Infant black background

[Roger]

I see a lot of professional shot with a infant either sitting or being held with a black background and was wondering how bet to get that effect at home? what EQ is needed or used for that effect?

IF there is a technique used or a book I should pick up, let me know.

Thanks

[Roger]

No one eh?

[Charlemagne]

It depends on the shot you are trying to accomplish, are you talking about the one with the baby in the hand with a kind of spotlight effect with a black BG? if so, I use a hairlight from above with a softbox attached, then I make sure the room is pretty dark, and that dad is holding the baby around 5-6 ft away from the BG, that way it stays black (without the use of scrims) then you use another light as your fill, I would use it with another modifier, probably HC filters to keep the light where you want it. Hope that helps,

Charles

[Roger]

It depends on the shot you are trying to accomplish, are you talking about the one with the baby in the hand with a kind of spotlight effect with a black BG? if so, I use a hairlight from above with a softbox attached, then I make sure the room is pretty dark, and that dad is holding the baby around 5-6 ft away from the BG, that way it stays black (without the use of scrims) then you use another light as your fill, I would use it with another modifier, probably HC filters to keep the light where you want it. Hope that helps,

Charles

Yes a ton, Can you get me specifics on the types of lights / softboxs, reflectors/stands and background needed to do this? I want to estimate costs.

Then I will see what I can afford, and buy,then see if I can read up on using those lights and background , IE placement.

[davespix]

I just used a black sheet and twin strobes but whatever a flash gun. Mine was a rush job but fun ps clean the sheet. unrinkle it too.
http://davesattler.smugmug.com/photos/122469925-L.jpg
http://davesattler.smugmug.com/photos/122516712-L.jpg
These can definatly be improved as I look I see a product shot more than a portrait.
I edited this I see you are asking costs of setup, some guys can use light bulbs and do a great job, I need to get confused and spend around 2g US and learn the hard way. But AB is a great source at not bad prices to get going. I have 2 softboxes 1 umbrella and 3 strobes and a flash gun sb800. Nikon like the 580 Canon.
Stands can be pricey 100US for air cushions and booms are up there again, I plan another 3g US before I can say I am set.
Others may do this for 1g US and probably do as good.

[Kevin]

Yes a ton, Can you get me specifics on the types of lights / softboxs, reflectors/stands and background needed to do this? I want to estimate costs.

Then I will see what I can afford, and buy,then see if I can read up on using those lights and background , IE placement.

Roger, light is light. It can be done with natural light, flashes, strobes, etc. The type of softbox/reflector/stand/background doesn't really matter, any of them will work. Do what I suggested before and go to Calumet Photo, Adorama, B&H or even eBay and look at the light kits. You'll get an idea of the cost of the various kits there.

If that's too much, you can make your own components like reflectors, diffusion panels, backgrounds, stands for next to nothing.

Do a google search....you'll find tons of info on any and all of this.

[Roger]

ah ha!

http://www.photoflexlightingschool.com/Equipment_Lessons/Soft_Boxes___Strobe/WhiteDome/Photographing_Babies_with_an_OctoDome_and_Strobe/index.html

someplace to start, Basically , I think a softbox, light to light it?? stand and background

[davespix]

Thats a good start. Maybe a cheap strobe, they are cheaper than another flash. A softbox and umbrella setup with your 430ex attached. Stands are cheap and expensive. You pretty much get what you pay for, but if its a small stobe and smaller softbox you could go with a 30-40$ stands, long as the dog is not running around in the same room.
Heck like they all say light is light, just how much would you need, white room, or natural light flooding it. I am looking for backgrounds now also, but am thinking of sheets of material, and painting textures or dieng colors into them. Cheapo me.

[Rudi]

Roger, being the cheap and lazy sort myself, I have replied in your other thread re: studio lighting. I usually look for the simplest solution to a problem, and while I have the strobes and the backgrounds, I usually try to do without them. It can be done most of the time, and I just included these examples to show that you don't have to go all out and buy a whole outfit. Not in the beginning, not until you know what you want to shoot, or whether you will even NEED a studio setup! Here is the link: http://www.pixel-shooter.com/forum/showpost.php?p=58481&postcount=13

[davespix]

I think a black or white background are the flavour. But I do like some of Rudy's models hehe
Black sheet or material help. white sheet with strobe or flash gun behind it to aluminate it. I think black is hard as white, just to get the subject not to look like he or she is not floating in a space or void. So a prop, chair or something simple not to busy to distract because the back ground is so simple gives the well thought out effect.

[Roger]

I think a black or white background are the flavour. But I do like some of Rudy's models hehe
Black sheet or material help. white sheet with strobe or flash gun behind it to aluminate it. I think black is hard as white, just to get the subject not to look like he or she is not floating in a space or void. So a prop, chair or something simple not to busy to distract because the back ground is so simple gives the well thought out effect.

Any recommendations for background support systems? I was thinking about $100 or so.

Should I go paper background or material? Or will that toss my budget way out of whack?

[Rudi]

I prefer material backgrounds, only because they can take way more abuse than paper. You will also notice any imperfections or folds in paper backgrounds. Yes, I know you can just roll out more paper and start over, but you can shape material backgrounds better, and I just like them better - so there! :D

[davespix]

I agree paper is out, I was thinking of putting together a curtain hanger setup, with different colours on curtain rods pull each colour into the scene and so on. Of course the heavier the material the less chance of folds. Just wild thoughts say 5 colours, on tracs.

[Roger]

Anyone done any homemade setups?

[Rudi]

If you can rig up something to hang the background on, a couple of cheap clamps will do the trick after that. I often hang background on location off whatever is available. :)

[Roger]

I ordered a background support system today, a savage basic one, I hope it allows me to do what I need it to do.

[davespix]

I nailed the background for my baby shots You could use pvc pipes to hang from or order a frame to hang from also, what I was talking about was hanging the material from curtain tracks and draw the different backgrounds into the scene. I hope you will post some examples.