Studio lighting for white backgrounds
Getting a studio quality pure white background is harder then it sounds. Digital photo expert Gavin Hoey demonstrates a simple two light set up that will give you great portrait lighting every time. Lights: Elinchrom D-Lite www.gavinhoey.co.uk
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Proper technique: 1) incident reading on background 1/3 to 1/2 stop over camera setting, check for uniformity across the entire background. 2) incident reading of background bounced light onto the subject. 3) If the bounced light coming back to the subject from the flashed background exceeds the camera setting which was derived from the key light setting, it will probably cause lens flare and reduced contrast. To fix, reduce the background light until this is no longer the case.
Frank, that’s good advice but it does depend on the type background being used. That background in the video was horrible (think big tea bag) and was binned.
I now use white vinyl which reflects more light, so I light it a lot less.
I also use Lastolite Highlites which are amazing and need a different approach again.
Bottom line… Different set ups need different lighting techniques. Check the camera as you go and learn what works for you.
Hi,
That’s why you should use reflective metering, that takes into account the brightness and material of the background, so you have a steady start point without any need to guess or double check.
With incident you’re never ever measuring the background.
With reflective you can use whatever background you want, be it gray, white or yellow and turn it into anything brightness wise you want.
It’s also great to measure shadow areas.
nikon D700
sweet model
Good introduction, but i would prefer much bigger softbox…
i agree with u……!
i agree with your comments. I experienced low contrast when i was in studio yesterday. Your comments are accurate.
are the background and foreground lights continuous??
Yes… I did find it useful.
Yes… it did work spot on.
Thanks for sharing, and end a lot of frustrations since Christmas.
what about black backgrounds?
Does anyone know how to make a white background blue? I have the blue filter, but when lighting the model, you flash out the blue of the background
Trial & error, but try this.
Put the blue gel over the background light and turn the power right down.
Light your model so little or no light spills onto the background (havng them stand away from the background helps).
With a white background expect to see a pastel blue colour
Thanks for your help! I’ll try
@dontxtalk: Try using a daylight balanced fluorescent light for the background. It’s cooler than the flash so with WB set for flash your background should light blue.
I used to think you have to go pay a lot money 2 have this type of picture taken. But all you need is a pure white background and 2lights and a 10maga pixel camera or higher!! and you can make yourself look like you do modeling!!
But he’s right, if you take pictures just a white background alone it’ll look grayish white.
Thanks Gavin your videos are great. Very informative. You are also the only guy on here to talk about using the light meter for the white background. Thanks for your help.
thanks
thank you, this was very useful!
Thank You!
I love your tutorials!!! You are soooo helpful! I have a question though. I am looking for some budget lighting but I know nothing about lighting…do I need a constant light? a strobe light? What kiind are you using in this video? What kind do you recommend? I’m in a rut!
glad I found your channel!
BG 2 stops brighter than subject, very helpful info!
So the “secret” here is more light on the background than the model….
You are the cutest. I love listening to your tutorials.
haha when hes speeded the vid up it was like he was a Sim XD