What makes a good background image for my design?

The quality of your background image significantly impacts how realistic and useful your design will be. Here's what makes a great background photo:

Photo Quality

Good lighting:

• Take photos during daytime with even, natural light
• Avoid harsh midday sun that creates strong shadows
• Overcast days often provide the most even lighting
• Avoid photos taken at dawn or dusk when colors are distorted

Clear, sharp images:

• Use the highest resolution your camera or phone can capture
• Hold the camera steady or use a tripod
• Ensure the area is in focus
• Avoid blurry or grainy images

Camera Angle

Eye level or slightly elevated:

• Stand at normal eye height (5-6 feet)
• Slightly elevated positions (standing on a stepladder) can show more ground area
• Avoid extreme upward or downward angles
• Keep the camera level rather than tilted

Straight-on view:

• Face the area directly rather than from the side
• Capture the space as you would see it standing in front of it
• This helps with perspective and makes plant placement more accurate

Photo Content

Show the full area:

• Include the entire space you want to design
• Capture reference points like house walls, fences, or walkways
• Include some surrounding context for scale

Clear, unobstructed view:

• Remove temporary items (hoses, toys, trash cans) before photographing
• Wait for people and pets to move out of the frame
• Avoid shooting through windows or screens

Different angles (optional):

• Take multiple photos from different positions
• You can create separate designs for different views
• Wide shots and close-ups both have value

File Format

Supported formats:

• JPEG (.jpg)
• PNG (.png)
• WEBP (.webp)
• Most common image formats work great

File size:

• Most modern phone and camera photos work perfectly
• Very large files (over 10MB) may take longer to upload
• Files that are too small (under 200KB) may not provide enough detail

Common Problems to Avoid

• Too dark or backlighting - Adjust your position so light is behind you
• Too far away - Get closer to show better detail
• Extreme angles - Keep the camera relatively level
• Cluttered with temporary items - Clean the area first
• Partial view - Capture the complete space you want to design

Pro Tips

• Take photos at the same time of day you'll usually see the space
• Consider how sun and shade patterns might affect your design
• Photograph in sections if one photo can't capture the whole area
• Keep the original photo in case you want to start over