Black Background

[Kai~Chee]

Hello folks. I am very new to digital phtography and very eager to learn from all of you. I have alot of questions and hope to get alot of good feedback once i begin posting photos. My first question is about black backgrounds. I understand how to use the strobe lights to over expose the white background to get the white "middle of no-where" look. but how do you successfully create the exact opposite. Black "middle of nowhere " look in the background? Also, how is the best way to shoot photos intended for a digital background? I am a newby so forgive me if these sound like common sense questions. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Asylum Steve]

Konnichiwa, Kai~Chee. Welcome to the forum...

The over-under exposure to achieve grades of tonality works with all colors. So, just as you would overexpose to blow out a white bg, you underexpose to darken a black one. Just be sure no stray light hits it from your subject.

Also, some black materials are much more light absorbent than others. Black velvet is probably the best to use for a black black.

As for your other question, I assume you're talking about a chroma key system, whereas you photograph your subject on a green or blue screen, then strip them out in post-production.

Personally, I don't know much about that, so maybe someone else here can help. Or, give more details if it's something else you mean...

[Kai~Chee]

Konnichi-wa to you too! :~) Thank you so much. I'll get some black velvet and experiment with that. Thanks for the help. - Kai~Chee