Black back ground
 

I am not a huge fan of black back ground picture's but do realize that some colors show off more with it. What type of material do you use that does not reflect the flash. and can you shoot these out side or do they have to be done indoors? (studio) The reason I ask is that alot of the picture I take are of wild orchids. Can this material be bought at a fabric shop like walmart, or only at a photo center?Thanks:biggrin:

The rare instances I use it :evil: I use a black flocking material designed for photography, I think you could use felt, velvet, or something like these.

Thanks Ross, flocking material is this unique to photo shops?

Nope! Black velvet will work.

I am sure that there are other that know better than I, but I read somewhere that a black velvet type fabric was good, as it doesn't reflect the light.
I have tried using a black back drop outside and it can be done, but does take some work. It is fairly easy if you have someone willing to hold the fabric for you. I took 2 pieces of fabric and hung them over a piece of pvc, like a curtain. That way you can slide it around just the flower or plants that you want.

Sorry, it looks like Ross beat me to it!

Yep, black velvet. . .that you can get at a fabric shop.

I got my piece of black velvet at the scrap table. A bargain at the fabric store. I also bought a green and white piece but like the black the best.

I use a piece of black satin and also a dove grey satin fabric. Got mine at Walmart and an indian grocery store!

So black velvet is better than felt??? I have been meaning to get something new.

I have been using plain cotton cloth but it isn't black enough and reflects too much light.

Yes. The deeper the nap the better. Dark gray is also good as is brown. Try different colors and see which you like.

Another method that I've tried is to use any solid colored background that is different than the flower and then use photoshop to change that background to any color that you want, simply by clicking on that area with the magic wand and changing the color. It has worked for me when I used a cotton background before.
If you don't mind using a flash, you can also accomplish the same thing by shooting at night, as the flash will hit the flower and leave the background black.

Thanks LauraN, I haven't used the magic wand facility, I will check that out. I get worried with the flash idea that it may leave the flower looking washed out but it sounds like a great idea.

The trick to keeping light paterns from showing up is to have the flower well-lit, but the backgound in shadow. I only use backdrop cloth for studio work. Since I don't have a tripod or lights, right now, I just shoot things in the GH, against the dark floor, and photoshop the background out.

I've actually had a lot of fun experimenting with background fabric colour, in the past. I shot a very nice C. Brabantiae against a teal background, and it really made the pink flower look great.

-Cj

That's interesting, thanks for the information. I will have to keep experimenting until I get it right.

Opening the aperture so you have a shallow depth-of-field helps, too,

Yeah I've done that by accident once or twice, need to work out how I adjust it. Learning about white balance might also help me.

Just make up a wood folding stand so that way you just have to drape your material over your stand and then just shoot.

Happy Growing!

Like this one? http://www.orchidboard.com/community...s/DSC_3105.jpg Just about all my photos are made in front of this setup.

WOW....what a set up you have!!!!!!
Wish we did not live so far apart...you could
take some pictures for my website.
You have it all going on!

Wow Ross...My husband is really not going to be happy about this...just another honey-do project on his ever growing list of things that I simply must have!

Don't short-change yourself. You can do it also. Just get some really cheap pine strips at Home Depot, make a frame, get some flocking material at Wal-Mart in color(s) of choice, then get some "full spectrum" lights (also available from Home Depot, or on web.) Of course, having a room to dedicate to this use helps, but isn't required :biggrin:

Good Luck Laura!!!!

Happy Growing and let us all know with pictures!

Ross, so you are just using fabric, I was wondering about that. I thought maybe the green material was some special photographic material. Those light stands do look like home depot. :), Gee I have just been tacking a piece of black velvet to the wall. I better dust off the table saw and get to work.
TC

tomancreed...can't wait to see what you build so I cn follow your lead!

Lee
Orchid Express & Leasing
cPanel®

Velvet works great as it is not inclined to "shine" in the photo. I just used 1x2's dry screwed together so I can take the thing apart for storage. The various colored layers are all held with push pins to the top. Simple but works. I use a sheet of cocoa fibre mat for the table top in case it shows in photo. Then there's Photoshop :evil: :biggrin:

Hey Ross I noticed the Glider hanging on the wall, are you into R/C planes? My hiking buddy's Son is big into those, and currently going to Embrey Riddle fight School.

I was a few years ago. Not so much now. I have done stunt kites (4-line) and radio control sail planes, but as with many hobbies, things pass by. I'd really like to get those kites out though. The plane you see in the background is an unfinished 1/4 scale Ventus sailplane that, so far, hasn't flown by me. I got up to 2-meter before my interest wained for other things. I hope my Grandson might show some interest and complete this kit. It's a Graupner German fiberglas scale glider that should be able to set some League of Silent Flight records. When I make it down to Fla (maybe this next spring, who knows) I will bring this kit down and donate it to your hiking buddy's son. Hopefully he will complete it and send me a photo of the maiden flight!

Here's my set-up in my basement. I bought the velvet-like fabric at a fabric store, the clip-on lights came from HD paint-dept. The tripods are from Good Will and Salvation Army some needed fixing but now are fine. For the top light I use a fluorescent w/daylight tubes the side lights are daylight bulbs also, sometimes flash sometimes not. Hope this can help someone. Jim

Looks a lot like mine! Great setup and I always say: "Whatever works"!