What Colour Backgrounds For New Studio

wormishere

wormishere

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Mark
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Hi,

I am making a small studio for product photography - this will be for a whole host of antiques such as silver, glass, ceramics, books, jewellery etc.

I have a Lencarta Smart Flash 2 set up (2 strobes and 2 softboxes) and now I am looking to get the paper. Will a white background be suitable for all of these applications or would a another background be needed to give more contrast for items such as silver, glass, etc?

Also, what white is better for product work - Polar White or Arctic White?

Thanks for your help.
 
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If you're going for white, then white is white when lit, there is no real difference between them - unless of course you're in the business of selling them, when it's obviously better to sell people as many as possible:)
But white is the worst possible choice for product photography because, as you've correctly identified, white will reduce contrast, will make precise lighting control difficult and also has the potential to cause lens flare.
Personally I find grey to be the most useful, most of the time - doesn't create the problems of white, and is generally light enough when unlit to allow the products to be cut out in PP. If for any reason it's a bit too dark, just add a bit of light to it as necessary.
 
Thanks for that. I have been looking and I quite like the look of a dark charcoal gray rather than some of the lighter tones (they look a lot more dramatic). Would this work ok?

I'm thinking along the lines of http://www.photography-backgrounds....-Papers/1.35-x-11-metres/101257-Charcoal.html or http://www.photography-backgrounds....apers/1.35-x-11-metres/101243-Smoke-Grey.html

Also (I am a total beginner sorry), will I need to set my white balance with a white card before I shoot? I have a Canon G12 and I am sure there is a custom WB setting.

Thanks again!
 
Yes, that will do fine - and so will any other shade of grey.
Including a colour target, or setting a custom white balance, is a very good idea
 
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