Photography Studio and Lighting Forum

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  1. #1
    Member
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    Dec 2008
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    College Park, MD
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    Trouble using black backdrop

    I need help (again!!) I know I'm doing something wrong.

    Last night I was trying to get some close-ups of a piece of glass sculpture (a large
    4'' marble) and wanted a black background.

    I used a black bed sheet and shread it out on my bed. I then placed the marble
    in the center.
    I had 2 photofloods w/ fixture and reflector, one on each side and raised about
    4 feet.
    Trouble is, the black sheet actually reflects just enough light to turn the black
    sheet dark grey and nasty looking.
    How do I get a nice jet black background? I cant distance the marble from the
    backdrop so the lights wont hit it, so what do I do?

  2. #2
    Sports photo junkie jorgemonkey's Avatar
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    Jul 2003
    Location
    San Jose, CA
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    1,689

    Re: Trouble using black backdrop

    I take it you are shooting the sculpture straight on, not from the top down? If so you might want to try putting something to block the light from hitting the background like I've shown in my award winning drawing.

    The blue lines represent where you can put the stuff used to block the light from hitting the background.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Trouble using black backdrop-lighting.jpg  
    Nikon Samurai #21



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  3. #3
    Learning more with every "click" mjs1973's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Mineral Point, WI, USA
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    Re: Trouble using black backdrop

    I don't have any lighting tips for you, but I do have a background tip. Get a yard or two of black velvet. Velvet really soaks up the light! Here are a couple examples of things I shot using black velvet as my backdrop.



    Mike

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  4. #4
    Member
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    Dec 2008
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    College Park, MD
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    111

    Re: Trouble using black backdrop

    Thanks for the detailed post.
    Sounds like I have to figure out how to put some distance between my subject
    and the backdrop.
    I do not want to put the piece on a stand or table, I want it free and disconnected.

    I will try to post a pic tomorrow to show you what I mean.
    I have already taken the pics, I just haven't downloaded them.

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