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totalnovice
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03-03-12, 05:04 PM
#1

tips for photos of black dogs on a white background?

I have a black dog and whenever I took photos of him against a white background they just looked rubbish to put it bluntly!

So I was just wondering if any of you have tips for this? Just basics please!
My Compact/P&S: Fujifilm f10, hs20


     
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SteveL
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03-03-12, 05:05 PM
#2

Re: tips for photos of black dogs on a white background?

could you post an example of the problems you are having?

Steve
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totalnovice
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03-03-12, 05:09 PM
#3

Re: tips for photos of black dogs on a white background?

Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveL View Post
could you post an example of the problems you are having?

Steve
I dont have them on here but I'll see if I can get them to post up later.
I dont know what it is they just look bad overall to me. The dog doesnt look right and the white is just TOO white (if that makes any sense!)

You cant see his coat properly either.

Edit; Just had a hunt around and cant find them, hoping I havent deleted them or I wont be able to show what I mean..
I might have copies on another laptop so I will have a look there..
My Compact/P&S: Fujifilm f10, hs20


     
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03-03-12, 06:37 PM
#4

Re: tips for photos of black dogs on a white background?

Photos would help...

This looks like a good introductory sort of tips sheet:
http://www.startseeingblackdogs.com/phototips.html

xx
Kit 1
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totalnovice
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03-03-12, 06:59 PM
#5

Re: tips for photos of black dogs on a white background?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zoundz View Post
Photos would help...

This looks like a good introductory sort of tips sheet:
http://www.startseeingblackdogs.com/phototips.html

xx
Thanks, I think the type of light is maybe my problem.

I got an idea on YT too, photograph them on a dark background. Not sure I have anything but will give that a try too.

The last ones were taken on the F10 not the HS20, I took a quick snap with my new camera and it is better than the last ones but not great I dont think.

I will have a play about and then post pics, see what you guys think.

I want to get some cool photos of him eating his bones too but so far the weather isnt playing along
My Compact/P&S: Fujifilm f10, hs20


     
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03-03-12, 07:23 PM
#6

Re: tips for photos of black dogs on a white background?

The problem you will come up against when photographing a black dog (especially against a sky) is the fact that the camera sensor does not have the exposure range to expose the bright sky and the black dog correctly Techincally this is known as the EV range.

Your sensor may have a EV range of 7 but the difference between the sky and the black dog could be EV 10 (figures are for example only) so you either end up with a correctly exposed sky but an under-exposed dog with no detail or a dog which is correctly exposed but with a burnt out sky.

I always try to eliminate the sky from the image when photographing black dogs as below




If forced to include the sky then I resort to some P/P within CS5 to try and bring the detail out in the dogs coat but hold back the sky




Also remember that it better to underexpose the black slightly as you will still be able to extract some detail from it whereas with highlights (sky) if burnt out (overexposed) all detail is lost and cannot be recovered.

It is because of this all my cameras are set up with -1/3 stop exposure compensation.

Steve
Kit 1
Canon 5D MkII
Canon24-105mm f4L IS USM
Canon 70-200mm f2.8L IS USM
Canon 17-40mm f4L USM
Canon 100mm f2.8 USM Macro
Canon 70-200 f4L USM
Canon MT-24EX Macro Flash
Kit 2
Canon 5D, Canon 40D, Canon 20D
Other Kit
View my profile to see my other kit!


     
totalnovice
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03-03-12, 07:31 PM
#7

Re: tips for photos of black dogs on a white background?

thanks Steve, that does make sense as I remember one of those photos was against white tiles and you could see all that but the dog was just a black silhouette and murky looking..


Also, I dont really do photoshop etc much, I need to learn more about that but good to know about underexposing meaning I can lift out some detail V's the other way round.

Thanks
My Compact/P&S: Fujifilm f10, hs20


     
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