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Wednesday 16 March 2011

Portrait Photography Tip #2: Studio Black Background

A black or dark background is great for creating pictures that are more classical in style or with portray deeper feelings.  It’s not as well suited to fun family photographs partly as the lighting needs careful consideration.  However, dark backgrounds are ideal for formal family portraits.
The black background is well suited to photography that is more artistic especially where a human body is more exposed.  This could be pregnancy, newborn babies or of course nudes photography.  These are all ideal subjects for displaying as monochrome photographs.
I find black backgrounds are perfect for newborn babies photographed for black and white.  Monochrome removes almost any trace of deep red birthmarks that simply melt into the baby’s natural skin tones.

How to look fabulous

Assuming you’ve read portrait photography tip #1, you’ve already guessed that dark clothes are better suited to a black or dark background.  Limiting the contrast between your clothing and the background draws the viewer’s attention to you.
For example, if you wore a brilliant white shirt (or blouse) against a dark background the shirt would dominate the picture – almost certainly overwhelming you.
However, if your clothes or hair is virtually black they could blend into the background.  Sometimes this is desirable. But when it isn’t it must be fixed with additional lighting.

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