HOW TO: Set up Two Backdrops, Maximising Depth in Tight Spaces

One of the greatest challenges in small-space product photography is creating separation between your product and the background. If the background is too close, the image can look flat, cluttered, or amateurish.

This clever dual-backdrop technique is designed to solve that problem. By manipulating the distance between two backdrops—one for the foreground/surface and a second for the background—you can easily create beautiful depth, maximise space behind your product, and ensure all focus remains on the item you are selling. This setup is particularly effective when pairing a realistic foreground with an abstract designs in the background.

The Separation Setup: Achieving Depth in a Small Area

The key to this method is using the two backdrops to isolate your product and create a realistic sense of visual distance.

Step 1: The Surface (Foreground Backdrop)

1. Placement: Lay your primary backdrop (the surface the product sits on) flat on your work table or floor. Choose a realistic or neutral texture here, such as a white concrete, light wood, or marble design.

2. Product Placement: Place your product near the front edge of this backdrop. The closer the product is to the camera, the more depth you will create between it and the background.

Step 2: The Background (Separation and Focus)

1. Vertical Support: Use a backdrop stand or clip a piece of foamboard onto a chair/wall behind your surface backdrop.

2. Background Choice: Attach your second backdrop—this is where your abstract designs, come in as realistic wood or tiles would looks strange if curved.

3. Create the Gap: Let the vertical backdrop curve away and up. This separation is what allows light to play differently on the background and contributes to a deeper field of focus.

Why This Dual-Backdrop Method Works

This technique delivers immediate professional results, especially for e-commerce and social media:

• Creates Visual Depth (3D Look): By separating the surface plane from the background plane, the camera captures a visible gap, which the human eye translates as depth, making the final image look three-dimensional rather than flat.

• Isolates the Product: The space and lighting differential create a natural visual break, effectively setting the stage for the product to become the clear hero of the shot.

• Ideal for Abstract Textures: When using abstract designs for the background, the separation allows you to gently soften or blur the background texture (using a shallow depth of field), keeping the focus laser-sharp on the product without the background becoming distracting.

• Low Camera Angle Power: When shooting from a slightly lower camera angle, this setup maximises the visual distance behind the product, creating a powerful, dynamic composition guaranteed to capture customer attention.

Pro Tip: Use Light to Isolate

Want maximum separation? Light the background and the product independently. A simple, soft secondary light aimed at the background backdrop will create a glow that visually pushes the surface backward, ensuring the sharp foreground product is entirely dominant.

Photo Credit: @bellas_.atelier