Black on Black

[30D'er]

I need some advice on shooting a black knitted garment over a black T-Shirt material. What's important to see if the stich pattern.

I tried a few shots today using available light once, then flash another time. In both cases in order to get the detail of the stich patern, I end up blowing out the models face.

Is there a trick anyone know's of to get the kind of balance I need? Please don't say I need a 1Ds Mark III...

Thanks!

[airfrogusmc]

Probably going to need some studio lights and maybe softbox & umbrellas. This can be tricky. Good luck.

[30D'er]

Probably going to need some studio lights and maybe softbox & umbrellas. This can be tricky. Good luck.

I was afraid of that... Thanks!

[breal101]

The simplest approach would be to shoot in RAW and use tone mapping.

[PhotosGuy]

You can level out the exposure using a selection & a Layer mask. See post #9; PS Elements in Post # 14
A question about sky (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=338140)

[30D'er]

Part of the reason for the post was; I had taken a few images today and felt like a real loser cause I could not for the life of me get it right in camera. The first response from airfrogusmc kinda made me feel allot better.

Perhaps it's not really possible to get the shot I want without expensive studio equipment?

Should I shoot under harsh noon light?

I was really wondering if anyone had had to accomplish something tricky like this, and how did you do it on the cheap?

[airfrogusmc]

You can always rent it. I would recommend a very soft main light soure and kind of skim it across to show texture and fill maybe only a stop down from main to make sure the black doesnt loose detail.

[airfrogusmc]

I would think if your outside overcast might do it.

[30D'er]

I would think if your outside overcast might do it.

Thanks for the Advice. I was thinking outside overcast might work well too. I'm going to have to schedule some of that...

[milleker]

My first thought was to cross-light the knitted fabric. Light is light, I don't think you need anything other than what you already have. (even if you only have a table lamp and access to the day sky)