Arranging objects, people, animals, and plants for a photograph can be quite difficult, especially if there's noise (e.g., clutter on the floor). It's much easier to photograph an individual person or thing against a solid background and then add/subtract filler items for context. In gardening photography, this is called a specimen shot where the only thing of interest is an individual plant, flower, or leaf, and this kind of photography can be its own separate category in a gardening photography competition.
White backgrounds show a lot of shadows and imperfections, and something white against something white doesn't really show a lot of detail. However, something white against something black can really highlight the details that might have otherwise been missed, and it's dead easy to create a black background, too.
This Instructable shows how to create a black background in a photograph quickly and inexpensively, and while the examples involve plants, this method is not exclusive to gardening photography of specimens. It can be easily used for photographing items, people, and animals. Probably the best part of this method though is that there is very little editing needed.
To create a perfectly white background, please check out my latest Instructable and get tips on making subjects look shiny and wet!
White backgrounds show a lot of shadows and imperfections, and something white against something white doesn't really show a lot of detail. However, something white against something black can really highlight the details that might have otherwise been missed, and it's dead easy to create a black background, too.
This Instructable shows how to create a black background in a photograph quickly and inexpensively, and while the examples involve plants, this method is not exclusive to gardening photography of specimens. It can be easily used for photographing items, people, and animals. Probably the best part of this method though is that there is very little editing needed.
To create a perfectly white background, please check out my latest Instructable and get tips on making subjects look shiny and wet!
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Signing UpStep 1: Materials for Outdoor Shots
The most inexpensive and potentially the easiest way to create a black background is to photograph outdoors.
You will need a sunny day with long shadows and architectural shade (e.g., a building or a car). If you do not have a dark surface, you will probably want something black to put on the ground such as a sheet of black poster board or black fabric.
You will need a sunny day with long shadows and architectural shade (e.g., a building or a car). If you do not have a dark surface, you will probably want something black to put on the ground such as a sheet of black poster board or black fabric.
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I'm a newbie photographer and only had luck getting black backgrounds shooting in the dark (no ambient light behind object) closeup with flash. The background just disappears.
I have some navy velvet I'm going to try with your method. Now where did I put that bubble wrap? ;)
BTW, ( if you're a newbie like me) Some really good instructions for "Pick Black Point" are on
Really basic photo editing with GIMP
http://world.std.com/~mmcirvin/gimp_tutorial/levels_curves.html
http://www.instructables.com/id/Better-Sterno-Alternative/
Sometimes I quite like a load of mess in the background, just so people don't get the idea that things get made 'easily', or in a clean way (by me anyway) ;)
But most of the time I am twisting about in all sorts of wacky ways to try and cut out unnecessary fussiness. I think this should help a lot.
Thanks for the clear instructions.
B.
Thanks for the comment! Even if you don't use this for Instructables, the method might be useful in other ways.
Thanks again for the ible, useful stuff.
Admittedly I use levels in tutorials too because they're easiest to explain.
Thanks!
As far as the background goes, you can use pretty much anything, if you set the camera in macro-mode (better yet, pick up a macro lens, a 50-mm or 100-mm), the f-stop is usually low enough to provide a very narrow depth-of field, which will take any background and throw it out of focus. The further away the background is, the more out of focus it becomes, until it becomes a solid blur behind your subject. This way you won't have to worry about any imperfections on your background, they're pretty much invisible at this point anyway. Anything noticeable should be easy to GIMP/Photoshop out.
Other fabrics can make great backgrounds, diffusers or reflectors at low prices. If you are looking for translucents make sure the weave will not result in a moire effect. That can be a real pain, especially with digital cameras.
Anyway, the idea of a black background with a chalk board appeals to me. I will try it in my next I'ble (coming) soon.
Could use some general pointers though...
Actually, one day at Hobby Lobby, I said, "To hell with it," and bought a bunch of poster board to experiment with. My favorites are the metallics, white, and black.