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New to macro, tips for getting black background

Started 6 months ago | Questions thread
BBbuilder467 Veteran Member • Posts: 7,057
Re: New to macro, tips for getting black background

Dann-Oh wrote:

Hey all,

Recently I started getting into macro. I am currently using Olympus OMD EM1-3 camera body with either the 60mm F2.8 macro or the 30mm F3.5 macro lenses. I also recently bought the Flashpoint MF12 for macro. I am really enjoying the journey so far, I am still just working with single image files. I have attempted Flowers and Mushroom photos (link the imgur albums)

I am wondering if you guys and gals could help me figure out an easy way to get a black background. I was able to get the black background on the flowers but I has to stop down to F16 (apparently that's too much for micro 4/3 sensors) and then I just basically dumped the black slider to the far left. The flower images were nearly black without a flash so I think I am doing something right.

Is there a better way to get a black background?

Thanks for the tips I look forward to the journey.

When you reach macro image sizes with the micro 4/3, I don't think you can get the under-exposed background using flash like you can with flowers. It might be similar to the mushrooms, where you don't have enough open space behind the subject.

The simplest way in the field is use a colored card or fabric to isolate the subject. At 1:1, a US dime fills the frame, so it doesn't need to be very big.

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