how to photograph a black subject on a black background

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Here’s a follow up to my video about black backgrounds. Photographing Black products on black backgrounds can be a real headache, because light is absorbed by black and reflected by white In actual fact if a subject is mat and pure black even with a direct light it would be difficult too see it. The real technique for photographing black products on black is by reflection. By using mirrors , silver card and other types of reflectors , we can bring out detail in a black product that we can’t normally see. You will see how I use these items and play with the positioning to get the best result . I recommend constant light or studio flash for this type of work, as speed lights / speedlites are not ideal. The positioning of each reflector must be exact so without a modeling light it is virtually impossible. A simple halogen lamp from any diy store is sufficient.

42 Comments
  1. Ruza Injac says

    Thank you SO MUCH for this ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

  2. Akram Ali says

    what is the camera setting ?

  3. drutgat2 says

    Good lesson. Thank you.

  4. Ewa Beldowska says

    Thank you so much. Great video.

  5. Divi Photos says

    Cool

  6. Shirin R says

    Thank you sir… love from Singapore <3

  7. Robert Mckinnon says

    Thanks for once another great video explaining in simple terms how to light black on black. May I please ask what you mean for a garage light. Is the one you are using for this scene a hot halogen light because I am thinking of the tracing paper getting warmed up and not safe? Thanks, Rob.

  8. Juan Antonio Zamora says

    Very very nice. Thanks si much!!

  9. vietha vie says

    Thank you…

  10. Ivan chavero says

    Thanks!

  11. hdrsmit says

    lovely informative video !
    …but… i can't find thick black velvet like you use and the fabric people don't seem to know what i want because i don't know how to properly identify it 🙂
    – i've bought a few and they didn't have a long enough "nap" (for lack of a more descriptive word.
    …can you help out and give a few more specifics on this particular type of velvet and how to decscribe it accurately (via an email)

  12. wots36 says

    Hi Phillip. It's great to see your tutorials. Great tips presented with a sense of humor. Very nice.
    My question: What about the studio lighting when you're shooting 'black on black'. Is it necessary to black out all of the studio and ambient/sunlight?

  13. Helen Drohan says

    Great info. Thank you!

  14. Gergely Tarján says

    Thank you Phillip, this helped me a lot with one of my works!

  15. baipatmun02 says

    Amazing. Thank you so much

  16. Dean Jones says

    Thank you for sharing your life's work and experience. You're a true treasure.

  17. V K says

    Great Phillip! Thanks for lighting ideas )

  18. Frandalicious McGuirt says

    What a most FABULOUS video Thank you for sharing 🙂

  19. FranktheDachshund says

    An amazing presentation! Thank you.

  20. SHUKI says

    Amazing tutorial!Thank you!

  21. Herman Langland says

    Thank you! You made a photography student very happy!

  22. A&V PROJECT says

    Thank you for this video Philip. Can you tell us where we can buy that black velvet pad that you set under the cat? Is normal velvet or is a special photographic fabric?

  23. TwistedYarnBall 122 says

    Love you enthusiasm dude! Great info here, thanks!

  24. atood says

    You Are My Hero… Thx for this superb tutorial…. AMAZING (y)

  25. cesarfelipa says

    Thanks man for sharing ur knowledge with us!!!
    U ar GreaT

  26. Jim Prong says

    I've got a handsome black cat Phil but I've had no luck in getting a good photo of him. I think there are some tips on lighting, in your video, which I can use to try to capture him. His brother is light grey and white, so I've had no problem getting some nice shots of him. Thanks again.

  27. Rick Saint John says

    A very nice video on how to manipulate light, and to use it to your maximum advantage. Thank you!

  28. It's Only Me says

    BLACK BLACK like the procession of night that leads into the valley of despair. BLACK BLACK We try to hide but it claims us in the end, it always claims us, death death. BLACK BLACK so cold the snow, its all so futile, the deep dark depths of despair. BLACK BLACK we crawl on our knees towards our doom

  29. kellyakakells says

    What's the name of your dvd?

  30. Florencia Carvajal says

    Excellent! Simple and clever techniques 🙂 Thanks a lot.

  31. Chirag Jagtiani says

    thanks for sharing these videos .. they are very helpful!

    i have one question for you in product photography, what are the advantages and disadvantages of using a black background over a white background

    thanks in advance

  32. Gregory says

    Phillip what lens and exposure?
    Thanks
    Greg

  33. Justin Case says

    He said catalog while holding a cat lol puny

  34. Gene Silvers says

    How do you photograph a black subject on a white background? I'm selling a product on Amazon and I want to sell it in a black bag but black bags lose all of their detail when you look at them through a computer screen.

  35. khalil emir says

    Thank you very much for the video! 

  36. gestapo9 says

    i just love the way you explain the real concept of why you do what you do (in terms of different settings) …. great work. Thanks for being there

  37. Simplified Maya says

    really I Am very happy that i found you , you are the artist that  I want to be his student

  38. Simplified Maya says

    you are an incredible photography , I love to ask you what kind of cloth that you used under and behind your cat ?

  39. Roberto Alejos says

    First time a friend told me about this video I thought it was a real cat haha. Great Video it helps a lot!

  40. Indiesky - says

    Mr.@Philip McCordal Where do you think I could buy some equipment for my photo assignments. (for beginners like me)

    – College student studying ABMMA. 

  41. Ivan Sanchez says

    excelent video!

  42. Martin Blass says

    Your tutorials are very nice – everything clearly explained. Perfect! Thank you…

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