There are a few basic components in each home or office studio: the lights, which can be strobes or continuous, the modifiers that come in all shapes and sizes, and of course, the background.
The choice of background is something that puzzles many beginners. Many don’t have a clear idea of their needs, so they don’t know what to choose. Generally, there are three types of backgrounds that are commonly used in amateur and pro studios: black, white and gray.
(Success Tip: Master photography with a simple deck of cards here)
Black backgrounds work very well for certain types of portraits, and putting them in contrast with bright clothing will get you some interesting shots. This does, however, limit your options somewhat, because if you have to shoot black clothing on a black background, you're in for a bit of trouble.
This technique works on dogs
And cats too!
White is probably the most popular choice of background, and for good reason. It works with just about any color or model. If you don’t want the background to be completely white, you can easily make it gray.
Speaking of gray, it’s not the most popular choice of background color, but I believe it has a lot of potential. You can do a lot of things with a gray background and a little bit of imagination. You can make it completely white, dark, or even turn it into a colored background, without the help of post processing. All you need is to place your lights in a clever way.
Photographer Gavin Hoey will show you how in this video.
Learn more about studio photography from these recommended books:
- Photography Lighting: Know-How Tips on Setting up Photography Lighting for Your Home Studio
- How to Set Up Photography Lighting for a Home Studio
- Photography Lighting: Ultimate Guide to Home Studio Photography Lighting!