A black tile alternative

The Strobist and many others recommend using a black tile to place your subject on when doing close up studio photography. It’s great advice, providing you can find one that’s a) big enough and b) not in a pack of 5 for £20!

I bought some black cardboard Kassett storage boxes from Ikea recently, and reached for one when testing a studio setup. I just wanted something matte black to stand my subject on but it wasn’t until I viewed the shots that I realised the box lid wasn’t quite as matte as I thought it was.