Invisible Black Background Photography

Studio Quality Invisible Black Background Technique

During a photo shoot, there are times when a black background would make a great shot become amazing. But what happens if you don’t have a black backdrop? The studio quality invisible black background (SQIBB) technique allows a photographer to capture an amazing shot with a black background anytime and anywhere. Whether you are inside with terrible lighting or outside on a sunny afternoon, you can get a studio quality invisible black background without actually being in a studio.

What you’ll need:

Camera
Speed light
Trigger
Rogue Flash bender
Light stand (not necessary, but helpful)

Camera Settings

To get ready there are a few things you will need to do. Set up your speed light and sync it to the trigger. For help on how to sync your speed light click this video link. Put the rogue flash bender on the speed light and close it up in a cylinder shape to create a snoot. Set your camera settings so that your picture will come out completely black. This will change based on what the light is like where you are. Roughly use these settings and change where necessary: ISO 100 (lowest), shutter speed 1/250 (max speed sync) and start at an aperture 8 if inside (as high as F20 if outside.)

When taking the shot, aim the speed light snoot at the subject you are photographing and take the picture. If you don’t have a light stand available it does work if you or a friend just hold and point the speed light. Because your settings are set up to take a fully black photo, whatever the light from the speed light hits will show up in the image. This will take some trial and error. If your background is showing, increase your shutter speed as that controls your ambient light. If your subject is too bright/dark adjust your aperture or your speed light’s power.

Each of the pictures below were taken in brightly lit rooms using the SQIBB technique.