OK, its me again, NOT naked!!

[Grace]

Ok...I have black hair..and I love black backgrounds... the two don't mix well. I have tried a few different things to make my hair not fade away and can't quite get it right. ARGGHH I tried some different lighting today and had a light to the left of me then bounced my flash to the left. I know in pp I am probably not doing something right. Every which way I convert I lose detail in my hair. Does anyone have any great ideas for me? as always, CC and play are welcome. If anyone wants the original let me know.

Thanks,
Kathy

83035

[re1ex]

I couldn't save this picture :(

your hair is the background lol, theres no detail where your hair is.

want to post the original untouched?

i think the image is alittle underexposed

[rdking01]

i'm a newbie so listen with a grain of salt....have you tried a light directly overhead? i have heard it called a hairlight (go figure) or maybe slightly behind you and above?
it has helped me before in same situation!

[rdking01]

also if'n ya was neked it would not bother me to not see seperation on your head (heehee)

[mbze430]

hey you actually have a face...

You need use a kicker light or a hairlight, but if you use a hairlight traditionally with a black background, you need to control the light that it will not fall on to your background. I usually use a strip, egg carton, or a louver (each one has different effect).

If you use a kicker directly behind the head, you get a halo effect

If you use a kicker from each side you get a side halo effect. but much thinner

[Grace]

Thanks for you quick responses..
re1ex....I will dig up that original..I have started seperating all my pics and I think I dumped it before I realized it was one I was working on.
rdking..you crack me up! and thanks for the advice. from one newbie to another!
mbze..lol, I fowarded this to my friends and they all died. I actually do have a face and its usually covered with a huge smile. this is really an "out of character" smirk from me!

Thanks for the lighting suggestions. As always, I need more money!

Kathy

[Meaty0]

Hey! Why you been hidin' that pretty face? I like the pose, the softness, but you're right, the hair is still a problem. If you can't afford overhead lighting, you could just simply try a tungsten reading lamp off to the side shining on your hair. Get hubby to hold the light up a bit higher if you want. We husbands come in handy for substituting for light stands and reflector holders etc.

Otherwise it's a lighter background or you have to go blonde girl:D (or win a lot of money for studio equipment)

[mbze430]

<snip>....

Otherwise it's a lighter background or you have to go blonde girl:D (or win a lot of money for studio equipment)

The key in low-key photography is to identify a point... any point either through expression or through "statement". However you must be able to seperate the point from the dark background.

In this case, the point is the face. So you must attempt to make that face seperate from the black background. Even changing her hair to blonde, you still need some light to seperate it from the dark background.

[Livinthalife]

Well I know exactly what your talking about.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=148721

In my pic the wall was white, but do the sun`s position, I got a nearly black wall, but it kept the cat`s black hair from mixing with the BG. I don`t know how much help that is, but I`m happy with the way your pic came out. what about a over head light? diffused? I know near nothing about lights, but I figure I would make a suggestion to get the affect you want.

Nice shot, thanks for sharing.

[Sam]

It has already been said, but a hairlight would do the trick for you. above or behind.

[Grace]

I can not wait to try again today! You guys are going to be sick of my face... my two year old HATES the camera so I have only me to practice on.... I'm bribing someone with a bottle of wine soon. This running back and forth is tough!

Thank you all for your suggestions and comments. They are appreciated!!!

[rdking01]

kathy, i aint pretty and i dont like to model but if'n theres a bottle of wine involved i may have to reconsider......lets see east texas meets west texas. hmmm

[condyk]

Great shot and I agree with mbze 100% ... you also have beautiful hands that would make a wonderful subject for lighting.