Hey there, In this blog, we're going to talk about light reflectivity and sheen in paint and backdrops.
As someone who has been painting for most of my adult life, I became really interested in the physical makeup of paint when I started making backdrops. The never-ending dance between glossy and matte finishes sometimes drives me crazy (in a good way). You may have heard the term "wet look" before, and I often find myself trying to achieve it without adding gloss, which is almost impossible. Hopefully, this blog will help explain why.
Picture Description - Backdrop "Winter Waterfall". Many layers of very thin paint absorbs into the fabric instead of laying on top like layer of film which helps to absorb light and has little to no light reflectivity.
So, let's start with light reflectivity. The amount of light that a surface reflects is called light reflectivity. It's measured by reflecting light off of specific angles. Gloss is measured at a 60-degree angle, and the closer the gloss units are to 100, the shinier and glossier the paint. Essentially, the more compact the surface is, the shinier it becomes. This helps create "depth" or the elusive "wet look." However, the problem is that once you start to compact the surface and create more light reflectivity, the more gloss you add. Adding a layer of matte varnish may help, but it often turns out milky or gives a hazy look to the final piece.
When it comes to backdrops, the reflectivity level can greatly affect the brightness, contrast, and overall feel of your image. Backdrops with higher reflectivity levels reflect more light, creating a brighter image with higher contrast. This is great for capturing detailed shots with lots of texture and color. Backdrops with lower reflectivity levels absorb more light, creating a softer image with less contrast. This is perfect for achieving a more subtle and natural look, such as in portrait and wedding photography.
Moving on to sheen, it refers to the amount of shine or gloss a backdrop has. Backdrops with a matte finish have a low level of sheen, while glossy backdrops have a higher level of sheen. The type of finish you choose can greatly impact the mood and feel of your image. A matte finish provides a smooth and subtle texture that can create a relaxed and natural atmosphere in your photographs. This is great for portrait photography or any image that needs a natural feel without a lot of distractions. On the other hand, a glossy finish provides a high shine and reflective surface that can make your subject pop. This is perfect for commercial and advertising photography or any image that requires a lot of visual impact.
As photographers I'm sure most of you are aware of these terms and ideas I just wanted to add my take on things coming from someone who is making tools for all of you to use.
Picture Description - Backdrop "Golden Hour." Made with real brass metallic powder in combination with an acrylic binder. This backdrop went through a 5 step sanding process to bring out a luxurious sheen. Then I intentionally cracked the surface to create swings in light reflectivity.
Comments