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04/21/2004 11:03:51 AM · #1 |
I read an article some time ago about using a flash to isolate the foreground. The example showed a flower that was properly lit, but the background was very dark, almost black. The article explained how to do this, but I have been unable to locate it again. Does anyone know how to do this?
Thanks!
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04/21/2004 11:13:41 AM · #2 |
I generally try and reduce the flash to it's lowest output so it doesn't overexpose the flower (assuming you are shooting from a fairly close range). The background then needs to be out of the reach of the flash, which is what will make it look dark. Unfortunately, I don't have any good examples up at the moment.
The one below was taken using that technique, however, the background is not evenly dark because I was partially shooting into the sky ... but the background is much darker compared to others I took w/out flash ...
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04/21/2004 11:43:25 AM · #3 |
I believe one way is to shoot at smaller apertures (that is, larger Æ’-numbers). This helps the flash only effectively illuminate the close foreground elements, and the stuff that is further away doesn't reflect enough ambient or flash light to be recorded by the sensor and is effectively underexposed, resulting in a "dark" background. You may have to adjust the aperture and flash output power to achieve the desired results, but it seems like it should be possible. (But I'm just guessing...)
Message edited by author 2004-04-21 11:51:31. |
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04/21/2004 11:48:39 AM · #4 |
The basic idea is to have a subject that is more lit than the background.
Assuming a mid-toned foreground subject (that you expose correctly for) you want a background that is about 2.5 stops or more lighter than the foreground. The basic principle is that you have about 5 stops range of exposure - and you 'pick' the center value with your exposure choice - or bias it appropriately in another direction.
Anything outside that 5 stop range either goes to black, or to white. You just need to place your subject and background at the correct points on that scale to get the effect you wanted - flash helps you move this around a bit is all.
You don't even need flash to do this - but flash can be used to raise the value of the foreground subject - to further push the background in to shadows.
With careful subject selection and lighting:
Leaf is around +1.5EV over a mid tone, background is close to -2EV from the mid tone level, hence almost going black. It didn't look this way when I took the shot.
Or with flash - again the subject is effectively mid toned, and the background in this case was about 2.5 to 3 stops below that value.
Message edited by author 2004-04-21 11:51:18.
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04/21/2004 11:50:14 AM · #5 |
Lots of ambient light on the subject to begin with. Flash really close to subject but difused so it's not too harsh. There was a set of light oak cabinets directly behind the subject at about 4 feet away.
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04/21/2004 11:51:02 AM · #6 |
if you are doing this inside like a studio type shot, move your back ground as far back as you can, like a piece of black posterboard.
here is one example, but no flash was used, only a spot light
Flower
this is another one
James
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