how to control background

[patelbj]

Dear All,

I have always been intrigued about how do experts take closeup shots, even portraits with only one color in the background. Like if you see this image -

http://www.fotosearch.com/CSK011/pr94676/

The background is absolutely white. I'm pretty sure, it is not a white wall against which it was shot, because if so, we'd have seen some indication of that... A lot of pics have similar, but different color background, and I am trying to figure out how can one achieve that? Is that a camera setting, or is it some post processing technique?

Can you please guide?

Thanks

Bhavesh

[oldwolf]

it could be a white wall or a grey wall. they basically figure out what shutter speed they need to completely blow out the background so it looks white. after that they increase the f/stop high enough so that their foreground/subject isn't blown out.

having a flash aimed at the background helps to keep the shutter speed fast as well so you don't end up trying to use a long exposure like 1 sec and an f/stop of 22 or something. you'll never get your subject to hold still that long.

so what happens is the flash will blow out the background for you while you're using a fairly fast shutter speed. you can then open up your aperture (decrease your f/stop) to let in more light on the subject. a two light setup would work best so one light blows out the background while the other light exposes your subject.

the picture you linked too looks like they used a softbox on the model though.

[patelbj]

well.. what about this -

is there any post processing to create a black background?

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-1166...ping-path.html

or here-

close up of running water

Macro of clear blue water pouring -

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-12968977.html


Is it the same method?

[oldwolf]

here's an article on the main dps blog about the dark background.

http://digital-photography-school.co...ing-with-light

same concept except you don't have a light on the background and you figure out what shutter speed it takes to darken the background.

here's another good blog about darkening the background. you can technically use a white background and make it look like an abyss.

http://www.zarias.com/?p=71

later on in his tutorials he goes over how to change a white background to black.

the water shot looks like a white background with a white reflector above the water to give the white reflections in it.

you can always post process this stuff but it might be tougher depending on what you're taking a picture of. you'll be working in layers.

[xxpinballxx]

I agree..all those shots were done in camera......its just getting the exposure right for the white....the black looks to just be a light box and the water one is just a white background to begin with and its shallow DOF helps that one.
It can all be done in post too but if you are not use to the selection tool or experienced at it it might be evident in the final image.....

[jdepould]

That's probably white seamless paper. It's really just a matter of lighting it properly.

[patelbj]

thanks guyz..all of u!! it was very prompt response for my queries. it encourages me .. i may come again with some more of those..not abt the same thing though ...

[jay_soft]

Originally Posted by xxpinballxx

I agree..all those shots were done in camera......its just getting the exposure right for the white....the black looks to just be a light box and the water one is just a white background to begin with and its shallow DOF helps that one.
It can all be done in post too but if you are not use to the selection tool or experienced at it it might be evident in the final image.....

I thought that the two stock photos were actually cut outs, but I'll bow to greater knowledge, and I agree you can get both affects in camera.