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04/21/2006 06:32:59 PM · #1 |
Hi, well I'm brand new to the forum and also new to any sort of photography techniques - usually I just take what I think looks cool. However, I'm trying to learn more about techniques.
I've always seen pictures with perfect solid colored backgrounds but I can't figure out how to do that for my own photos. I don't have any sort of lighting besides the flash and natural light nor do I have any professional backgrounds. Is there a way to do it without these things?
Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm trying to do a background like this for one of the current challenges (my first one!) but can only get a mediocre result. |
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04/21/2006 06:36:20 PM · #2 |
| Many times for a black background I use a piece of black velvet from the fabric store or a piece of black foam core. Both are very cheap. The fabric seems to refelct less light but can be a bit linty. Easy to fix with photshop. I have also used a piece of white foam core for white backgrounds. |
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04/21/2006 07:17:40 PM · #3 |
The best way to get black backgrounds is to make sure the black backdrop receies much less light than the subject. Use as much distance as possible between the subject and backdrop.
Solid-color backgrounds rely on, well, a solid color backdrop, evenly lit. The evenly lit part is the key. The lighting on the backdrop must also be such as to produce correct exposure relative to the subject.
You can do lighting on the cheap with halogen work lamps and homemade reflectors and diffusers... just don't get stuff in contact with the hot lamps! White foam boards makes great, inexpensive reflectors.
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04/21/2006 07:45:47 PM · #4 |
| Too bad I don't have Photoshop, but thank you for the tips. I'm going to give them a try this weekend. |
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04/21/2006 07:49:56 PM · #5 |
In each of the following I used poster board as background. In some cases I used photoshop techniques to de-emphasize the background. My counsel: Keep it simple.
  
  
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05/01/2006 10:34:17 AM · #6 |
| For black, velvet works well. For white, rolls of paper. If you can, keep distance between your background and your subject. That way you can control the light on each independently. If you use halogen work lamps be careful not to let things get too close. |
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