May's Assignment: Interesting Backgrounds

Karimala · #1 (**permalink**) 04-29-2007, 10:32 PM

I totally spaced off the poll for this month's assignment, so I thought this time I'd expand a topic that caught fire last week. The topic was "Cool Isolation Technique" in the "How Did You Do That?" forum.

http://www.talkmicro.com/how-did-you...technique.html

I thought it would be fun to expand upon that thread and experiment using different types of materials or techniques as backgrounds. So often I find myself wondering how a photographer achieved a mirrored or glossy shadow effect, or if the granite countertop is actually in their kitchen or a piece they purchased just for photography effects. I have an assortment of floor tiles, scrapbook papers, placemats, fabric, and even translucent wrapping paper that I use for all sorts of things. I also use grass, the sky and other scenery when outside the studio.

So let's get to it and experiment with backgrounds in May!

dbvirago · #2 (**permalink**) 04-30-2007, 03:15 PM

OK, I'll jump in. Not sure if this really fits the assignment, but I assume it's being used for background, it had an quirky story behind it, and I wanted feedback.

I went to a local office building that has a nice courtyard/park/lake. I was going to grab a quick bite inside, then wander around and shoot scenics and architecture. While I was eating, I noticed a fountain I wanted to shoot. I did a couple of shots, including this one, to meter the light in the lobby. When I was going through the card and deleting stuff, I decided to keep this one and submit. Didn't think it would get accepted, but I am frequently wrong.

Not only was it accepted at 6/10 sites, it's made my top 10 in # of sales. I still don't know why. Any ideas?

Karimala · #3 (**permalink**) 04-30-2007, 06:26 PM

Actually, what I had in mind is backgrounds that you use to enhance a subject. It can be anything from the type of material you use in macro studio work to the ambient atmosphere of a particular location or setting (for further clarification on atmospherics, LO is publishing an article of mine in May's newsletter where I provide a bunch of ideas).

Here's my latest experiment:

Tools:
1 rubber ducky
1 floor-tile-sized mirror
1 roll of blue translucent wrapping paper
1 squirt bottle of mineral oil
1 bowl of water and dish soap
1 wire whisk
1 toy bubble blowing gun

The set-up:

I took the mirror and taped the wrapping paper around the bottom and added extra as the backdrop. After the duck was in place, I sprayed him and the mirror with mineral oil to make it look like the duck was sitting in water. Then I whisked up the bowl of water and soap to make bubbles, and laid them out around the duck.

Rubber Duck in Bubbles photo by Karin Lau, LuckyOliver stock photo

To add bigger bubbles, I put the bubble blowing gun into action and sprayed the entire area with bubbles.

Rubber Duck in Bubbles photo by Karin Lau, LuckyOliver stock photo

Karimala · #4 (**permalink**) 04-30-2007, 06:27 PM

I also used the same background with a bottle of shampoo and some fruit shaped soaps:

Fruit Soaps in Bubbles photo by Karin Lau, LuckyOliver stock photo

Shampoo Bubbles photo by Karin Lau, LuckyOliver stock photo

peolsen · #5 (**permalink**) 04-30-2007, 07:28 PM

Wonderful Karin! Think I'll be doing some experimenting myself as soon as time allows.

Paul

jimiking · #6 (**permalink**) 04-30-2007, 07:37 PM

I used this IKEA flashing light box gizmo (which fortunately has a full "on" setting) as the backdrop for a 60's/70's disco scene...

...with one of those cheap plug in USB glitterlamps for the PC in the foreground (I'm a sucker for lighting gadgets you will probably have figured by now).

The glitterlamp has since bitten the dust BTW. I tried a number of different exposure times and eventually came up with the following.

It's not exactly the best seller that I was hoping for, but I was quite pleased with the result.

I know what you're thinking, blue fringing and istock accepted it? Well it is a reflection, honest.

Karimala · #7 (**permalink**) 04-30-2007, 07:49 PM

Very very cool, Jimi! I've thought about plugging in my Christmas lights to achieve a similar effect, but haven't come up with the right subject yet. I was thinking about maybe champagne or something for the holidays, or seeing if I could replicate city lights.

Ooh...I could bundle them up and stick them inside my regular lightbox to make one just like yours! Way cool!

photobunny · #8 (**permalink**) 04-30-2007, 08:14 PM

I isolated this flower really simply by placing it on a small mirror, and holding my black reflector on top to get the background dark. Its really strange as you can see the flowers reflection

Currently doing really well fo rme at Fotolia

RTimages · #9 (**permalink**) 04-30-2007, 09:10 PM

Karin, Your ducks are great, I like the third one the best, what I think would make a fantastic shot is if the third duck was framed by your feet to give the impression you're in the bath with it.
Unless of course you have feet like an old nomad :-)

Karimala · #10 (**permalink**) 04-30-2007, 10:45 PM

Great excuse for a pedicure! :-D