Artificial Background?

[bellhein]

Hi!

In this example dark subject against dark background is obviously a problem.

Is someone ever try fixing this problem by using a colored cardboard (or similar)? I understand it would have to be close enough to be lighted by the flash but far enough so it will be in the bokeh zone.

Any other suggestion would be helpful to avoid unwanted very dark background in low ambient light.

Thank you,

J-P

1/200
f/10
iso 100

http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/5708/mg42112.jpg

[John_B]

bellhein,
I have tried on non living targets and works quite well (click here to see example (http://johnbdigital.com/special_beauty/wet_motion.htm)) but with insects it might be too distracting. If you just want to lighten up your background try using a much slower shutter speed to let enough the background light to register on the sensor. :)

Another way is to use an external flash with extension cord, set on the wide angle setting and aimed at the background and a bit of the foreground.

However if you used flash directed at the subject, the subject can be a bit brighter with a black background which really to some isn't bad, it can be great and helps the subject stand out.

Just some ideas :)

[LordV]

I have tried what you suggest not to avoid dark BGs but to add a more interesting BG (see below). I have also tried it with flash but it is pretty difficult to get a BG behind an insect without disturbing it. One thing I often do is either look for a different angle with a closer BG or sometimes manipluate the leaf/ twig the bug is on to move it closer to some natural BG.

Brian v.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3244/2706122496_a023dff33e.jpg

[bellhein]

bellhein,
I have tried on non living targets and works quite well (click here to see example (http://johnbdigital.com/special_beauty/wet_motion.htm)) but with insects it might be too distracting. If you just want to lighten up your background try using a much slower shutter speed to let enough the background light to register on the sensor. :)

Another way is to use an external flash with extension cord, set on the wide angle setting and aimed at the background and a bit of the foreground.

However if you used flash directed at the subject, the subject can be a bit brighter with a black background which really to some isn't bad, it can be great and helps the subject stand out.

Just some ideas :)


Thank you for your ideas you have some nice pics there.

[bellhein]

I have tried what you suggest not to avoid dark BGs but to add a more interesting BG (see below). I have also tried it with flash but it is pretty difficult to get a BG behind an insect without disturbing it. One thing I often do is either look for a different angle with a closer BG or sometimes manipluate the leaf/ twig the bug is on to move it closer to some natural BG.

Brian v.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3244/2706122496_a023dff33e.jpg
Nice research there.

I've just try some photo with colored background and it work quite well. I just have to tweak the technique a little bit but I tried with plants and, like you said, it would be difficult to do that with bugs.

Thanks for your input.