Need some wood (flooring)? How I complete my portrait sets using wall paneling & planks flooring

Video Camera
Shot in RAW with a Canon EOS C200 amzn.to/3g3lPug
Sigma 50mm F1.4 Art DG HSM Lens for Canon amzn.to/36qmzE5
Slider
Kessler Philip Bloom Signature Series Pocket Dolly
Kessler Crane Second Shooter Bundle (3-Axis) amzn.to/32DwohJ
LED Lighting
Aputure 120D lights amzn.to/32T3I6F
Mola Setti 28″ Softlight amzn.to/3jCeZOF
Plume Wafer 75 Softbox
At the risk of my younger photography viewers incorrectly groaning, “ok boomer,” I am going to start today’s post with a story from my not too distant past.
In 2004, I was hired to take photos at the second debate between President George W. Bush and John Kerry, Democratic candidate. When the challenger suggested Bush owned a timber company, he responded “need some wood?”
Fast forward to 2016 when I started shooting portraits with painted backdrops, and suddenly wood flooring became very important to me aesthetically.
So I'd like to offer some suggestions for you the next time you're looking for some wood - flooring. While a number of photography-oriented businesses sell floor drops, the ones I have seen look very fake. However, I have found that wall paneling from a hardware store is the best solution to get the job done. The 4x8 foot sheets look like real wood in photos, and two sheets will give you a great platform to work with. Plus, you can swap out one pattern for another in seconds.
I store mine on top of each other on my concrete floor or I stack them on the wall with my V-flats.
Since most of my backdrops are about 7-feet wide, it seems like you could cut them down to 4x7 feet if you wanted to make them lighter and even more maneuverable.
Originally, I tired getting by with just one sheet per color. but it was too narrow or too shallow depending on how you oriented them in front of the backdrop. So, I ended up having to extend it in Photoshop with content aware fill or live with my subject casting a shadow on the backdrop respectively.
The one I use most is Weathered Barnwood, which I bought from Lowes Home Improvement for less than $20 a sheet. If you examine at it closely in person you’ll notice that it’s essentially an image printed on a manufactured base.
The other one I use is Gray Homesteader. At $33.48, it is a bit pricier, but that’s because the texture is “real.”
Home Depot also sells similar products, and while I have found some great options in other cities, I haven’t found anything that I like in the stores where I live.
Now These sheets may be too large for some people to maneuver in the studio or too wide for your space. Another solution could be using tongue and groove flooring which comes in packs of planks. You may need 3-4 packs to get the same coverage, which would likely cost more than the paneling. However, the planks often shift during nearly every step of the shoot, which will show in the photos and cost you time in post to fix gaps. I have used them on caret before, but I had to put down a subfloor made out of folding tables. Of course, large plywood sheets would have been better, but is not always available.
Lighter wood tones, may match your backdrop, but keep in mind that they will reflect more light and my make it hard for you to create a dramatic portrait.
Music: Evolution and Hapiness by Bensound bensound.com/

[@rodmehta5356]

Hi, cabinetmaker here: the best non-destructive way to join floor planks without tools is to join them lengthwise into rows first (say three at 1.2m = 3.6m), and then flip the rows together along their long edge by gently tilting all three up at once and gently lowering them into the groove of the other row's click-mechanism. Works well for short rows up to five planks, after that it gets wobbly for a single person. I worked as a set builder/cabinetmaker/carpenter for a few years when I lived in Germany. You dissemble the floor in the reverse order without tools, completely non-destructive (my mate used to pick up set floors that way and flog them 'as new' after the shoot). The only problem with vinyl or mdf planks is that, despite being small, they are heavy and you dont want to knock the edges. For that reason I recommend getting 8 or 12mm plywood sheets, and if you need grey ones that look like old planks, just get one litre of vinegar, put a handful of steel wool into it for a week or so to make a chemical stain/solution and then brush it on. A litre does several panels. Turns yellow pine or hardwood veneer grey within 20 minutes by chemical reaction and it preserves the matte texture and the grain (which would be lost if you painted it). And it's super cheap! Scuff marks come off with a clear eraser (like pencil). If you need a planking look, you can draw black lines on them with a sharpie + straight edge and stagger the 'joins'. Black and brown paint spots can make it look more 'ragged'. I just made cheap grey plywood background panels that way. Not saying I know everything, but it might help someone out there. Every project is a team building exercise :-) Many thanks for the informative uploads!

[@JohnGress]

Great tips. Thanks Rod!

[@tintin69rr]

Awesome nice one

[@Barefoot.mamaaa]

Thank you so much for this!! I have been searching Amazon and KZbin for ideas on how to put some wood flooring over my carpet for photos and this is EXACTLY what I was wanting! 😍

[@JohnGress]

That’s great! Thank you.

[@voidmine569]

Same! Thanks, John.

[@DoctorFashion]

So glad you posted where you got your stuff including details on the pricing .. I was able to find it at Lowe’s .. the team member that was trying to help me had no clue what I was talking about 💀💀

[@JohnGress]

You are so welcome! I am glad I was more helpful than the team member! ;)

[@gphotographybyg]

I actually use the planks because they're easier for me to store. I was able to get 4 variations so I have options. I do use gaffing tape to keep the gaps at bay. One of the best ideas you've shared.

[@JohnGress]

That makes sense. I guess I took for granted that leaning a 4x8 on your wall isn't a big deal, unless of course you have 8' ceilings.

[@wesleyhyun]

I'm thinking about using the planks as well. Do you use gaffing tape horizontally over multiple planks or each plank vertically? Also do you remove the tapes each shoot or do a fold & stack?

[@tintin69rr]

Brill enjoying your videos I’ve not done any studio stuff for like over 30 years back when I was training with the local wedding photographer , but recently becoming a granddad I decided to do the odd shoot for the lil one then I thought about some proper studio lights then got a full set 3 godox with soft boxes diffusers gels snoot brollies Bowens adapters 7” dish with several honeyCome inserts so then thought about some backdrops creating little scenes and now I’m half way through clearing the garage out to try create a lil studio set lol it’s fun learning all the lighting tips and tricks I’ve been shooting wildlife and landscapes mostly but enjoying creating the sets and stuff watching such as your videos for tips and ideas is great 👍🍻🍻🍻🍻

[@JohnGress]

Thanks. That is great to hear and good luck with your journey.

[@Worldlyroxi]

I appreciate this so muchhhhh! I am looking to create my own space for content creation and the wall panels are the moat perfect idea ever! THANK YOU

[@JohnGress]

That’s great to hear! Thank you!

[@bradmuse]

Excellent, my new home studio is carpeted and this is a great bit of advice.

[@JohnGress]

Great to hear!

[@martinbackhauss106]

I was just wondering about that and ...there you posted it. Thank you! Super helpful as usual.l Greetings from California, John.

[@JohnGress]

Martin Backhauss perfect timing! Thanks Martin!

[@TheAnitdote]

Gotta subscribe to this channel. Not only is this guy informative, he's also hilarious.

[@JohnGress]

Ha! Thanks!

[@andybowlin]

Better look for some wall panels. Thanks John! I used vinyl wood floor with sticky back and stuck them to sheets of plywood wood. Still can move around but I bit heavier. Thanks for the panel idea. I do use white wall panel with white paper for a shiny floor effect.

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! I use to have white and black plexiglass. I kind of wish I hadn't given it up when I moved. You just reminded me I forgot about linoleum that looks like wood. I decided against using it because I figured you had to leave it flat on the floor to keep it from curling.

[@andybowlin]

John Gress yes and when I lean it against wall for too long, some fall off:/. I like your idea. Thrifty white tile board is useful for white though.

[@darkB2266]

Thank you John Gress for your videos and advices.

[@JohnGress]

Glad you like them! Thank you!

[@TaiwoOrimadegun]

OMG. I need to hug you for this. I always heart your floorings. Then I saw in another Photog Group mentioning this. I've been hell bent on getting those Mat, Vinyl ish so I can roll them easily for keep, since I shoot from Apartment., but they are freaking expensive. While I was in Lowes two days ago, I decided to search and you came up! I got me the Weathered Barnwood and a white Smooth Wall there and then. Wish I should have gotten the Gray too. Thank you so much for sharing 😍

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! That is great to hear! Yeah those vinyl ones would have been a disaster on carpet.

[@TaiwoOrimadegun]

@@JohnGress Yes. What I reckon. I have a rug in my Apartment. I know they won’t be perfect. Thanks once again. I hope to learn more from you. You do ah!mazing work Bro. 👌🏾🙌🏾 Now I’m eyeing those Lamps and Ladders too. 😉🤣

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 I really appreciate it. I have another video called “what are those lights” which you might be interested in.

[@TaiwoOrimadegun]

@@JohnGress OH yeah. Let me go search for it. Thank you Boss man 😍

[@jamdontaylor]

Thanks for this tutorial. Talk about timing, I came across this and I was actually planning on going to HD this afternoon to look at the wood floor planks....I prefer the idea of the wall panels. Cheers!

[@JohnGress]

Just in the nick of time! Glad I could help!

[@e.christianmoreno8192]

Thanks for the video, I was looking for this option and you just push me the right direction, great video

[@JohnGress]

Glad I could help! I found good optioned recently at home depot too.

[@studiochristopher]

Great ideas awesome video

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Eric! I took my life into my own hands last week shooting that B-Roll ;)

[@jacquelintucker911]

I was thinking of this I’m glad most have worked for you I’m going to try it out

[@JohnGress]

Sounds great!

[@michaelmiller1406]

Thanks for the flooring option!

[@JohnGress]

You bet!

[@Davidkativu]

Seriously saved me big time! Awesome video!!

[@JohnGress]

Glad to hear it!

[@patthompson1253]

Very helpful John

[@JohnGress]

Glad to hear it! Thanks!

[@dab7963]

This was great I bought two of them today and they are fantastic.

[@JohnGress]

Great! Glad you like them!

[@dab7963]

@@JohnGress yes took my basement photography studio to the next level. Such a clever idea.

[@PhD4me]

Great idea ❤

[@JohnGress]

Thanks! I hope it helps.

[@tedodeh2047]

Great tip! Thanks for sharing!

[@JohnGress]

Thanks Ted!

[@dab7963]

What a fantastic solution I'm going to go to home Depot tomorrow I do have one question however my photography studio is in the basement and it's carpeted I have a bunch of seamless paper and obviously when that is ruled out on carpeting if somebody steps on it with high heels or a dog with nails it punches holes can I roll the seamless paper out on top of these wood panels it seems like it would serve both purposes beautifully. Thanks for your amazing videos

[@JohnGress]

Thank you! It sounds like I should’ve put that in the video. As long as you are using non-textured wall paneling, it will work great if there is a woodgrain pattern or brick pattern on the wall paneling then you can usually flip it over and the other side will be smooth.

[@dab7963]

@@JohnGress perfect this enables me to use it both with seamless paper and flip it over and use it with the textured side when that is what is needed. Thanks for your great video

[@tiarerush1895]

New fan here, your work is gorgeous!

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much!

[@brandoncharles9667]

I glued mine to some thin plywood, time consuming but looks nice

[@JohnGress]

Right on. That's a good way to do it too.

[@lgm9324]

I must have wished for this out loud...

[@JohnGress]

L Gm I thought I heard something! 😁

[@METAL4K-UK]

Sometimes I get away with copying the edge of the floor and stretching the layer off the edge of the photo. Another way (to prevent stretching the resolution) is to duplicate the image and then rotate this image horizontally 180 degrees. Copying the floor will fit perfectly to the opposite side on the original photo. But less messing about to avoid it completely.

[@JohnGress]

Thanks for the tips.

[@QuantzPhoto]

Great tips, John - Gen-Xers Unite!

[@JohnGress]

LOL thanks! I've got your back!

[@kyran336]

Fire

[@JohnGress]

Thank you so much! I hope it helps!

[@MrGuamani]

Awesome tip. Thank you, thank you

[@JohnGress]

Very welcome! Thanks!

[@ambitiousjamie1563]

Thank You 😊

[@JohnGress]

Thank you!

[@fotografbtstokkeas9511]

Hi John ! Those lights in the background is that old fresnell ?

[@JohnGress]

Yes they are! Here is a link to a video I made about them: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pXPOdoWrq9R0ntk

[@JEDINITE30]

The only drawback to the wall paneling is transporting it from the store unless you get them to cut it to smaller sections to fit in your car if a car is all you have.

[@JohnGress]

Yeah it only fit in my suv with the back door open. But this might be one of those times where renting a van for a few hours is a good idea.

[@drazenfoto]

Hello John. Can you tell me the name of the hardware store where you bought it? We don't have that here in Austria. Sorry is google translator :) greet Drazen

[@JohnGress]

Guten Tag! No problem Drazen. Its called Lowe's Home improvement.

[@904mr.flemming3]

Thank you sir!

[@JohnGress]

Thank you!

[@laneoliver]

Where do you get your backdrops?

[@JohnGress]

Stormbackdrops and Gravitybackdrops

[@eazis1]

what about use of lineolium on floor

[@JohnGress]

It might work if it' matte, but I have heard that people have problems with it laying flat instantly.

[@فؤادعبدالوهاب-س6م]

what type of backgrounds you use ??

[@JohnGress]

www.gravitybackdrops.com/

[@فؤادعبدالوهاب-س6م]

@@JohnGress thank you

[@JeremiahsJourney08]

Do you still recommend this 4 years later?

[@JohnGress]

Absolutely!

[@outisfound9956]

Gen X the generation the others want to be :D Kidding or am I

[@JohnGress]

Ha. Maybe 😉

[@shannanschisler8485]

I'm pretty sure you can still buy plans with all the details you need on Wood Prix plans.