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- Kevin
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I actually find that when I am shooting still life, or indoor floral images, that I can manage without a dark cloth. However that's probably because of the way that I choose to light the subject:
a) Set up a dark background
b) Position the subject as far away as possible from the background, to reduce light falling on the background.
c) Draw the curtains (in the room I usually use, they are very thick curtains)
d) Switch on one or two lights which are aimed towards the subject. I use anglepoise lamps.
e) Switch off the room lights
f) I now have a very clear view of the subject set against a dark background.
In short there is a fair bit of light on the subject and as little as possible anywhere but the subject. The dark cloth isn't needed because there isn't any extraneous light that needs to be cut out.
That approach will give lighting something like this:
Phalaenopsis by Kevin Allan, on Flickr
However if you want natural lighting then, as suggested above, shining more light temporarily on the subject whilst you focus will help.
a) Set up a dark background
b) Position the subject as far away as possible from the background, to reduce light falling on the background.
c) Draw the curtains (in the room I usually use, they are very thick curtains)
d) Switch on one or two lights which are aimed towards the subject. I use anglepoise lamps.
e) Switch off the room lights
f) I now have a very clear view of the subject set against a dark background.
In short there is a fair bit of light on the subject and as little as possible anywhere but the subject. The dark cloth isn't needed because there isn't any extraneous light that needs to be cut out.
That approach will give lighting something like this:
Phalaenopsis by Kevin Allan, on Flickr
However if you want natural lighting then, as suggested above, shining more light temporarily on the subject whilst you focus will help.