BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: To Be Categorized

Photography Question 

Rose
 

Very Dark/Black Background?


I have viewed all the contest entries for this month and have noticed several pictures of single flowers with a near black background which focused totally on the flower. Also sunsets, that were brillant red/gold in color and had a near black horizon. These pictures seemed to stand out and captured my attention. What was the technique used to accomplish these photos? Was there a certain type of film used, such as slide or can print film be used to achieve the same effect for the sunsets? Or was a certain type of neutral density filter or any filter for that matter used? I like the dark background to help isolate the subject, flowers in this case, but I just don't know how to do it. Thank you, in advance, for any information.


To love this question, log in above
0
October 31, 2000

 

Nguyen o. Tran
 
 
  rose
rose
rose

Nguyen o. Tran

 
  bowl
bowl
bowl

Nguyen o. Tran

 
 
Hi Rose,

Based on my experience, photographers have used shooting techniques to accomplish this type of picture regardless of type of film.

I am just an amateur who submitted two pictures (rose.jpg, bowl.jpg just for fun) using this technique. Hope that my explanation below could help.

1. Snooting is just a way to shoot all the light onto the object. You can make it with paper and foil laminated inside of the funnel to have more light concentrated at the end of the funnel.

2. Control the depth of field so that it can isolate the background (make it shallow).

3. Use a black color backdrop (such as fabric, cardboard, or paper) located ~5 ft behind the object.

With all 3 things above, you of course need a light meter, flash head (an external one, other than the camera flash unit).

Try it; you will see. Hope that there will be more explanation from other photographers.


To love this comment, log in above
0
November 01, 2000

 

Rose
  Thank You coc, for your response, I will certainly experiment with "snooting tech." What about the sunset/sunrise photos on this site with the very dark horizons? How are those accomplished? Also, referring to different techniques used for photography, I had never heard of "snooting" before, so how do I get more info on different methods used? I am an amateur, I consider every roll of film "a test", I'm having fun and I do like to experiment. My main interest is outdoor photography, but I'm trying my hand at portraits. Rose


To love this comment, log in above
0
November 05, 2000

 

Nguyen o. Tran
 
 
  no more
no more
no more

Nguyen o. Tran

 
 
Hi Rose,

Since my main interest is studio portraiture and still life, therefore I don't know much about outdooor photography. Hopefully, there will be a proper answer for you from other photographers. Check out the the book below from which I leaned how to accomplish the "snooting tech" picture. Good luck to you.


The Lighting Cookbook:
Foolproof Recipes for Perfect
Glamour, Portrait, Still Life, and
Corporate Photographs
by Jenni Bidner


To love this comment, log in above
0
November 06, 2000

 

Rose
  Thanks again, coc, I certainly will try and find the book. Rose


To love this comment, log in above
0
November 06, 2000

 

Doug G. Hilton
  Rose,
I'm guessing that the sunset photos were shot with metering for the sun or the really bright areas of the frame. This will allow for a "silhouetting" of the foreground. There are also types of film you can use to accomplish this. Slide film has a narrower latitude. This means that there are only so many stops of light that the film can record, typically only 3-5 on slide film while print film is MUCH wider. Hope this helps.

-Doug


To love this comment, log in above
0
November 09, 2000

 
Log in to respond or ask your own question.