Backgrounds
Posted: March 15th, 2013, 5:08 pm
Hi all,
I was asked how I got the background in some of my photos. The method is fairly simple. I have purchased a sheet of 1.00mm thick white styrene to use for photos I want to reproduce and show a lot of the detail. A white background is quite good for this purpose. The styrene is very useful in the sense that you can put dirty or wet pots on it without damaging it. Wipe it over and it is ready to be used again.
Make sure the backdrop has a curve. This will prevent horizontal lines showing. If you use separate background boards you will usually see horizontal lines across the photo.
I have a good camera and flash. The attachment on the flash is a Gary Fong Lightsphere. http://www.garyfongestore.com/featured- ... ULDNsqDl8F These can be purchased in Australia.
With one flash and the Lightsphere I can get reasonable photos for showing on the WEB.
When taking more serious photos I usually use some Valentine. This is available in different colours. This is very good at not showing creases. I place the roll on a table and pull out the material leaving a curve.
If you don't like this effect you can place the bonsai on a stand, or use a table with different colour backgrounds. One colour on the table and the other for the background. This will of course create a line across the photo. Take particular notice where the line is and move the camera angle to place the line in the appropriate position. You can also use the depth of field of the lens to soften the line. If you get more serious you can throw different colour lights on the background.
Hope this helps someone.
Regards Ray
I was asked how I got the background in some of my photos. The method is fairly simple. I have purchased a sheet of 1.00mm thick white styrene to use for photos I want to reproduce and show a lot of the detail. A white background is quite good for this purpose. The styrene is very useful in the sense that you can put dirty or wet pots on it without damaging it. Wipe it over and it is ready to be used again.
Make sure the backdrop has a curve. This will prevent horizontal lines showing. If you use separate background boards you will usually see horizontal lines across the photo.
I have a good camera and flash. The attachment on the flash is a Gary Fong Lightsphere. http://www.garyfongestore.com/featured- ... ULDNsqDl8F These can be purchased in Australia.
With one flash and the Lightsphere I can get reasonable photos for showing on the WEB.
When taking more serious photos I usually use some Valentine. This is available in different colours. This is very good at not showing creases. I place the roll on a table and pull out the material leaving a curve.
If you don't like this effect you can place the bonsai on a stand, or use a table with different colour backgrounds. One colour on the table and the other for the background. This will of course create a line across the photo. Take particular notice where the line is and move the camera angle to place the line in the appropriate position. You can also use the depth of field of the lens to soften the line. If you get more serious you can throw different colour lights on the background.
Hope this helps someone.
Regards Ray
, I'll definately be trying this!
When I checked the post I realized I spelt 
