How to use a Black Background for Any Type of Photography 📸

What you need to know about black background photography. Although a plain black background may look easy to achieve, there are actually quite a few things to consider if you want to get the best results. (Squarespace Coupon: KARL - bit.ly/SquareSpace-Code-KARL)
Here's a helpful guide including tips for...
🗒What background to use?
🗒What lighting is best?
🗒Where do you position your subject?
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Пікірлер: 114

  • @UXXV
    @UXXV3 жыл бұрын

    Black velvet. Brilliant! Never thought of that in a decade plus of work!

  • @speterlewis
    @speterlewis3 жыл бұрын

    Great tips. Shooting against black is a favorite of so many of us, and this will help us do it better and more consistently!

  • @TheOlandex
    @TheOlandex Жыл бұрын

    Your work is inspiring and your knowledge second to none. Thanks Karl!

  • @ChrisJenkspiano
    @ChrisJenkspiano Жыл бұрын

    As always a great educational and instructional video with enough detail not to feel like its a sales video etc. I've watched a lot of Karl Taylor's content (or Visual Education) and it's always well produced, balanced and doesn't fail to reveal tricks and tips of the trade. I'm grateful for this resource

  • @evkollo8939
    @evkollo89393 жыл бұрын

    Apart from the cool lesson itself, the most distinct and understandable pronunciation in English I have ever heard. That is important for non-native speakers. Thank you! p.s. There's also full matt or dead matt paint that has even fewer reflections than the matt one. Available as DIY as well.

  • @slowlyrusting4044
    @slowlyrusting40443 жыл бұрын

    As always, great demonstration and expert explanation. Thanks, Karl.

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Very welcome

  • @kubilaysener88
    @kubilaysener883 жыл бұрын

    Love the videos, very good explained. Amazing teacher!

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    cheers

  • @EliasMabuza
    @EliasMabuza3 жыл бұрын

    Very useful, ever inspiring! Thanks Karl!

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    My pleasure!

  • @josephchan4198
    @josephchan4198 Жыл бұрын

    Awesome classes. Thanks.

  • @marc942
    @marc9423 жыл бұрын

    Clear, concise and appealing as usual. Much appreciated by this newbie.

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad it was helpful!

  • @Mphonik2013
    @Mphonik20133 жыл бұрын

    Vantablack is super expensive like defense department expensive. They use it in optical satellites. Karl you might already know about this stuff but they have this paint called Black 3.0 which supposedly blocks out 99% of visible light. I am not going to post a link or advertise for the guy but you can search it. I believe he is on your side of the pond. I purchased some and its kind of thick to spread but it's pretty black with a velvety finish. Only think I would recommend if you paint a substrate with it do a coat of the cheaper 2.0 first. And keep the background covered when not in use because the surface is ruff and once dust gets on it you cant really get it off and the dust will now reflect.

  • @S1D3K1CKer1992
    @S1D3K1CKer19923 жыл бұрын

    Can we just appreciate he matched his shirt to the video theme? Brilliant explanations as usual and valuable tips.

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you.

  • @TrueEssencePhotography

    @TrueEssencePhotography

    3 жыл бұрын

    Exactly

  • @wilteduk007
    @wilteduk0073 жыл бұрын

    I'd love you to try out a background painted with musou paint, it looks like a close alternative to vanta black.

  • @AmarreMoha
    @AmarreMoha3 жыл бұрын

    As usual I got lot of good tips and am more informed than I was before I clicked on this video, thanks again for the the quick yet thorough explanation.

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad to hear it and thanks.

  • @richardtenhue6425
    @richardtenhue64253 жыл бұрын

    Karl Im sure im not the only one who appreciates how informative your videos are! Thanks for sharing your knowledge bro, Subscribed.

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the sub!

  • @studiodannygolan6190
    @studiodannygolan61903 жыл бұрын

    As always Karl, another great video

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    I appreciate that

  • @sandro6691
    @sandro66913 жыл бұрын

    Excellent videos. I'm enjoying binging on your channel and looking forward to checking out your website classes. Thank you for you work.

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Awesome, thank you!

  • @Raken508
    @Raken5083 жыл бұрын

    If you are looking forward to Vantablack, you should check out Black 3.0 by Stuart Semple. It's the new blackest black AND you can buy it as an individual.

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks

  • @kenspo
    @kenspo3 жыл бұрын

    Good stuff as always!

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Appreciate that

  • @fralesdianaa
    @fralesdianaa3 жыл бұрын

    Clear and great explanations, velvet is the best 👍

  • @sluggztube
    @sluggztube2 жыл бұрын

    Thank You. 🙏

  • @IvanMoyaR
    @IvanMoyaR3 жыл бұрын

    Amazing as always! Thanks for the tips. I’m about to jump into Karl Taylor education

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Great thank you.

  • @cats_a_roundoninstagram743
    @cats_a_roundoninstagram7433 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for sharing your knowledge

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    My pleasure

  • @robertonegrin9001
    @robertonegrin90013 жыл бұрын

    Thank Karl.

  • @messylaura
    @messylaura3 жыл бұрын

    i use black velvet, i also work with oxy-acetylene for welding, i found using the aceteylene soot to coat something straight from the flame with the soot it is dead black but you cant touch it as its just a soot layer and rubs off very easy. if i want to simulate a hole in something thats not flammable like a car body panel i place a round mask over the area and pass the flame over it to make a soot circle (the flame is not hot enough to burn paint), the result is a black circle that sucks up all the light that hits it.

  • @rodrigoundaa
    @rodrigoundaa3 жыл бұрын

    thanks a lot for sharing your knowledge

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    My pleasure

  • @mikewall827
    @mikewall8273 жыл бұрын

    Great tutorial as always Karl. Here's to Vantablack being available soon!

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Fingers crossed!

  • @tmewborn1
    @tmewborn19 ай бұрын

    Thank You Sir, Very interesting, As an Engineer I find Your use of Engineering principals very enlighting

  • @jeanlechasseur9011
    @jeanlechasseur90113 жыл бұрын

    You have a way of making things very clear to understand. I thank you for that.

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    You're very welcome!

  • @Daweisstebescheid
    @Daweisstebescheid3 жыл бұрын

    realy awesome, thanks for sharing 😍👌👍🙋‍♂️

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you too

  • @angphatnguyen4537
    @angphatnguyen45373 ай бұрын

    Musou Black paint can asorbs 99.4% light almost like Vanta black and it available on the market

  • @MikeGiovinazzo
    @MikeGiovinazzo3 жыл бұрын

    on point as always

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Cheers.

  • @satyajitmukhopadya6159
    @satyajitmukhopadya61593 жыл бұрын

    Karl my favorite

  • @iamwhatiam6281
    @iamwhatiam62813 жыл бұрын

    sometimes in portraits I find more interesting a black background without rim light just because expecially with hard lights or high contrast images, the edge lights add separation where I don’t want. I love when the illuminated part of the subject stands out from the black. but obviously the illuminated part must be properly exposed. low key photography is not so simple like it seems

  • @AlainLafleche1
    @AlainLafleche13 жыл бұрын

    Your vidéos Are so Interesting for a beginner like me. thank you.

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad you like them!

  • @wheatfieldproductions1564
    @wheatfieldproductions15642 жыл бұрын

    I follow you from a long time ago, you are a menstruous photographer, congrats. What a good content.

  • @renatozorn7162
    @renatozorn7162 Жыл бұрын

    Wooow! Excellent video! Do you like the lightmeeter (hand lightmeeter in Brazil)? Thanks and CONGRATS!!!

  • @JayJanePhotography
    @JayJanePhotography3 жыл бұрын

    Is that Vander-Black? looks amazing! Just like it was a black solid layer generated in photoshop.

  • @dmitriwildfong-nishman3844
    @dmitriwildfong-nishman38443 жыл бұрын

    Don't know if anyone mentioned it in the comments yet, but British artist Stuart Semple has created a matte black acrylic paint, Black 3.0, that absorbs an astonishing 99% of visible light and costs only $24 for 150ml, the only special rule is you have to promise you won't let the artist Anish Kapoor use it ever. I recommend Googling why if you want a fun story about artists feuding. Likewise, a Japanese company called Koyo Orient Japan has created Musou Black, a paint that absorbs 99.4% of visible light. For around $30, anyone can buy a 100ml bottle of Musou Black. Perfect and affordable for your blackest of black backdrop needs.

  • @eccentricsmithy2746
    @eccentricsmithy27463 жыл бұрын

    Would black microfiber sheets be a good alternative to black velvet sheets?

  • @johnhoughton7794
    @johnhoughton77943 жыл бұрын

    Just had a set of your DVD's delivered today from ebay. Going to make a great Birthday present to go with his camera for my son.

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Well enjoy but it's much cheaper to watch them on our platform and you get everything we've ever made! :)

  • @johnhoughton7794

    @johnhoughton7794

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@VisualEducationStudio I'm a member of your platform for 2 years, Browsing ebay's DVDs found a set for under £10 could not resist.mind you the X1D cost £4000.

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Ha Ha great stuff, I think I've still got some kicking around the studio for nostalgic reasons!

  • @noyb154
    @noyb1543 жыл бұрын

    generous. thanks.

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    You bet!

  • @GrahamGphotoParker
    @GrahamGphotoParker2 жыл бұрын

    Hi. Is there different types of black velvet and have you got any reconditions where to get some. Cheers

  • @gregoryhauser1506
    @gregoryhauser15063 жыл бұрын

    Thanks, this vid helped me choose what color to paint my studio which is nearing completion. 18% Gray walls to 8’? The rest white to 18’ height. Undecided for ceiling white or grey it’s a small studio “L” shaped built-in “V” flat x 2.

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'd go white for the ceiling and consider black foam board panels which you can stick with velcro when you need to black it out

  • @gregoryhauser1506

    @gregoryhauser1506

    3 жыл бұрын

    Wow thanks for the reply! I’ll look into it and see what’s available locally. It’s a home studio, was an atrium but had water damage which destroyed my floor. So I’m reclaiming the space. Has 18’ ceiling + sky light with blackout sunshade. I think I’ll paint the walls grey up to ceiling and the ceiling white. I want to mention you work inspires me quite a bit since my style is similar. 🥂

  • @jaspergoodall3206
    @jaspergoodall32063 жыл бұрын

    Great lessons. One question: in your product photography you sometimes have a kind of semi- reflective but mat substrate of some kind under the product. What is it? Mat black Perspex maybe? Any suggestions? Thanks!

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hi yes it's matt black acrylic

  • @apocalypse487
    @apocalypse4873 жыл бұрын

    Musuo black is another alternative. It's available to the public.

  • @emptyandseephotos7858
    @emptyandseephotos78583 жыл бұрын

    Diamond is formed in long time pressure under ground of black carbon. So is your valuable video!

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you.

  • @RagingBubuli
    @RagingBubuli3 жыл бұрын

    Musou black is also an alternative and is already commercially available for the public.

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    cheers

  • @WilkinsonStarLtd
    @WilkinsonStarLtd3 жыл бұрын

    Thoughts on paper backdrops? we use these but it doesnt seem to look clean on the final image and you can see creases in the paper ?

  • @navagiopoint

    @navagiopoint

    3 жыл бұрын

    i just bought white paper and black. I think gonna give the black 1 star rating, looks almost oily

  • @rmtn1849
    @rmtn18495 ай бұрын

    Any camera specific settings to achieve these kind of black subject on black backdrop photos? Without the accessibility of extra lights to use? New to photography, just have an RX100 camera and looking to take photos of someone wearing a black dress with a black backdrop and dont want the edges to get lost

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    5 ай бұрын

    There are never any camera specific settings to use. The camera settings to use such as your aperture is a mechanism to control how much light comes through to your sensor and how much depth of field you want, the setting for the amount of light is based on how much light there is which is never a constant and the amount of depth of field you want is a creative choice. The shutter speed is another mechanical component of a camera that also relates to how much light there is and also if you have movement that you want to capture frozen sharp or blurred. Unfortunately many people that are new to photography ask about camera settings without realising that it's like asking how many layers of clothes should i wear to go outside today. It depends on the weather, the wind, the time of year and your own comfort levels, decisions that should be made by you. The most important thing to learn as a new photographer (especially in relation to your question) is light. You should do our free course and it will get you up to speed: visualeducation.com/free-photography-course/

  • @davidowle3772
    @davidowle37722 жыл бұрын

    Kopro VL Flock fabric is available...

  • @voiceonearts
    @voiceonearts3 жыл бұрын

    Vanta black IS technically available to the public, an artist made their own version that isn't effected by the trademark and it is available to artists. Worth looking into, an artist here in Dallas has used it for paintings! It's very cool. Expensive though.

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the info.

  • @n900video

    @n900video

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@VisualEducationStudio There is also "Black 3.0 - the world's blackest black acrylic paint"

  • @voiceonearts

    @voiceonearts

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@VisualEducationStudio sure thing! Thanks for ALL your amazing info! I can't get enough of all your concise and professional knowledge, the framework of these lessons are so inclusive and motivational!

  • @voiceonearts

    @voiceonearts

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@VisualEducationStudio I believe it's called Black 3.0

  • @voiceonearts

    @voiceonearts

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@n900video yes, that one hahaha thank you!

  • @mjl1958
    @mjl19583 жыл бұрын

    Is black Molton a suitable alternative to velvet?

  • @bp-blackshark

    @bp-blackshark

    3 жыл бұрын

    Velvet have a 3-dimensional surface, thats why it is working so great, to absorb light. Think about a surface like that: .I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I.I. The "standing" fibers will catch and reflect any beams of light, which are coming from a certain direction. There is nearly no flat reflective surface which is showing into the direction from the camera, like you would have with a regular paper or vinyl background. Molton would probably be better as paper, but a roll of Colorama Velor-background (1,32m x 7,30m) doesn`t cost you an arm and a leg: about 80€...or if you need a big background: Velor background from BRESSER: 2,70m x 6,00m...120€

  • @fabfourdub1284
    @fabfourdub12843 жыл бұрын

    There is many new black paint now that does similar effect as vantablack...cheaper and available.

  • @jacquelinemartin9793
    @jacquelinemartin97932 жыл бұрын

    Hi Karl, For the black Velvet. Is it safe to say that this fabric should be 100% cotton? If not, what should it be made of and where can one purchase in Canada/USA? I've been trying to find 100% cotton Velvet, but haven't found any yet Thank you for this wonderful video

  • @jacquelinemartin9793

    @jacquelinemartin9793

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hi Karl, Hoping to get some guidance on Velvet Fabric Please. Is it 100% cotton one needs to look for? I have seen so many types, but haven't yet been able to find 100% Cotton in Canada Any suggestions as to where to purchase? Thank you

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    2 жыл бұрын

    Hi, please contact our customer support which be reached through your member home page on Karl Taylor Education.

  • @zuriazuria1156
    @zuriazuria11563 жыл бұрын

    ☺️🍃🙏❤

  • @guillermomartinez3125
    @guillermomartinez31253 жыл бұрын

    you should check musou black paint

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Will do thanks

  • @mohammadfarooq7229
    @mohammadfarooq72293 жыл бұрын

    Sir iam useing frist time 1985 wedding photography

  • @pitaorj
    @pitaorj3 жыл бұрын

    you can buy musou black instead of vanta black.

  • @teleking58
    @teleking583 жыл бұрын

    Not duvatyne?

  • @akjohn445
    @akjohn4453 жыл бұрын

    How can I like this video twice?

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Not sure, but thanks :)

  • @KeyurBhatt8
    @KeyurBhatt83 жыл бұрын

    I am waiting for your every video and one time buy 1 month subscriptions

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Cheers

  • @KeyurBhatt8

    @KeyurBhatt8

    3 жыл бұрын

    Very kind of sir for upload learning video thanks so much

  • @senstravels5513
    @senstravels55133 жыл бұрын

    Black 3.0 is the blackest black commercially available.

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Great thanks

  • @chrisogrady28
    @chrisogrady283 жыл бұрын

    It must be hard to get the cove back from black to white

  • @VisualEducationStudio

    @VisualEducationStudio

    3 жыл бұрын

    Three coats of Dulux Vinyl Matt

  • @rp.aguilera
    @rp.aguilera3 жыл бұрын

    who the heck dislikes this video???

  • @MrAtomicPhotography

    @MrAtomicPhotography

    3 жыл бұрын

    It is a (weird?) fact that you can´t please everybody, no matter how hard you try.