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Photography Question 

Jodi Boyd 		 

black backgrounds


 
 
I have recently set up a studioin my basement and am just using industrial lights with softening gels. I did a maternity shoot and the black background isn't very black. Please help! Jo


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December 03, 2005

 

Mark Feldstein 		  Hi Jodi: I'm not sure what you mean by "industrial lights" unless you're referring to 500-1000 watt quartz / halogen work lights on a stand. But, like any other light source, you need to somehow control where it's going. Chances are, your lights are spilling onto the background.

First, you need to separate your subjects from the background by moving them further away from it. Second, to control the light and prevent it from wandering on its own, you need some kind of light modifier like a set of barndoors, a reflector around your light source, or even just a couple of big sheets of fomecore placed adjacent to the lights.

Once you control the light spill, your background should darken considerably.
Essentially, the further you can get your camera and subjects off the bg., while controlling light spill, the more it should help. If you have ambient light that's illuminating the black background, turn them off.
Take it light.
Mark


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December 03, 2005

 

BetterPhoto Member 		  Hi Jody
I have used halogen type work lights. (if that is what you are talking about) I have not had any problems. In addition to what Mark said. Some blacks show up different. You kind of have to pay attention to the texture of the material. I generally use a velvet type of material for my baby shots. Play with the setup a bit and you will easily see diffferences. Also try it without the gels in the beginning to see what happens and then add to it. HTH


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December 05, 2005

 

Henry Tai 		  Be sure the black background is not reflective. The angle of the lights on the black can make it reflect. Even black velvet can reflect some light.
Henry


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December 05, 2005

 

Jodi Boyd 		  Thanks for the advice, I've done some pictures since and ... success! Thanks again.Jo


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December 06, 2005

 
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