 Sylvia B. Toftness |
Black backgrounds How do you set your exposure to achieve a black background behind an object, such as a flower in the garden?
|
|
|
|
||
|
Damian P. Gadal |
I think what you're referring to is a shallow DOF - should get you close to the results you desire....
|
|
|
|
||
|
Michael H. Cothran |
Sylvia, Please check out my gallery. I have an outdoor picture of a red tulip against a black background. If this is your desire, I can certainly help you with it. However, I can offer some generic help right now - First, in order to achieve a black background, your flower must be brighter to begin with. Ideally, the flower will be lit by the sun - again, ideally, it should be backlit by the sun. Your background should be in the shade. If you can find this lighting scenario, you're in business. Be sure to meter the flower only, or if you are using an evaluative/matrix type meter, dial in a -1 to a -2 exposure. One of them will be what you're after. As long as your exposure is on the flower, the shaded background has no where to go but darker. Actually, I've just explained exactly how I shot the tulip, so never mind on that issue. The tulip was backlit by the sun, and the "black" area is a tall shrub that was in shade, and a dark green to begin with. As I stated, it had no choice but to go black. Michael H. Cothran www.mhcphoto.net PS - If you cannot find this scenario in your garden, you can still accomplish it by placing a black background (maybe a poster board) behing the flower. It always looks better if you backlight the flower rather than front lighting it. Be sure to dial in from -1 to -2 stops exposure, as the black background will certainly fool your meter into over exposing if you don't.
|
|
|
|
||
|
Sylvia B. Toftness |
Michael, Thanks so much. This is just what I needed. I think I find several opportunities to try this out in my front yard. I'll let you know how this goes. Thanks, again.
|
|
|
|
||
|
This old forum is now archived. Use improved Forum here
Report this Thread |
||