How to Photograph Knives and Metal Objects: Tips for a Black Background That Makes Metal Shine
Want premium-looking photos of knives, blades, cutlery or other metal products? What makes the difference is a background that is truly black. In this article, we photograph the same knife on a white background and on two black fabrics, and share our tips for shooting metal.
In short
• Metal mirrors whatever is around it. Make the surroundings black too, not just the background, and the shine and outline of the blade come out crisp.
• For the background, we recommend Musou Black Fabric KIWAMI, which reflects only about 0.1% of visible light. The more affordable VL Flock Sheet also gives great results if you adjust the exposure.
• Both fabrics can be cut to fit your light box or shooting table.
White background vs. black background
This is an ordinary kitchen knife borrowed from the kitchen. The photos were taken with a smartphone by one of our staff, who is not a photographer.
On Musou Black Fabric KIWAMI, the whole photo looks tighter, the metal of the blade looks clean, and the knife takes on a premium feel. The background is so black it seems to disappear, so nothing distracts from the subject.
Tips for photographing metal and knives
- Surround the subject with blackA metal surface reflects its surroundings like a mirror. Put up black fabric or boards at the sides and above, not just underneath, so nothing unwanted shows up in the blade.
- Use a large light from an angleA small light from the front creates harsh white hot spots. Light from a window or a large light source at an angle gives a clean streak of light along the blade.
- Lower the exposureOn a black background, a smartphone tries to brighten the whole picture. Tap the blade and pull the brightness down a little: the black becomes deeper and the texture of the metal comes through.
Cutlery looks great on black, too
Not only reflective blades like knives: silver metal products such as cutlery also work very well with a black background.
Musou Black Fabric KIWAMI vs. VL Flock Sheet
There is also a more affordable black fabric you can use as a background: VL Flock Sheet. In photos, the impression is not very different. We placed the two side by side to compare their blackness.
| Musou Black Fabric KIWAMI | VL Flock Sheet | |
|---|---|---|
| Visible light reflectance (550 nm) | About 0.1% | About 0.3% |
| Best for | You find exposure adjustment tricky, or simply want the blackest possible background | You can adjust exposure on your camera, or want to start at a lower price |
If you can adjust the exposure on your camera, VL Flock Sheet is more than enough. If you are not comfortable adjusting it, Musou Black Fabric KIWAMI is the safer choice.
Metal products that suit a black background
- Jewelry and rings
- Swords, including Japanese katana
- Metalwork such as chased or hammered metal art
- Golf clubs
- Silver-colored frying pans and pots
Cut to size for your backdrop
Musou Black Fabric KIWAMI and VL Flock Sheet are available in A4 size and in lengths by the meter, and we can also cut them to the size you specify, for example to fit the backdrop of a commercial photo light box. See our custom cutting service, or tell us the size you need through our contact form.
The black fabrics used in this article
Musou Black Fabric KIWAMIVisible light reflectance about 0.1% (550 nm). For knives and metal products. Available from A4 size. 
VL Flock SheetVisible light reflectance about 0.3% (550 nm). An affordable black fabric. Available from A4 size.
See all our black fabrics on the fabrics page.
Related articles
- Why KIWAMI Fabric Beats Green Screen for Chroma Key
- Musou Black Ruler: Non-Reflective Ruler for Outdoor Photography
Originally published in Japanese on March 14, 2024. Translated into English in October 2026.
