How do I do this?

atmax1 · 1 Jul 2011 at 20:55

I dont know what it's called why I have not googled it and you guys are amazing at photography so I thought I would ask here..

I have a Canon 500D while I learn, and I would like to take a picture of a person and have the black background with the face in it.. how can I do this? I remember seeing ages ago you can do with a speedlight (I have one) but I cant find the tutorial.

Also do you guys know any good tutorial websites?

Thanks,
Matthew

Ksanti · 1 Jul 2011 at 20:58

Have a dark, smooth background far away from the subject. (If nothing else, a field at night would work for this etc.)
Use the speedlight to illuminate the subject (best to do this from the side so it doesn't light up the background)
Use post processing if necessary to boost the blacks.

MobyDick · 1 Jul 2011 at 22:40

This might help, explains the use of the inverse square law to light the subject and not the background. Helped me.

atmax1 · 1 Jul 2011 at 23:25

Thanks guys, and that video is so helpfull.. I cant wait to try this out.

ishamy · 1 Jul 2011 at 23:41

Great thanks for posting that link, really helpful, will be trying this out over the weekend

MobyDick · 1 Jul 2011 at 23:48

There's a lot of helpful videos on the same channel.

http://www.youtube.com/user/snapfactory