On Black / Black Background photos?

[Krydel]

Have seen many a photo with a black background e.g

I always wondered - how is this done? i've done one with a white background before which is easy enough because light hitting white isnt a problem.

How do you get perfect black background AND have plenty of light for the subject?

 

[Arkady]

Simple - angle the light so it doesn't hit the backdrop - use flags to angle the lights if using directs flash or spots... Position the subject far enough from the backdrop if light does hit it slightly...
Plus usually, the subject luminance range in the image is generally beyond the camera's ability to record it, so the black remains 'black...

Any light contamination can be dealt with either during printing (film) or in PP (digital)...

 

[Byker28i]

I've got two 3-4" thick sheets of polystyrene, about 6 foot high by 2 foot across which stand up.

I use these on either side to screen the light from the background with the object to be photographed in between, but also have everything a fair way back from the backdrop. It helps having a long room.