Background colour for photos

[Shinkitai]

Serissa-1---1-March-2013.jpg

QLD Small Leaf Fig 1 - 11 March 2013b.JPG

A simple method I am using to get a plain backdrop is to hang a sheet from the clothesline, place a table/stand in front of it and drape the bottom of the sheet over the table. A small weight behind the table in the fold will stop the sheet pushing up against the bonsai and creates a base level for the table. A partially overcast day provides a little softer light then when it is full sun. I would love to have a full set of lights and a proper back drop but would rather spend the money on my bonsai

So far I have tried blue (because it was on the line at the time) & off white.

My question now is what colour works best for the back drop in photos?

[bki]

Hi Shinkitai,
Nice trees you have there and great snaps.
you can make a dramatic shot by just blurring the background (or "bokeh"). you can do this by adjusting the depth of field (refer to your camera manual).
another method I use is using ringlite which I use on the pictures below. Unluckily these are flowers and not trees coz I feel mine are not yet ready for photography.
these would only illustrate the method I am referring to in isolating the subject from the background. I have done some bonsai pictorial but I am not in liberty to use those images.
Cheers,
BKI

[Nick]

Hi Shinkitai

The best background is what makes the tree pop. For example the white flowers against the blue background pop out. If that was against the white they would have been lost. A smooth seamless back ground also helps alot just like you have done with the blue background. letting it drape rather than tucking it. Getting the back ground further back will also help with bokeh without having half the tree out of focus when you drop the aperture too low. The first photo shows bokeh by moving the background away from the subject. The second pic if you look closely shows how too low an aperture can blur the rest of the subject except what is in the immediate foreground ( the leaf edges and flower in the background are just out of focus ). Great photos keep practicing and play around with the camera setting and learn what they do is my top tip.
Nick