what backround is best

Taking good photo's of your tree's can be challenging. Discuss your ideas and tips here.
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peterb
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what backround is best

Post by peterb »

Hi All
Just a question to the gurus , I'm making a fold away background for when i fotograph my bonsai, the question is what is the best colour to use so that the tree stands out best . I'm not partial to any colour , i just want to get the best contrast .
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kcpoole
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Re: what backround is best

Post by kcpoole »

Black Velvet or dark grey

Ken
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Re: what backround is best

Post by peterb »

Hi Ken
Thanks for the reply ( I must say black velvet sounds a bit kinky , hope you're not into kinky stuff with your trees ) ;) :lol:
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Re: what backround is best

Post by Jason »

peterb wrote:Hi Ken
Thanks for the reply ( I must say black velvet sounds a bit kinky , hope you're not into kinky stuff with your trees ) ;) :lol:
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As kinky as it sounds, black velvet makes for great backdrops in any kind of photography as it absorbs light, so makes a nice solid black behind your subject :)
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Re: what backround is best

Post by GavinG »

Unless you have accurate manual spot-metering on your camera, if the background is too dark, the tree is exposed too pale. For me, darkish grey makes the green leaves really stand out - a paler background just blends in with the tree. Any kind of colour is difficult to balance with the tree, and because of the area, it can be the first thing you notice. Neutral, darkish, and smooth for me.

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Re: what backround is best

Post by peterb »

Hi All
Thanks for the advice guys, appreciate it , no i don't have a fancy camera just a point and shoot so i think i'll go with the dark gray
kind regards everyone
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Re: what backround is best

Post by kcpoole »

GavinG wrote:Unless you have accurate manual spot-metering on your camera, if the background is too dark, the tree is exposed too pale.
Gavin
That is why i shoot in Manual mode, alterantive is Aperture priority and with manual exposure overrides :-) :tu:

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Re: what backround is best

Post by kcpoole »

kcpoole wrote:
GavinG wrote:Unless you have accurate manual spot-metering on your camera, if the background is too dark, the tree is exposed too pale.
Gavin
That is why i shoot in Manual mode, alterantive is Aperture priority and with manual exposure overrides :-) :tu:


No i do not get kinky with my trees as I do not have black velvet as yet, but the dark blue I do use for my photos is a velvet type finish on an old curtain that was being thrown out :-)

Ken
Check out our Wiki for awesome bonsai information www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki
What is Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Bonsai
What should I do now? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index.php?title=Newbie
How do I grow a Bonsai? http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _a_Bonsai?
Visit a Bonsai nursery to see some real nice trees http://www.ausbonsai.com.au/wiki/index. ... _Nurseries
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Re: what backround is best

Post by Reece »

Backing up the black and grey theory I have always loved how this guys Bonsai are photographed:

http://www.suthinbonsaistudio.com/#!Shimpaku juniper/zoom/crrl/image1a2c

Would be good to speak to this Joe Noga fellow.....
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