Even before Stahly recommended we all share our work on white backgrounds for consistency I was shooting on white backgrounds. Even White Dwarf ask for images on a white background. I’ve always shot on a white background, but now I’m thinking of changing to the darkside! Comparisons after the jump.
Photographing on black or white backgrounds has it’s challenges. White backgrounds need lots of light on the background to burn out the background but you have to be careful not to over-expose the subject. Black backgrounds are the opposite. You don’t want lots of light on a black background as you run the risk of under-exposing.
For this black background I used velvet. Velvet is fantastic at absorbing light. It doesn’t reflect it so the blacks are really deep and rich. This means you can light the subject without too much fear of turning the background grey by over-lighting it. The downside is you don’t get any bounce light that you would from a white background. So the underneath of the model is dark and in shadow.
This Helbrute on a white background is lit really well all over because the background is also helping to bounce light all over the model including underneath.
I really like the Stormcast model on the black background because it’s made up of so many light colours. The Furioso Dreadnought looks better on the white background because it stands out better.
So after looking at a few examples, what do you prefer? White or black backgrounds? What should I do for the future?
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white 😀
Honestly, this shouldn't be a question of "OR". White and black are too stark of colours and unless you're using one for a specific reason to create contrast, don't use them. Look at what photographers use, either something off white/black, some texture, etc. Personally, I like to use a scene with some colours to put minis in their context. Don't make it too busy and don't make the colours too strong. I wash the colours out so they don't detract from the eyes.
Have a tutorial for anyone wanting to make their own background with free photo software.
http://www.wargamingtradecraft.com/2012/10/photography-tips-backgrounds.html
I often feel that a white background overpowers the miniature. So, more often than not I prefer black backgrounds.
It also depends on the format you intend to publish in. GW likes white backgrounds because it makes it simple to cut, paste, & move around a white page. Black eats up a lot of ink, but that isn't an issue for your website.
I used to use a black background, but I eventually switched to white once I lost access to a professional photo studio, since white is easier to color balance (a topic I know you're familiar with)
Personally I like them both for different reasons. The colour on the black look stronger, but the detail on the white is more intense. My question is when photographing on a black background is it any different rule wise than taking photos on a white background. I'm curious as I'd be interesting trying to see the results.
I think I prefer the white background, but I don't mind if you mix it up.
In general I think it's easier to see the details in your great paint-work with the white background, at least with the examples you posted.
Black is the new black 😉
Just like my photography professor always said, white drops for models and other pretty people, dark backgrounds for normals.
I'd say your tutorials benefit from white, but to show them off, black brings out the colours better. Your Stormcast model at the top is the main example. The colours look washed out on the white background, looks a little over exposed on white.
More often than not I prefer black backgrounds as the contrast lifts the figure and is much more eye catching. White backgrounds tend not to but don't attract the eye to the picture, unless of course the figure is predominantly dark/black itself. No fits all solution but my default would be balck.
I really prefer the stormcast on the black background the colours pop a lot better.
I think each model deserves the background that will make the model pop better.
The Banshees would look a lot better on black
I think it depends a bit of the color schemes of the painted models. So bright colours and a white backround don't fit very well together and dark colours plus a black backround isn't also. Overall iam for the black backround, because it looks much better. Maybe you could try a grey backround, or a bright blue one as GW did years ago :)!?
Best regards
As a whole, I would say white background. The overall brightness makes the details more easy to see. The black background makes the miniature "pop" more in terms of contrast, but white is definitely the way to go!
Both work for most models with black tending to be is more moody and white more technical. The exception to the most is the storm casts that just look amazing on the black, I was less sold on the colours you'd picked to be honest but against black they really shine and gain a lot more depth. I'm totally sold now, might be worth for some models on black sticking an extra spot light from a lower angle to counteract the loss of the bounce light but your 10 times the photographer I am so I know you'll sort it out and I hope tell us how you did it.
Clear answer: depends ? The Dread is a perfect example. Dark models look better in front of a bright background. Apart from that I prefer the black ones. The white ones look pretty much like pictures for a shop.