Using Speed Lights and Controlling Your Settings to get a Black Background in Any Location
As nice as it is to have a studio available wherever you go, sometimes that isn’t possible. However, that doesn’t mean you can get epic, dramatic shots anywhere you are. Using a speed light and a Rouge Flash Bender wrapped into a tube and setting your camera up with a low ISO, shutter speed between 1/80 to 1/250, and smaller aperture (higher numbers) you can get a black background in any location. This technique is called SQIBB– “Studio Quality Invisible Black Background” by Caryn Esplin who learned the technique from Dave Black.
TEACHING OTHERS
I used this method while on a field trip with my mom’s Junior High Photography students and they freaked out. We were in a restaurant eating when I whipped it out really quick to get a picture of my food and to show them. They couldn’t believe that the bowls of salsa just inches away from my plate were completely blacked out.
SET UP IN THE LIVING ROOM
FINAL SHOT – HEAD SHOT
NIKON D3400, 50mm, ISO 100, 1/160, f/11, Model: Ben Moser
PERSONALITY HEAD SHOT
NIKON D3400, 122mm, ISO 100, 1/160, f/11, Model: Zachary Roselle
This picture was just taken in fully light apartment living room with white walls. It goes to show that you can take epic pictures with black backgrounds even in a boys’ college dorm.
STORY TELLING – LONG BOARD
NIKON D3400, 62mm, ISO 100, 1/160, f/11, Model: Ben’s awesome long board & Ben Moser
NIKON D3400, 70mm, ISO 100, 1/160, f/11, Model: Ben’s awesome long board & Ben Moser
