How to Photograph Dark Colored Objects

Whether you are photographing a mass of dark objects, an article of clothing to sell, or a puppy dog, capturing the detail in dark objects doesn't have to be an impossible task!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Adjustable, quality lighting
• A Digital Camera
• Basic photo-editing software, such as Microsoft Picture Manager, Photoshop, or Photostudio.
• A variety of positioning locations to test for lighting
• a White or light background, like a bed or a sheet

1. 
    
   Looking at the jacket here, we can tell that there is more texture than can be seen from this angle.

   This example will be based on photographing dark clothing, but can be applied to other situations. Evaluate the garment to look at the texture. The trick will be to capture the texture with light and shadows.

2. 
    
   The texture is visable up-close with lighting and shadows.

   To capture the texture, get close to the fabric and see which angle shows off the texture the best. You may need to move the garment to a different location, place it hanging or laying down, etc.,

3. When photographing dark colored clothing, do like the pros do! Take a 'normal' photo then zoom in on the texture. The trick to is all is to create shadows where you want and need them. That will give your dark item the depth you are looking for!

Tips & Warnings

• When taking close-ups, be sure to adjust your camera accordingly so that the photo is clear.
• You can use your photo-editing software to increase the contrast in the photo. This will help to highlight the texture.
• Avoid taking a flash photo straight-on, as it will justs look like a black hole!
• If you use a flash, the black absorbs the light. Take advantage of the light source by taking a photo from an angle so that the light bounces off the high parts of your dark item.

Resources

• Lulu Publishing

[bookmom]

on 4/24/2008 I found that a neutral background is really key too. Sometimes the camera has a hard time reading the black against white so it washes out the white, or omits the detail on the black. But a black object against gray or brown doesn't react like that because light hits both colors the same way. I found this out with advice and experimentation after I was having a terrible time photographing a black bag I wanted to sell.

[bookmom]

on 4/24/2008 I found that a neutral background is really key too. Sometimes the camera has a hard time reading the black against white so it washes out the white, or omits the detail on the black. But a black object against gray or brown doesn't react like that because light hits both colors the same way. I found this out with advice and experimentation after I was having a terrible time photographing a black bag I wanted to sell.