DPReview.com is closing April 10th - Find out more

Backgrounds for macro

Started 3 months ago | Discussions
Chris 345 Regular Member • Posts: 156
Backgrounds for macro
8

Although the relatively small depth of field in macro photography helps give unobtrusive backgrounds, I sometimes have problems to overcome, especially when using flash. The fall off in illumination when using flash may lead to dark or even black backgrounds. Whether this is desirable or not depends on circumstances and the photographer’s preference – a black background can certainly make the subject stand out.

Background without flash

Flash fall off giving dark background

Flash fall off giving dark background

If an insect is located on a large flower, it may be possible to fill the background with petals and therefore avoid capturing distant, dimly illuminated objects.

Fall off in illumination is obviously worse when ambient light is low and the flash provides most of the light in the foreground. In sunny weather, I can adjust my camera settings to avoid a dark background, still keeping a high enough shutter speed to freeze action. When using very high shutter speeds to capture insects in flight, however, my main concern is subject illumination and using a small aperture for depth of field rather than concentrate on the brightness of the background.

The above remarks apply when I am walking around ‘in the field’ and have limited control over conditions. In my garden, I can prune unwanted plant stems from the background and rotate plant pots for optimum lighting. Going a stage further, I have even produced my own background sheets by photographing out of focus foliage and printing out the images. Mounting the prints on card makes them easier to keep in position. This technique works best if insects such as bees regularly visit a particular flower. As the background is already out of focus, the print can be moved close enough to the subject to be brightly illuminated.

Background sheet placed on outside of aquarium

richj20 Forum Pro • Posts: 10,181
Re: Backgrounds for macro
1

Very impressive. Nice work.

I often like a black background to emphasize the subject -  especially colors. Mostly with flowers, but sometimes insects.

An interesting suggestion about making backgrounds. How do you anchor your background cards on the ground?

- Richard

-- hide signature --
jim mij Senior Member • Posts: 1,027
Re: Backgrounds for macro

Nice selection with differing backgrounds and approaches. Educational too.

Not that it matters but I prefer the darker ones, and least like the white ones, it can be difficult to get “white” to look good.

i did get some fake backgrounds recently but so far only managed to use 1.  I still get too wrapped up in the subject to think about the surroundings. Guess that’s a resolution for new year…

Jim

 jim mij's gear list:jim mij's gear list
Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 AF 1.4x Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM
BBbuilder467 Veteran Member • Posts: 7,057
Re: Backgrounds for macro
1

To isolate subjects for close-ups, I've used landscape fabric to drape over garden flowers to avoid damaging them. Some of that fabric is a flimsy, cottony type and is ultra-light. It's easy to cut to fit and a big piece compresses down to fit in a pocket.

macrouser
macrouser Senior Member • Posts: 3,979
Re: Backgrounds for macro

I enjoyed your photos and article very much.

Most of my photos are around my garden and the insects often determine the background.  If the background is very dark, I will usually brighten it to make more detail in the subject.  I am more interested in discovery and identification than the art.  I do still try to make things look good.

All the birds in flight photos have led me to try with insects.  Hover flies, bee flies and drone flies are all good subjects.  Bees can be done to.

 macrouser's gear list:macrouser's gear list
Sony SLT-A77 Sony a7R III Sigma 150mm F2.8 EX DG Macro HSM Sony FE 90mm F2.8 macro Sony FE 70-300mm F4.5-5.6 G OSS +2 more
River Photography
River Photography Senior Member • Posts: 1,413
Re: Backgrounds for macro

very nice work, all of them

Rp

 River Photography's gear list:River Photography's gear list
Sony a7 IV Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VXD Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2
Bas Hamstra Senior Member • Posts: 2,069
Re: Backgrounds for macro

jim mij wrote:

Nice selection with differing backgrounds and approaches. Educational too.

Not that it matters but I prefer the darker ones, and least like the white ones, it can be difficult to get “white” to look good.

i did get some fake backgrounds recently but so far only managed to use 1. I still get too wrapped up in the subject to think about the surroundings. Guess that’s a resolution for new year…

Jim

And the new year is progressing...personally I am in my second year and hope to be ready in spring, with a better diffuser and I will try to up my game. But backgrounds, yeah it absolutely matters. Quiet background, color harmony. Like you I am sometimes to involved in getting the insect perfect and leave the rest sort of to luck.

I think these fake background are more for studio guys, you know, these types who seem to have pet spiders that they can place anywhere they like at will.

Bas

 Bas Hamstra's gear list:Bas Hamstra's gear list
Canon EOS 5D Canon EOS 6D Olympus OM-D E-M10 Olympus E-M1 II Canon EF 35mm F1.4L USM +11 more
jim mij Senior Member • Posts: 1,027
Re: Backgrounds for macro

Bas Hamstra wrote:

jim mij wrote:

Nice selection with differing backgrounds and approaches. Educational too.

Not that it matters but I prefer the darker ones, and least like the white ones, it can be difficult to get “white” to look good.

i did get some fake backgrounds recently but so far only managed to use 1. I still get too wrapped up in the subject to think about the surroundings. Guess that’s a resolution for new year…

Jim

And the new year is progressing...personally I am in my second year and hope to be ready in spring, with a better diffuser and I will try to up my game. But backgrounds, yeah it absolutely matters. Quiet background, color harmony. Like you I am sometimes to involved in getting the insect perfect and leave the rest sort of to luck.

I think these fake background are more for studio guys, you know, these types who seem to have pet spiders that they can place anywhere they like at will.

Bas

Hah, I’ve watched those too, but I prefer real ones… that said I’ve a small spider living in one of my orchids, I’m hoping it’ll change colour to match when the buds open

-- hide signature --

Jim

 jim mij's gear list:jim mij's gear list
Canon EOS M6 II Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM Canon EF-S 60mm f/2.8 Macro USM Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 AF 1.4x Canon EF-M 22mm f/2 STM
Keyboard shortcuts:
FForum MMy threads