We spend a lot of time learning about lighting scenes — where to add it, how much to use, how to modify it, etc. And as important as it is to learn how to add light to a scene, it's equally important to know how to remove it, and this quick, helpful video will show you why and how.
Coming to you from David Bergman with Adorama TV, this great video talks about negative fill. Negative fill is exactly what its name implies: fill that actually removes light. This is done by using some sort of material that absorbs light rather than reflecting it, commonly the back side of a v-flat, though really, any dark, matte material should do the trick. Take some time to experiment with how the distance you place the negative fill from your subject affects the shadows created on them, and notice how you can use it both subtly to add a bit of dimension or more prominently to add drama a photo. It's also commonly used to remove contaminating light. As you progress in artificial lighting, you'll come to appreciate how important it is for completing your vision. Check out the video above for the full rundown.
Very cool but I can't imagine ever using it in my work. :-/