a few flowers

lullabye · May 27, 2006

I've always wondered how those photos of flowers with black or dark backgrounds were done. Then i came across this site the other day where people were discussing how they did it. So i took my camera and tried it. unfortunately most of my flowers were not in bloom so these are only wat i have. criticism and suggestions would be nice.

photo gal · May 27, 2006

Lovely shots! I especially like 3 and 4.........Sorry I have no suggestions! : )

officersdr · May 27, 2006

please explain how to do the black background

midnitejam · May 27, 2006

officersdr said:
please explain how to do the black background

Hi officersdr, Check your PM

gigo567 · May 27, 2006

I like the 3 and fourth one. In the third the flower sticks out a lot, causing the person to look at the flower. Good job.

SQUACKS · May 27, 2006

i like #1 and #3 best.

Holly · May 27, 2006

These are great... I really like first and last best..

vikingtyty · May 27, 2006

could you PM me how to do the black background as well?

craig · May 27, 2006

Strong work!!! I like the light in all of them.

midnitejam · May 27, 2006

vikingtyty said:
could you PM me how to do the black background as well?

Here is My original instructions as they first appeared on another forum....
This is how I set up The shot ..

Set the camera to strictly manual. Adjust both Shutter speed of camera to 1/60 and ISO same for both flash and camera.
Adjust aparature of camera to underexpose (amount of under exposure is your choice and taste. How much light drop-off do you want.
Adjust aparature setting of flash for proper automatic exposure.
Adjust angle of flash-to-subject and flash distance from camera (Use side lighting for best results).
Adjust camera focus and turn off all ambient light. Room should be dark when you take the shot...

Set the camera to under-expose in order to paint only the flowers with light from the flash. That's why I shot manual at F-25 and 1/60 shutter with absolutely no ambient light (totally dark room). You can use diffusion on the flash for variations on the theme.

This is my original image given as an example. It wasn't received well in the forums I posted it. lullabye has really taken this to a higher level. My hat's off to her.
http://www.pbase.com/midnitejam/image/60571287.jpg

In photoshop, you can use one of the following methods to achieve the same thing but some may consider your image a rendering if you do this in photoshop
You can under expose the image and then selectively dodge the portions you want to give extra light. Burn in varying degrees the areas you want to be less lit.
You can use inverse masks with the circular gradient tool on selected portions.
You can use vignettes in various proportions and degrees.
You can use a quick mask in conjunction with levels and a moderate application of feathering.
You can use Photoshop CS2's LENS DISTORTION TOOL to induce various stages of vignette .

lullabye · May 28, 2006

Thanks everyone... I'm planning to take more pics soon when most flowers will be in bloom.

Anyway, I used a different technique from midnitejam since i was taking the picture outdoor but i found the discussion in taking photos with black background here http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00Cpoo&tag=

I tried some of their techniques but wat works best for me is to shoot it underexpose and fix it in photoshop. I usually shoot with the background in the shade but if the location of the flowers make it impossible i tried the black cloth and it works just fine. Flash sometimes help.

midnitejam · May 28, 2006

lullabye said:
Thanks everyone... I'm planning to take more pics soon when most flowers will be in bloom.

Anyway, I used a different technique from midnitejam since i was taking the picture outdoor but i found the discussion in taking photos with black background here http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00Cpoo&tag=

I tried some of their techniques but wat works best for me is to shoot it underexpose and fix it in photoshop. I usually shoot with the background in the shade but if the location of the flowers make it impossible i tried the black cloth and it works just fine. Flash sometimes help.

lullabye, thanks for sharing the URL with us.
I most always shoot my flower shots with a black background. I've been shooting flowers for a long time.
The results of your endeavers are by far superior to the one I posted. I use the studio/fill-flash method if I have a choice, but if that isn't possible, I create the black background in photoshop.
You do great work
Cheers
MJ