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BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: Still-Life Photography Tip

Photography Question 

Tammy L. Newcomb 		 

Black Background for Flower Photos


I am new to this site and I am learning a great deal here, but I still want to know how you get the black background when shooting a close up of a flower. I am very limited with my camera settings, since I have a cheap camera compared to most - Kodak Z740. I usually take way better outdoor pictures under natural lighting. I do not know how to take good pictures indoors at this point.


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May 20, 2006

 

Margie Hurwich 		  Hi Tammy. Welcome to BP. When I started close to a year ago, I held up my husband's tux jacket behind the flowers. You have to be careful doing so as many materials reflect light and you can end up with shiny spots on your black background. What I have found that works just as beautifully is a piece of black velvet. The light doesn't reflect off of it; it is absorbed. Hope this helps and good luck!


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May 20, 2006

 

George R. Bard 		 
 
  Rose in salt shaker.
Rose in salt shaker.
Fuji

George R. Bard

  
 
Agreed, I use black velvet as well. I picked up a piece at the remnant table. My only problem with velvet is lint. I also use a simple piece of smooth black art paper. I usually do my close-ups in full manual and set the aperture for a limited Depth of Field and then adjust shutter speed for a slight underexposure.


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May 20, 2006

 
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