing bought at a hardware store for a simular look. Or, look at garage sales for one to paint; I bought one that I took apart and made into my shop sign for $5! The second picture is my fav for full quilts; it shows the quilt in a real setting with a neutral bed as a prop. For other ideas, I wold take out your quilt books - most of them show the quilts in themed rooms/settings or displayed outside, too. The all white I don;t think is the same for a quilt as it is for a small ornament.

[Former_Member]

I buy a white canvas (whatever size you need) the low quality ones are cheap and fine for pictures since your not painting on them. Then I use my Cannon Rebel to take many, many, many, many pictures of each of my items at every angle and use a photo editor to really brighten the background and make it look as white as ety's background.

[VintageFabricStudios]

Wow! Thanks for all these amazing suggestions. The vibe I'm getting is that quilts don't need a white background....but it would be helpful to have a couple of shots with the white back drop mixed with a few pretty on the fence or across a bed.
I will be picking up a canvas drop cloth from home depot this weekend!
Seriously amazing forum, I'm new this and this advice is just what I needed!
Thanks!

[Former_Member]

I use a huge textured white poster board. I would suggest going to the Parent-Teacher store and getting bulletin board paper for your quilts.

[Former_Member]

I love the idea of seeing your quilts on a bed, but it might be tricky making it look nice. Gotta be careful with that. As for the white background I am always all for it. I think that even folding up your quilts and laying just the corner on a white surface would be a good idea.

[Former_Member]

I love the images that Nicolette shared. I also love these pics of quilts on a blog:
http://www.filminthefridge.com/2010/07/20/far-far-away-2-quilt-with-the-registered-holsteins/

I really don't think that a white background is necessary with your quilts.