Black flock/velvet background?

[oliverfisher]

Hello,

I wondered if anyone could tell me where I can buy black flock or velvet suitable for using as a background. I've been searching for ages but i can't find any photographic background manufacturers that actually make black flock backgrounds and I've not been able to find any black velvet which doesn't have a sheen on it.

I'm looking for something that's going to as far as possible absorb all the light that hits it. A completely flat non reflective black background. I need it roughly 2m by 3m. To be honest I'd have thought this would be something that most photographers would need at some point so I'm surprised it's so hard to track down.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Ollie

[Mojo_66]

Have you tried the local market?

[Gordon_McGeachie]

Have you tried the local market?

shouldnt that be the `Black` market?

[The Circle Of Confusion]

Are you looking to photograph something specific?

The way I usually get a black background is with a bit of black card (or a bit of mdf painted with blackboard paint) set back from the subject then I take care to light the subject not the background.

Where I need a softer background to drape over something I use black bed sheets! Cheap and big. You could also try blackout material from a darkroom supplier.

[Mojo_66]

Mounting board works quite well.

[oliverfisher]

No that's not what I need. Black backgrounds are available everywhere. What I need is a textured flock or velvet surface. Like the sort of thing u would photograph jewelery on. So that I can light something that's actually sitting on the background but it still appears black. I'm currently using black paper. But if a light goes anywhere near it it appears grey.

Technically I want something that if a light shines on it so mid grey is mid grey. I want the background to be 4.5 - 5 stops below that. My old photography reference books say that flock or velvet should achieve this. Blackboard paint or a flat fabric will only get maybe 3 stops or less. Which ain't gonna cut it.

Ollie

[Mojo_66]

In that case the local market or fabric shop probably is your best bet. I have on occasion used one of my old frocks but judging by your name I can see how this might not be an option open to you.

[oliverfisher]

I have no problems accessing women's dresses.



Ollie

[The Circle Of Confusion]

I have no problems accessing women's dresses.



Ollie

I got some funny looks a while back buying white stockings to use as a flash diffuser. Did they really think I was going to wear them? White is just SO not my colour..

[Wonkydog]

Tried ebay?

http://listings.ebay.co.uk/_W0QQsocmdZLi...earch&fgtp=

[Towershot]

I have no problems accessing women's dresses.



Ollie

I got some funny looks a while back buying white stockings to use as a flash diffuser. Did they really think I was going to wear them? White is just SO not my colour..

Black stockings worked for me!!!have to be stockings though,don,t like tights [img]/forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[camerajunky]

I use a black poly cotton background these days,
it gives the same result but is much lighter to transport.

[Malcolm_Stewart]

Are you looking for the photographic equivalent of an anechoic chamber? The normal route here is to use geometry as well as the very low reflectivity of the surface, e.g. by setting the surface at an angle.
This reference deals with chambers for non light purposes (which is why you can see the geometric forms) but the basic principles are the same.

[Fen]

Malcolm,

You might not get an answer, the post is from July 2007. Mr 'camerajunky' phiggied it with (what may of been) an self advertising post.

[Malcolm_Stewart]

Thanks, Fen.

I spent some hours working in radar style anechoic chambers some years ago, so thought it might be worth passing the info on - I'd totally missed the early OP date!

[Fen]

No worries

I think an anechoic chamber would make a great subject for photography. Did you ever get the chance to do that?

[Malcolm_Stewart]

...I think an anechoic chamber would make a great subject for photography. Did you ever get the chance to do that?

Yes - but I left all the negatives in the secure company archives when I left. Pity - our set-up was very impressive, not just the sheer size and the foam pyramids but the attention to the floor, rails and support structure on which the aerials could be moved. All aimed at giving us an echo free environment - but never as good as testing in a very large open space, a real field where rain frequently stopped play, and the Lloyd's Mirror phenomenon had us dictating to the grass cutter how and when he should cut!

[Terrywoodenpic]

When I had to photograph jewellery for a living I used a sheet of very thick glass (3/8 thick) this was mounted over a black ground which is not actually very important...
I made a large tube of thick cartridge paper, positioned so that the camera lens could see down it. The camera end of the tube provided an unlit black reflection around the jewelry.
The reflection of the inside of the tube itself gave an all round light as it was reflected in the glass and appeared to light to jewel from behind as well.

The back reflection of the jewel was offset to one side by the thickness of the glass, and in those days was air brushed out. To day it it would be so much easier in PP.

The tube was lit with spotlights.

This all sounds complicated but in practice was very easy.

Larger objects are best photographed on long rods pushed through the background material and fixed with blue tack or the like. They can then be lit with out throwing much light on the background,giving a rich black.

I learnt the rod technique from the Design centre in the early sixties. The glass one, I discovered my self, whilst working in Madrid in the late 50's