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Author Topic: black backgrounds  (Read 1084 times)

Offline anevilgiraffe

  • Scatterbrained Genius
  • Posts: 2251
    • http://anevilgiraffe.blogspot.com/
black backgrounds
« on: March 07, 2024, 09:23:59 AM »
is it just me, or does anyone else find it really hard to see minis on a black background?

I know it's popular, but it seems to just suck the mini into the backdrop and lack any vibrancy, so I don't see the appeal.

Offline Silent Invader

  • Galactic Brain
  • Posts: 9686
Re: black backgrounds
« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2024, 11:35:07 AM »
Agreed
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Offline Malebolgia

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  • Posts: 3770
  • Lost in Cyberspace
    • Paintoholic
Re: black backgrounds
« Reply #2 on: March 07, 2024, 12:04:04 PM »
I'm a big fan, it works better for me than white backgrounds. White's just too bright and distracts from the actual model for me.
“What use was time to those who'd soon achieve Digital Immortality?”

Offline anevilgiraffe

  • Scatterbrained Genius
  • Posts: 2251
    • http://anevilgiraffe.blogspot.com/
Re: black backgrounds
« Reply #3 on: March 07, 2024, 12:18:19 PM »
I'm a big fan, it works better for me than white backgrounds. White's just too bright and distracts from the actual model for me.

I’d say white is the same. I like the variable colour backdrop I have now, but was also happy with the pale blue. Stark black drowns the mini, stark white is too bright.

Offline v_lazy_dragon

  • Mastermind
  • Posts: 1845
Re: black backgrounds
« Reply #4 on: March 07, 2024, 12:58:43 PM »
Yup,
I find that too. I prefer white, but agree it's not perfect. Light blue/grey is probably a favorite
Xander
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Offline modelwarrior

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 293
    • themodelwarrior
Re: black backgrounds
« Reply #5 on: March 07, 2024, 02:21:38 PM »
I agree black back grounds are not my favourite colour either but some people are able to turn them into a fine art when photographing. So whatever floats your boat.

Offline Aethelflaeda was framed

  • Scientist
  • Posts: 275
  • aka Mick the Metalsmith
    • Michael Hayman Handmade Celtic Jewelry
Re: black backgrounds
« Reply #6 on: March 07, 2024, 03:49:19 PM »
black backgrounds have their place but  the amount of black framing around the fig in the composition, the focus (a good macro lens coupled with stacked layers in retouching, can help the fuzziness at the edge of depth of field)  and last all good 3 point lighting needs a lot of attention to avoid the issues raised.  When i send photos of my jewelry to the selection juries of art festivals, i always black or dark backgrounds so that attention always goes to the artwork.
« Last Edit: March 07, 2024, 03:52:18 PM by Aethelflaeda was framed »
Mick

aka Mick the Metalsmith
www.michaelhaymanjewelry.com

Margate and New Orleans

Offline Ash

  • Mastermind
  • Posts: 1965
    • Ashley Straw.com
Re: black backgrounds
« Reply #7 on: May 01, 2024, 09:32:00 AM »
I suppose it all boils down to a personal preference.
I used to shoot everything against a white backdrop; switched to black a few years ago, saved a lot of time 'cleaning' the background shadows from white.
Both can tend to creep into the sides/edges of mini to a certain degree, black may give an amount of negative fill, whilst white can bleed into the edges.
I find with photographing against black it helps to not just light from the front. I start with a soft/diffused light over the top, and slightly behind the mini. This helps to separate it from the background. A main diffused light to the side, approx 45 degree (I prefer from the left), to light the front of the model, then a similar angled fill on the opposite side. This helps to 'lift' the subject from the background.

You'll always get a dark/ shadow area in any recessed parts







Only drawback I have is every speck of dust or escaping static grass needs removing...


Offline CapnJim

  • Scatterbrained Genius
  • Posts: 3837
  • Gainfully unemployed and lovng it!
Re: black backgrounds
« Reply #8 on: May 10, 2024, 05:37:05 PM »
I used to use a black mat for a background.  One day, that mat was in use, so I used a green "meadow" gaming mat instead for a background.  Been using that ever since...
"Remember - Incoming Fire Has the Right-of-Way"

 

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