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05/20/2006 01:15:51 AM · #1 |
Hi,
I've seen a lot of photos - macro and with medium size objects and portraits that have a black background. I was wondering if somebody could enlighten me on the ways to get that.
Thanks,
Swapna
Message edited by author 2006-05-20 01:19:05. |
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05/20/2006 01:17:11 AM · #2 |
Black velvet is the mosst efficient background. It absorbs quite a bit of light.
Message edited by author 2006-05-20 01:17:38.
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05/20/2006 01:44:59 AM · #3 |
| ... And keep the background well back of the subject. Keep the light off the background and on the subject. Snoots and other light modifiers are your friend. |
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05/20/2006 01:49:49 AM · #4 |
Go to your local fabric store and go through the remnents section, I picked up 5x8 foot piece of black velet for somewhere around 6 bucks...
BTW: If you have cats, don't let them anywhere near the thing or get a years supply of those sticky lint remover thingys.
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05/20/2006 02:20:39 AM · #5 |
Originally posted by TechnoShroom:
... And keep the background well back of the subject. Keep the light off the background and on the subject. |
Yeah, that's usually what I do.
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05/20/2006 04:48:51 AM · #6 |
Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
Black velvet is the mosst efficient background. It absorbs quite a bit of light. |
I agree on the black velvet. I bought mine at a fabric store a couple years ago. I wish I had went ahead and bought 2 lengths of it and sewed them together for a wider one! (mine is only 4-5ft wide)
I have a black muslin background that does work....but I much prefer the velvet.
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05/20/2006 04:52:18 AM · #7 |
Yup on the black velvet, just be careful which black velvet you get.
We nearly bought a real cheap one. It was polyester and went all shiny under lights. Then there was the one at $34 a metre but that didn't look any different to the $12/metre one that we bought and that works just fine
Brett |
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05/20/2006 08:36:03 AM · #8 |
For large subjects, I went to walmart and bought black material that is kind of like poly and spandex together. No real shine to it, but it doesn't wrinkle. It cost $1 a yard. Works great. I don't have a studio. I just tape it to my wall wherever I want it.
For small objects and macros, I have a thin velvet on one side that has a sports nylon on the back. Came with my light tent, and works very well. |
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05/20/2006 12:24:40 PM · #9 |
Thank you. That was a big help.
Do you use small black boards for macro subjects outside the studio? |
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05/20/2006 12:28:45 PM · #10 |
I have many different backgrounds for the light tent, black, gray and white for the wall and yes, also one white and one black 48" mat board for shots outside the light tent - also used around the yard/house for various shots.
Message edited by author 2006-05-20 12:29:48. |
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05/20/2006 01:30:50 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by mystardream:
Thank you. That was a big help.
Do you use small black boards for macro subjects outside the studio? |
Along with my white foam core boards I do have some flat black foam core boards that I do use for macro product shots at work. They work nicely, no shine or glare. I'm thinking they are 2ft by 4ft. Pretty easy to work with. |
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05/20/2006 02:02:57 PM · #12 |
| i've found black felt works fairly well too. |
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05/20/2006 02:51:58 PM · #13 |
| I also find black felt works very well. There is never a shine on it no matter what your lighting, and it drapes well over foamcore board which adds more opaqueness to it. I have also used various solid tableclothes, colored tissue paper draped on foamcore and layered at different densitys to get more or less color, and I've even used matboard. Just about anything will do. If you want to add a pattern to the back you can get some nice cottons that are used for quilting. I am a fabriholic, so needless to say I have dozens of colors and sizes. I haven't tried silk yet, but I have some pretty teal silk which might find its way into some challenge or another, depending on the subject. |
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