Negative Lighting – a simple technique that makes a big difference!

[PhotosGuy]

The first thing that comes to mind when we think of lighting is to pour more light in to make an “improvement”. We all know that white cards can be used to bounce light into a contrasty situation & it works well, but there are alternatives, like taking some light out, to make the subject “pop” against the background. Some of the other “Lighting” threads show ways to use “flags” to hold back light, or dark or colored cards to reflect in a subject.

The 1st pic shows what I mean. These Daffodils are in early morning light & were getting lost against the background, so I put a blue card behind them to isolate them & to shade the adjacent plants.
An alternative if the background isn't too busy would be to just use the card to shade the rear elements of the image.

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Pic 2: A small adjustment makes a big difference. Here the wind pushed the card toward the flowers & removed too much light from the green leaves.

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Another way to isolate your pic is to frame it. A bright background will make it look darker, while a dark background will… so framing makes a big difference in how the pics are perceived & helps to even out background influence.
I put some pics on line with PhotoBucket.com (free) because it allows me to choose a black background for the pics & thumbnails.

Try Negative Lighting & make it work for you. ;)

Just noticed that mjordan posted his lighting set-up for a great shot. Take a look at it at:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=70777

[mjordan]

I should have added a picture of my setup, Frank. I've done that in the past to show how my lights are set up, which sometimes make more sense than just describing it. I'd do that more but the living room I use is also a catch all room (which is why my studio setup keeps getting squeezed out) and it's got a lot of junk in there as well. :D

Mike

[PhotosGuy]

I'd do that more but the living room I use is also a catch all room (which is why my studio setup keeps getting squeezed out) and it's got a lot of junk in there as well. :D :):) I'm using a spare bedroom. Photo stuff. Video stuff. Good stuff. Prop stuff. Junk stuff. Stuff stuff. ;)
You can always "Edit" & add a shot anytime later, when you get around to it.

[CatalepsicFox]

Awesome example. I been trying to think of ways to use my black reflector.

[GenuineRolla]

I'll have find the link, but there is a photographer that is all about negative lighting and it works really well for what he does.