My "Shoestring Studio"

I promised to share a few of my 'probably not-so-secret' secrets for creating my little 'studio on a shoestring' for taking close-ups and macros. It will take a few days to do this, so I'll concentrate on one thing at a time and see where it goes. If anyone has any little tips of their own they'd like to share, please feel free to post them in the comment section.

I buy colorful foam sheets and felt sheets approximately 9" x 12". They come in a wide variety of colors and are very inexpensive. You can find them in the crafts department. The advantage of the foam is that it is slightly rigid and can be easily leaned against something behind the object you're photographing. If the object is really tiny, you can curve the foam and use it as both a platform and a background. It is also smooth in texture. The felt is really nice if you want just a little bit of texture.

Foam:

Felt:

Here are a few examples of images taken with these backgrounds:

(Hot Chocolate - felt sheet)



(Rocking Horse - foam sheet)


(Bear - 2 foam sheets - one under, one behind)


(Shell - foam sheet)


By the way...

"...I have the world's largest collection of sea shells.
I keep it scattered on beaches all over the world.
Maybe you've seen some of it..."
~ Steven Wright ~