How to shoot Black Objects on Black Backgrounds
In my last post, I talked about using a DIY blue gel to add interest to a portrait by lighting the background. This time I’ve added a DIY orange gel, and used the same Gary Fong Powersnoot for some product photography. This is a three-light setup.
Exposure: 1/200, f/14, ISO 100
Camera: Canon EOS 5D MkII
Lens: Canon EF24-70mm f/2.8L @ 60mm
When shooting a dark colored object against a dark background, one challenge is that the edges of the object tend to get lost in the background. Here are two ways to deal with this:
1. Light the background to add separation. This it the technique I used in my last post.
2. Use rim lighting to clearly define the edges of the object, as shown in the photo above.
The key to this kind of rim lighting is hard, directional light, so that the light goes exactly where you want it, and nowhere else. Good lighting is often about what not to light, as much as it is about what to light.
Set Diagram
Main Light: Canon 430EX II @ 1/2 power into 70cm white bounce umbrella just outside the frame to camera left
Rim Lights: 2 x Canon 430EX II @ 1/2 power into Gary Fong Powersnoots with grids a back left and right
I triggered the flashes with the Canon ST-E2.
Background: Black curtain about 1.5 meters behind the camera. The distance is important. If the background is too close, it will pick up some light from the main source and not appear totally black. Get your background cloth as far away as possible if you’re going for a pure black background.
The camera is sitting on a small square of black plexiglass (aka perspex) that I picked up at a local home improvement store.
Start With the Rim Light
To get the orange and blue highlights and the reflection right, I started with the gridded snoots. I shot a few frames and made small adjustments until I was happy with the look. Then I added the main light. It helps to build your lighting set up piece by piece.
Once I was happy with the rim lighting, I added the main flash, in the 70cm umbrella. Here I was looking for two things. First I wanted a nice catchlight on the lens. Second, I wanted enough light on the 5D logo on the top right side of the camera body. The umbrella is located just outside the frame on the left side, a little above, and angled down toward the 5D MkIII.
You don’t need a lot of space for a shot like this – I made this photo in my living room. The perspex is sitting on the coffee table, and the black curtain is draped over our TV.
I hope this article has given you a few useful ideas for lighting black objects against black backgrounds. I’d love you hear your comments, and as always, feel free to contact me on Facebook or Google+.
13 Responses to “How to shoot Black Objects on Black Backgrounds” - Add Yours
December 6th, 2012 at 4:27 am
… it seems so simple, when someone shows you how to do it
At least, until you try…
Thank you very much for sharing your technique, so interesting and useful.
December 6th, 2012 at 10:26 am
I’ve never thought of shooting black objects on a black background, interesting article.
I’ll have to add a new combination to my light box project.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/lendog64/sets/72157632177265945/
December 6th, 2012 at 7:46 pm
This is an informative, useful and brilliantly illustrated article. The set up shots combined with the illustrations and tech specs make understanding this complex process quite simple and inspiring.
Thanks Jason and DPS for sharing
)
George S.
December 7th, 2012 at 3:52 am
Would the same setup apply to photographing black pets? I had a Black Labrador that was always a chore to photograph and since she passed I now have a stray black cat that adopted me. Darn cute animal but just as hard to photograph.
December 7th, 2012 at 8:59 am
@bruno – it takes a little practice, and some trial and error to get the light right. Give it a try!
@scotttc – thanks, I think I’ve said it before, but I like that M&Ms shot of yours.
@craig – yes, rim lighting would work for pets, and might bring out some nice detail in the fur.
December 7th, 2012 at 9:08 am
Same – about the black dogs…. I have a black Chinese Crested and have sooo much trouble photographing him even without a black background – but I am an amateur. Would love to know how to take photos of black pets – I also take volunteer photos at the local animal shelter and again, hard to get the black pets looking schmick – their faces just blend into their hair.
December 7th, 2012 at 9:21 am
That is great if you are photographing subjects that don’t move and give you the time to experiment, how would you do this if you wanted to photograph black children without using the flash units????
December 7th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
what about white products on white backgrounds? like pillows on a bed in a white room…?
December 8th, 2012 at 10:49 am
@Sharon – try a flash off the camera, or possibly bounced off the ceiling. The goal is to try to light from above or from the side to define shape better.
@Petra – regarding time to experiment, try getting everything set up and working with a subject that doesn’t move, like a teddy bear sitting on a chair or some such thing. Once you have your lights set up, then send the kids in. I’m not sure what you mean about not using flash units, this entire setup is using flashes.
December 9th, 2012 at 7:34 am
I meant continues lighting. I have two soft boxes that give 2500 W in total, but it’s still not enough so I am wondering how much more do I need to be able to shoot at least 1/30 second /ISO 400 and A-4
December 9th, 2012 at 10:38 am
@Petra – Two soft boxes with a total of 2500W should be plenty of light. How close are your lights to the subjects? Try moving them as close as you can, without them being in the frame. Can you post a test shot somewhere and send me a link?
Take a look at the “Exposure Factor Relationship Chart B” here: http://www.fredparker.com/ultexp1.htm
At 1/30 f/4 ISO 400 you only need light at EV7. That’s pretty dark. Even with losing some light to diffusion in the soft box, you should have enough light to get a good exposure.
December 11th, 2012 at 1:24 pm
@Tom – great question, you’ve piqued by curiosity. I’ll give that a try and consider it for a future post. My initial thought is that you’ll want a combination of backlighting and side lighting to create enough shadows to define the shapes.
March 28th, 2013 at 2:35 am
Thank you for the clear explanation. Very beautiful shot.
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