When you think about stunning photographs, what comes to mind first? Is it the lighting? The composition? It should actually be the background. The right background offers a lot of benefits, whether you’re shooting an abstract white background and product image for use on Amazon or want your artwork to stand out on iOS and Android devices. Of course, finding the right background can be pretty challenging. We’ve done all the legwork for you and found 13 of the best free and paid white background options, from abstract white to gradient backgrounds.
The best free and paid white background you should consider
Plain white background
This is a plain white background that can be used for almost any purpose, from photographing inventory for an ecommerce store to stock photography. With a resolution of 1920×900, you’ll have enough resolution that viewers can zoom in without any loss of quality, too. It’s available as a JPG file, but not a PNG, and has a copyright license for commercial use.
Texture background
This is a texture background that looks similar to painted concrete or a textured wall. Using a white textured background can add some visual interest to your images and help them stand out from those using a plain white background. It’s also free to use with Unsplash’s license. The original size is 2959 x 4438, so you’ll have excellent resolution. Like the plain white background above, this one is available as a JPG, but not a PNG.
Abstract background
Looking for something a bit more avant-garde? Check out this abstract background. It’s reminiscent of M.C. Escher’s artwork and features interlocking cubes, with an overlaid grid of lines. Unlike the previous background, this one is not available for free. It will cost you $11 unless you’re a member of Creative Market. it does come with a creative license and features a native resolution of 4500 x 3000 pixels. It’s also available as a JPG.
Gradient background
While not technically a plain white background, this gradient background offers a lot of visual interest. The grainy gradient is reminiscent of old film and TV static and can make a wonderful backdrop for a wide range of images. This is not a free image and will cost $18. It has a native resolution of 6000 x 4000 pixels, with 300 DPI, and is available as a JPG. It blurs the lines between a white and black background to give a high-quality, monochrome option.
White textured background
As much gray as white, this textured background creates an interesting backdrop for your photography. Its native resolution is 3113 x 2076 pixels and comes with a commercial license. It’s not available for free, though. You’ll need a membership to Envato Elements, but there’s a 7-day free trial available.
Pure white background
Want a pure white background with nothing to distract the viewer from the main image? This is it. It’s one of Shutterstock’s most popular options for product photography, and you can choose from two resolutions – 5472 x 3648 pixels or 1000 x 667 pixels. Both have 300 DPI and come in JPG format.
Minimalist white backdrop
If you’ll be shooting product photography, why not invest in a minimalist white backdrop? Instead of using Photoshop to manipulate the background, this 8 x 10-foot backdrop allows you to get everything you need in one shot, provided you have the right camera settings and flash for white background photos.
White bokeh background
This white bokeh background offers a stunning difference compared to most stock photos thanks to the explosion of light. That makes it easy to position products at the center and add some visual excitement to the composition. It’s also a high-resolution image, at 7500 x 5000 pixels.
White wall
If you’re looking for a budget option that allows you to take stunning photos, consider a plain white wall. You can use interior walls or exterior walls. Textured paint, flat painted sheetrock, white painted brick – these are just some of the options that you can use to create your own template for product photography or for any other needs.
White paper background
This background is reminiscent of crumpled white paper and makes a great background for a wide range of needs, including product photography. It’s free to use and comes with an original resolution of 4606 x 3450 pixels. Want deeper shadows or different textures? Explore the related photos below.
White watercolor background
With a delicate texture, this white watercolor background makes an interesting backdrop for just about any photo you might want to take. The resolution is 5441 x 3627 pixels, and it comes with a commercial license. It’s not free to use, though.
White canvas background
Looking for a luscious texture for use in your everyday photography? This paper and canvas background is lovely and costs only $13. You’ll actually get 16 different JPG files, all of which come with a native resolution of 6000 x 4000 pixels and 300 DPI.
Black and white squares
Whether you want to create an optical illusion or just love the classic combination of black and white, this background delivers the visual composition you need. And with a cost of $9, it’s affordable, too. With that being said, the resolution is just 2322 x 2322, so it may be too small for some uses.
Conclusion
There you have them – 13 of the best options for anyone in need of a white background. From hexagon-like cubes to textured paper to pristine, unmarred white, there’s something available for everyone. And not all of the options are designed for manipulation in Photoshop.
You can create your own white background with photos of white walls, and the white backdrop allows you to take your own photos of products and people without having to add a background in post-production. Explore the options we’ve outlined here and you’re sure to find several options that help you take your photography to the next level, whether you work with ecommerce companies or focus on fashion photography.